Fisheries Victoria
Fish-Fax
'A fortnightly round-up of recreational fisheries management issues'

Issue 196, 24 May 2007

$42 million to enhance recreational fishing opportunities for Victorians

The Minister for Agriculture and Minister responsible for Fisheries, Joe Helper, has recently announced a $42 million package that will enhance fishing opportunities and provide for safer recreational activities for all Victorians.

The 2007/08 State Budget delivers on the State Government commitment to boost recreational fishing by creating a new recreational fishing haven, increase fish stocking and provide for improvements to recreational fishing facilities. The importance of the recreational fishing industry to the State’s economy (with its $400 million a year spent on fishing related activities), has been recognised by the State Government.

Initiatives that will provide for better experiences for Victorian fishers include:

Create a new ‘recreational fishing haven’ in Western Port Bay by banning all commercial netting in the bay. A $5 million voluntary licence buy-back and fishing adjustment package for commercial fishing operators will improve saltwater recreational fishing.

A $1.2 million program provided over four years to further increase the stocking of both trout and native fish into Victorian waterways by 30%. This is an additional 430,000 fish to the 1.3 million stocked by Fisheries Victoria each year.

A $1.3 million investment to establish a dedicated native fish production facility in northern Victoria. This will provide a greater opportunity for Fisheries Victoria to produce species such as Murray cod and golden perch ‘in house’ rather than source them from private operators.

A continued commitment of $1.2 million investment to assist the highly successful 13FISH (133 474) hotline in the crackdown on fisheries crime.

$12 million(including the present grant program) to enhance recreational fishing opportunities through initiatives such as:

-An “adopt a stream” program that will fund fishing and community groups on a dollar-for-dollar basis to undertake habitat improvements;
-A specific fish cleaning table grants program will be allocated $150,000 a year over the next three years to all interested fishing groups and local governments to build facilities at their public boat ramps and jetties;
-A trial artificial reef program that will analyse potential benefits for salt water fishers. A number of artificial reefs will be installed and monitored to analyse the benefits the structures may provide to fisher catches;
-The establishment of new fisheries and fishing opportunities such as Devilbend Reservoir on the Mornington Peninsula. New recreational fisheries will be considered where restocking programs have re-established these species to a level that limited fishing can be sustained; and
-Improving angler access to public waterways in the way of paths, fencing, signage and information to anglers.

$20 million generated from boat licence fees to increase the safety and accessibility for recreational boating with new search and rescue vessels, ramps, floating pontoons and community harbours.

$1.2 million investment for the marine Discovery Centre at Queenscliff to support marine education programs for the community.

The budget will assist the Department of Primary Industries commitment to sustain Victoria’s fisheries and secure economic growth within the state.

Release of the Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan

The Minister for Agriculture, Joe Helper declared the Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve (LTFR) Management Plan on 17 May 2007.

The LTFR Management Plan describes:

The geography of Lake Tyers, information on recreational fishing activities and other uses/values of the reserve that may affect recreational fishing opportunities;

- Current management arrangements for fishing activities and for other relevant values/uses of the reserve and surrounds;
-Goals, objectives, performance indicators and actions for management of fishing activities in the LTFR; and
-Processes for participating in management of other relevant non-fishing activities in and around the reserve.

Fisheries Victoria prepared the LTFR Management Plan with the assistance of a stakeholder steering committee. The steering committee included an independent chair and representatives from the Fisheries Co-Management Council, the East Gippsland Shire Council, VRFish, Parks Victoria, the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust and the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.

Copies of the LTFR Management Plan can be obtained from the DPI website www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing or by contacting the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Amendment to Fish-e-Fax Issue 194

Fisheries Victoria would like to make an amendment to a story written in issue 194 that was circulated on 26 April 2007.

Under the heading “2006/07 Native Fish Stocking Summary” it was stated that Recreational Fishing Licence revenue contributed $209,892 to Fisheries Victoria's fish stocking budget of $1.064 million. The correct wording should be that Recreational Fishing Licence revenue of $209,892 supplemented the Fisheries Victoria's fish stocking budget of $1.064 million.