FROM THE OFFICE OF VRFISH – VICTORIAS’ RECREATIONAL FISHING PEAK BODY

WELCOME TO THE MONTHLY REPORT FROM THE VRFISH OFFICE

January 2008

Devilbend Progress
Parks Victoria released the Devilbend Community Workshop outcomes held in
November 2007. This workshop was well attended by several VRFish Members and other key fishing groups, such as Mornington Peninsula Fly Fishers, Fisheries Victoria and Fishcare. The workshop outcomes will be used to assist in the development of the Draft Management Plan which is planned to be released in the first half of 2008. Once released the plan will be placed on public display for 60 days when the community will have another change to provide input into the future of Devilbend Reserve. To read the workshop inputs and background material go to http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/3devilbend.cfm

Fish Lesions
During January 2008 the Department of Primary Industries received a number of reports of a large number or moribund flathead in the shallows in an area ranging from Point Cook to Williamstown. Environment Protection Authority (EPA) staff collected several fish species and water samples over a two week period, assisted by DPI. All fish samples collected were transported to DPI Attwood laboratories for pathological examination. The analysis of these fish identified clear evidence of skin ulceration. Analysis did not identify a causative agent. It is likely that the condition is a natural event cause by an environmental stressor such as changes in water temperature or salinity. The analysis of fish samples has thus far been
unable to identify the cause of the lesions. EPA is planning to undertake further toxicology testing and possibly pathology testing depending on the species collected. VRFish continues to encourage recreational fishers to follow the Department of Health warning not to consume any sick fish.

Abalone Bait Ban
VRFish has advocated to Fisheries Victoria the introduction of a voluntary ban on the use of abalone as bait until the threat of the abalone virus has passed. The virus, which has now spread from as far as Cape Bridgewater to Peterborough, affects the nervous tissues of
abalone and rapidly causes death. VRFish has decided to advocate this voluntary ban as an extra precautionary measure to try and prevent the translocation of the virus to non affected areas. This follows consultation with the VRFish State Council, which revealed that abalone gut is rarely used and therefore this potential disease vector can be eliminated
without great affect on fishers.

VRFish Coming To Queenscliff
The next regional VRFish State Council Meeting is to be held at the Primary
Industries Research Victoria (PIRVic) facility in Queenscliff from Saturday 1 to Sunday 2 March 2008. VRFish will be hearing presentations from Fisheries Victoria on the Fisheries Regulations 1998 review, Regulatory Impact Statement and the proposed model for the Fisheries Advisory Board, Issues Paper. A key research presentation will be received from Simon Conron on ‘New and Innovative Approaches to Monitoring Smallscale Recreational Fisheries’. Other key policy items will also be discussed over the two days, if you keen to
come along and meet some of the VRFish Members or hear the presentations, please contact Alison for further details 03 9686 7077.

Stream Classification Update
The Stream Classification Committee is progressing well to implement the Government Electoral Promise to work with anglers to develop a classification for Victorian rivers and streams, highlighting commitment to both trout and native fisheries. The Committee has now completed a Project Initiation Document, a Project Plan with key timelines,
Definitions relating to key components, an early preliminary draft of a model that will be further developed over the coming meetings and an early preliminary classification of five key rivers in the North East. Consultation will be undertaken with North East recreational fisheries, water managers, catchment management authorities and other key stakeholders over the coming months to further develop the initial classification model.

Channel Deepening Project Notice to Mariners
Port of Melbourne Corporation (PoMC) have released a Notice to Mariners regarding the dredging and associated operations within Port waters. Information regarding the location of daily operations and movements within Port Phillip Bay south can be obtained from
Port Lonsdale Signal Station on VHF Channel 12. A Dredged Material Ground has been established Further details regarding the operations can be obtained from Channel Deepening website www.channelproject.com or telephone 1800 731 022. PoMC have requested that mariners navigating in the vicinity of any operations shall proceed with caution, and reduce speed having due regard to the safety of the operation. VRFish has
created a one-stop-shop for information on the Channel Deepening Project – check it out at
http://www.vrfish.com.au/CDP.htm

Court Challenge
Blue Wedges Coalition has won the right to challenge federal Environment Minister Peter
Garrett’s decision to approve the project. Justice Tony North set down a hearing date of February 20 to consider the group’s challenge. The affidavit submitted to the court says the project will have an effect on sea levels, which means Minister for Climate Change Penny Wong should have also been involved in the approval process. Minister Garrett has finally approved the Environmental Management Plan giving the go ahead for the Project to start. Works are to commence dredging works at Rosebud.

MDBC Have Stopped Pretending to be Pirates
Inland recreational fishers would be pleased to note, that the Murray Darling Basin Commission have finally removed the offensive skull and crossbones from the trout fact sheets available to view on their website. VRFish wrote to MDBC acknowledging the removal of the images and expressing that we found the images appalling, offensive and completely inappropriate for an agency such as the MDBC to display!

Message from DSE re Martha Cove
The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) has received a number of queries regarding public access for recreational fishing purposes at the recently developed Martha
Cove, Safety Beach. The Martha Cove development Safety Beach incorporates what was known as Tassells creek and part of the immediate surrounds of the creek entrance into Port Phillip Bay. The rock groynes form part of the DSE lease and freehold land, and as such there is no right of public access. As well, the rock groynes were built as overtopping structures, which under moderate to severe sea conditions would be inappropriate for public access. Tassells creek is also freehold land which is now incorporated into the Martha
Cove development, and as such there is no right of public access.

Monitors Appointed
Mick Bourke (Chairman of EPA Victoria), has been appointed the Independent
Environmental Monitor of the Port Phillip Bay Channel Deepening Project has advised that online updates will be available to view on the Monitors website www.oem.vic.gov.au. The site will provide environmental monitoring throughout the year and would also provide daily information about bay beaches during the summer months. The website will consolidate existing monitoring programs, such as seagrass density, fish breeding and populations, water quality, nitrogen cycling and chemical analysis. Recreational users will be
able to access updates on water quality from fixed sites in the bay. Weekly updates on results will be published, with daily forecasts on swimming conditions at bay beaches during summer.

Position Available Recfish Australia
Expressions of Interest are being called for the position of Chief Executive Officer of Recfish Australia. Further information can be obtained by calling Mr. Bruce Schumacher
0418 499 322 or visiting www.recfish.com.au. Applications should clearly demonstrate they address the selection criteria and be received by Friday 14th March 2008 to A/CEO and Chair of Board, Mr. Bruce Schumacher c/- admin@recfish.com.au

Upcoming Events
- 13/2 – North West CONS meeting @ Epsom DPI Offices
- 20/2 – Port Phillip CONS meeting @ Geelong DPI Offices
- 27/2 – South West CONS meeting @ Ballarat DPI Offices
- 5/3 – Gippsland CONS meeting @ Traralgon DPI Offices
- 29/2 – Recreational Fishing Licence Grant Program closes www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing
- 29/2 – VRFish Board Meeting @ PIRVic Queenscliff
- 1-2/3 – VRFish State Council Meeting @ PIRVic Queenscliff

Alison Gibson
VRFish Administration Officer
VRFish – Victoria’s Recreational Fishing Peak Body
Marine House, Ground Floor, 24 York Street South Melbourne Vic 3205
Telephone: 9686 7077 Facsimile: 9682 1066 Web: www.vrfish.com.au