From the Minister for Agriculture

Wednesday, 28 November, 2007

HELPER APPLAUDS FISHING’S ‘REEL SCIENTISTS’

Victoria’s Minister for Agriculture, Joe Helper, today applauded the volunteer efforts of expert anglers who are helping gather information about recreational fishing and fish stocks.

Mr Helper met with a team of volunteer “reel scientists” in Warrnambool telling them their Research Angler Program had provided an invaluable service.

“These specialist anglers are passionate about fishing and are keen to contribute their expertise to help us manage Victoria’s precious fisheries resources,” Mr Helper said.

“Their extensive experience and meticulous record keeping are providing us with insights we wouldn’t normally have.

“The Brumby Government is investing funds from Recreational Fishing Licences to help support this program and other important projects to improve recreational fishing opportunities.”

Mr Helper presented one of the anglers, Ken Radley, with a certificate of appreciation for his 10 years of volunteer service with the program.

“Ken has made a fantastic voluntary contribution to our whole community, adding to knowledge of fish in the Glenelg and Hopkins Rivers and helping us properly manage our natural resources,” Mr Helper said.

“He has been collecting information on black bream in the Glenelg and Hopkins Rivers in autumn and late spring and capturing a range of target species to provide information on the fish abundance and size.”

Mr Helper said the information collected in this area had now become a vital part of the monitoring programs under the Glenelg Hopkins Fishery Management Plan.

The ‘reel scientists’ are provided with special permits and they fish using a range of hooks and baits so they can collect information on both large and small fish.

Mr Helper said the program has also provided valuable information on other areas including:

- Assessment of other black bream fisheries across the State.
- Assessment of the 'pinky' snapper fishery in Port Phillip Bay; and
- Investigation of hook types and handling practices that could maximise the survival chances of undersize bream caught and released by anglers.