From the Department of Primary Industries

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

FISHING LICENCE FEES TO INCREASE BUT BENEFITS CONTINUE

Recreational fishing licence fees will increase by around 10 per cent from 1 August 2008 in line with accumulated increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) over the past four years.

Executive Director Fisheries Victoria, Dr Peter Appleford said this will be the first increase in fees since 1 January 2004, when fees rose in line with CPI increases over the previous three years.

“Fishing licence fees do not increase on an annual basis because small increases in the CPI each year translate into only very minor fee increases that are difficult to administer.|

“It therefore makes more sense to increase fees every few years,” Dr Appleford said.

“It is important to remember that all additional revenue received from the price increase will be directed to the dedicated Trust Account to fund projects that improve recreational fishing in Victoria.

“Projects funded include the construction of fishing platforms and jetties to improve angleraccess, fish stocking of popular species such as trout and Murray cod, and research to better understand our fisheries and manage them in a sustainable manner.”

To learn more about projects funded from RFL revenue refer to page 12 of the 2007/08 Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide, which is available free from most good tackle shops, Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Offices, on-line at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing or by ringing the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Recreational fishing licences are available at more than 950 retail outlets across Victoria or can be purchased on-line with a credit card via www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing.

Applying the increase will result in the following licence fee changes: