From the Department of Primary Industries

Thursday 6 December 2007

HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE WIMMERA FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN

Fisheries Victoria is calling on recreational fishers and the community to have their say about an inland fishery management plan being developed for the Wimmera region.

Executive Director of Fisheries Victoria, Dr Peter Appleford, said the plan will identify measures to manage fishing in the lakes and rivers of the region.

“The region supports freshwater blackfish, Murray cod, redfin, brown trout and rainbow trout
fisheries in the region’s rivers and lakes,” Dr Appleford said.

“These fisheries provide significant social and economic value to the region’s communities.

“Popular recreational fisheries include the Wimmera River and lakes such as Wartook, Bellfield and Fyans.

“An important part of developing the Plan is to identify the values associated with recreational fishing across the region.

“I urge all interested fishers to attend one of the meetings and contribute to the future of fishing in their community.”

A steering committee, established to assist with the preparation of the Plan, is keen to know:

• What fish species are most important to recreational fishers in the region?
• What fishing locations are most important to you?
• How can recreational fishing be improved in the region?

The steering committee will be independently chaired by Kevin Drinkell and will have
representatives from the Victorian Recreational Fishing Peak Body (VRFish), the Fisheries Comanagement Council, Indigenous interests, the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority, Parks Victoria, GWM Water, the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), and the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

The following public meetings are scheduled:

1. Horsham:Wednesday 12 December 2007 at 7:00pm, Grains Innovation Park, 110 Natimuk Rd;
2. Stawell: Thursday 13 December 2007 at 7:00pm, University of Ballarat, Cnr Sloane & Skene St.

If people cannot attend a public meeting they can provide their views in writing to Fisheries
Victoria. Written submissions should be sent to Luke Cromie, Manager Fisheries Resource
Planning, GPO Box 4440 Melbourne VIC 3001 or email – luke.cromie@dpi.vic.gov.au, by 5pm Friday, 11 January 2008.

Further information can be obtained by phoning Mr Cromie on 03 9658 4364.