The Conservation and Land Management Department (calm) of the W.A. Government has effectively banned windsurfing, kite, and catamaran sailing in perhaps the most popular, and best sailing bay in the west.
It has established a Marine Park in the area, and from July 1st 2008 prohibited all power craft from speeds above 8 knots to protect seals and bird life. Non-motorised vessels and craft are encouraged to comply with this limit.
This will shut down all fun sailing in the bay, as I am sure that if the limits are consistantly flouted then it is easy to extend the ban to law. I guess (for me living in the middle the bay) I will have to transit the area as slowly as possible until I am offshore and then work windward to Safety Bay. The crazy 30kt downwind rides back home in breaking water off the reefs will be dangerous but fun, last year I would sometimes chicken out, and run home thru the bay!
The sad thing about all this is that PETER DANS is a CALM Officer and part of the planning team. He won the world speed trials held in Shoalwater bay in 1984 with a then incredible speed of 29 Kts on his Gaastra powered windsurfer.
If anyone knows where Peter is they could encourage him to tell us more about the implementation of this ban in this forum.