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

OEM REPORTS ON FISHING

VRFish, Victoria’s Peak Body representing all recreational fishing interests, commends the Office of the Environmental Monitor, in reporting on the assessment of fish stocks and behaviours during the initial stages of the Port of Melbourne Corporation Channel Deepening Project.

Whilst it may appear that the Channel Deepening Project has had little effect at this snapshot in time (January to April 2008), it should be noted that many reports provided to VRFish by experienced anglers during February and March 2008, indicate the process was and is currently acting as a huge burley pot, chopping up and distributing benthic food sources from the upper layers of the material in the areas dredged.

It should also be noted the Channel Deepening Project did not commence dredging works until February and then it was very restricted in locations and amounts it could dredge due to ongoing court action between Blue Wedges Inc and the Federal Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett, over the legitimacy of the approvals process.

When assessing fish stocks it is considered that much longer time frames are required to adequately comment on the status of those stocks and the causes and effects relating to those assessments.

According to Department of Primary Industries fisheries research the current good levels of snapper stocks and high catch rates is attributable to successful breeding seasons back in 2000/2001, which is obviously beyond the time frame of the Channel Deepening Project. Even so, a sharp decline in snapper recruitment was observed over the 2005/2006 season which coincided in the early part with the Trial Dredging Programme, but no firm conclusions have yet been drawn regarding this coincidence of timing.

The Channel Deepening Project is in its early days, however, VRFish encourages the Office of the Environmental Monitor and Fisheries Victoria, to continue to cast an eagle eye over the project to accurately report on the outcomes as they come to hand even though the true effects may not be realised for some years to come.

VRFish is concerned with the delay in presenting this information, as it is now over three months after the period being investigated. Victoria’s recreational fishing community would expect an improvement in this reporting timeframe, especially as we approach the testing for possible contaminants in Port Phillip Bay fishes as part of the ‘rulebook’ for the Channel Deepening Project monitoring programme.

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