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

WELCOME TO THE MONTHLY REPORT FROM THE VRFISH OFFICE

July 2008

This newsletter should be sent on to all clubs and members of associations that you represent. Anyone wishing to receive this newsletter directly can e-mail Alison at alison@vrfish.com.au or phone (03) 9686 7077 to be added to the distribution list. If you have any difficulty reading or receiving this Report, this month's edition is also now on our website at http://www.vrfish.com.au/news_index.htm

Special Edition
In the past month two major issues have been presented to VRFish for consideration and input, VRFish felt it appropriate to limit this edition of the newsletter to these major issues.

Regulation Review
Fisheries Victoria has released an exposure draft for the revision of the Fisheries Regulations until Friday 1 August 2008. For a copy of the draft regulations go to www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing Some helpful information sheets and a feedback form have been produced by Fisheries Victoria to assist recreational fishers understand the proposed changes and to seek their input, instead of reading 371 pages of regulations!

VRFish undertook a preliminary consultation process with recreational fishers in 2007 and fed these results through to Fisheries Victoria for their consideration in developing the new regulations. A copy of this original submission is available to view the VRFish website http://www.vrfish.com.au/Submissions.htm

VRFish has produced a comparison table showing the differences between the current (old) regulations, VRFish’s 2007 recommendations and the 2008 proposed (new) regulations, highlighting where VRFish’s recommendations have not been taken up. Also included in this table are comments from Fisheries Victoria explaining the rationale for the changes to the regulations. This comparison table has been posted on the VRFish website www.vrfish.com.au VRFish asks that you send them a copy of the Fisheries Victoria feedback form, as well as submit it to Fisheries Victoria.

One of the most significant changes is to gear entitlements, with a proposed state-wide introduction of three (3) rods in all waters, marine or inland. Other notable changes on the freshwater side is the increase to Murray cod minimum size limit from 50cm to 60cm and the standardising of trout regulations, a catch limit of 5 trout and salmon for lakes and rivers of which no more than 2 can be greater than 35cm.

On the marine side, snapper is to be kept at a catch limit of 10 with no more than 3 greater than 40cm. Mulloway, increasing the size limit from 50cm to 60cm and reducing the catch limit from 10 to 5. Tuna, reduce the catch limit to 2, with no more than 1 greater than 120cm.

Make sure you have the latest version of the feedback form, as some of the earlier editions had a mistake regarding the catch limit for leatherjacket! Also one other regulation change for recreational fishing, that has not been included in the feedback form, is the reduction in the number of hoop nets you can have in inland waters, this has been reduced from 10 to 5. If you wish to comment on this regulation change – make sure you add it as an additional point.

Regulations stay in place for 10 years, so it is important that you, a Victorian Recreational Fisher, contributes to this process. Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the VRFish Office 9686 7077, if you would like a copy of the feedback form click here or give us a call and we will send one to you.

Victorian Fisheries Consultative Arrangements Review
The government is currently reviewing how it consults with the fishing industry, including the commercial sector, aquaculture sector, indigenous sector, conservation sector and the recreational sector.

The government has presented two options:

Option A is the creation of the Fisheries Management Advisory Body, where each of the abovementioned sectors would get a seat on this advisory body to provide representative advice to the Minister and DPI on fisheries management issues.

Option B is a direct consultative arrangement, whereby the government would directly consult with affected stakeholders. Also regular stakeholder forums would be convened to allow for a broad range of stakeholder views to be presented.

A detailed explanation of these options are detailed in a Fisheries Management Paper, VRFish strongly encourages everyone to read over this document and background papers, a link has been created on the VRFish website to the DPI website www.vrfish.com.au

One of the results of adopting Options A or B is demise of the Fisheries Co-management Council (FCC). This organisation provided independent advice to the Minister on any matter relating to fisheries management. The FCC framework brought all sectors together working collectively for the betterment of Victoria’s fisheries. VRFish would like to publicly thank the members, past and present, of the FCC for all their hard work and commitment over the past 13 years.

Another group that will be replaced is the Fisheries Revenue Allocation Committee (FRAC), who annually reviewed all Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) grant applications and provided advice to the Minister on grants that would improve recreational fishing in Victoria. Again VRFish would like to publicly thank the members, past and present, of the FRAC for all their hard work and commitment.

VRFish conducted a workshop with its members on Saturday 5 July 2008; a summary of feedback is now posted on the VRFish website www.vrfish.com.au, this summary also presents an Option C.

Comments are due to the government by Friday 25 July 2008. VRFish strongly encourages all interested stakeholders to review the Fisheries Management Paper and express to the government how you would like to be consulted with.

Upcoming events
- 25/7 - Closing date for submissions to the Fisheries Stakeholder Consultation Review
- 1/8 - Closing date for submissions to the Fisheries Regulation Review

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