Issue 120, 27 May2004

Greater Protection for Port Phillip Bay’s Dolphins Proposed

Port Phillip Bay's bottlenose dolphins will receive greater protection under proposed new regulations. Under the proposed regulations, the size of exclusion zones around dolphins will be increased and commercial operators will be limited in the number of approaches they can make during dolphin sightseeing and "swim tours".

People will still be able to experience dolphins close up in the water during swim tours by the operators and privately. Dolphins often approach very close to swimmers in the water but it is important to minimise the impact of motorised vessels.

The Ticonderoga Bay Sanctuary, a refuge for dolphins north-west of Portsea, near Point Nepean, could also be extended under the proposals. This area is important as it is recognised as a rest area for the dolphins.

The proposed changes were in response to research showing that Port Phillip Bay's dolphins are vulnerable to extinction and that human interference with the population – which stands at around 80 – is on the rise.

Dolphins share their habitat with a large number of vessels – from high and low speed recreational boats and commercial ships, through to passenger ferries and tour operations. Due to their frequent interaction and proximity to the dolphins, swim-tour boats can potentially have a significant impact. Limiting the number of approaches these boats can make is therefore critical if we are to reduce the risk of stress, injury or worse.

It is proposed that within the Ticonderoga Bay Sanctuary, the minimum required distance between motorised boats (which includes swim tour, commercial sightseeing and private boats) and dolphins be doubled to 200 metres.

Research carried out by the Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism has shown that increasing levels of interaction by swim tour boats – and, to a lesser extent, recreational vessels – have led to increases in "avoidance behaviour" by dolphins. This behaviour is indicative of disturbance and stress.

According to the same research, boat activity close to the dolphins could lead to a reduction in the Bay's breeding population – a potential threat to their survival.

The public has the opportunity to comment on the proposed new regulations. For more information on the proposed new regulations visit www.dse.vic.gov.au
Gippsland Bream Stocking Completed

On 17th May, Fisheries Officers released 7,000 black bream fingerlings into the lower reaches of the Perry River, a short distance upstream of its junction with the Avon River.

These bream complement the release of 14,000 black bream fingerlings released into the Gippsland Lakes system (Nicholson River and Tom’s Creek) last month as outlined in Fish Fax 118.

Fisheries Enforcement News

In April, a man from Flinders was fined $3,500 for abalone poaching. He was one of 3 men caught taking 36 green-lipped abalone and 5 other abalone at Flinders in September of last year. The court heard that the man had 10 green-lipped abalone hidden on his person when intercepted by Fisheries Officers at Flinders Pier. The other men, one from Balnarring and the other from Rosebud South were each fined $5,000 with conviction.

Three people from St. Albans were fined $200 each and had all seized equipment forfeited for taking fish from a Marine National Park. The offences were committed near Point Lonsdale in June of last year.

In January, a person from Beverford, near Swan Hill, was fined $1,000 for hatching/breeding fish for sale without authority, possessing fish taken illegally, possessing under size fish and possessing berried female freshwater crayfish. The offences were committed at Beverford in July 2003.

A person from Belmont, near Geelong, was convicted and fined $2,500 and had all seized equipment forfeited, for using commercial fishing equipment without authority, using/possessing commercial abalone equipment, taking/possessing under size fish. The offences were committed near Sugarloaf Hill in May 2003.

Victorian Water Level Update

For the week ending 17th May, 2004:

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