Fisheries Victoria
'A fortnightly round-up of recreational fisheries management issues'

Fish-Fax issue 165, 16th February 2006

Start of the year – Time for Fisheries Victoria to start stocking native fish

Fisheries Victoria 's Native Fish stocking program has got off to a good start with over 95,000 Murray cod being released into northern Victorian waterways. This is the first phase of the nearly 1 million native fish planned to be stocked this season.

The capacity of Eildon Pondage to provide the opportunity to catch a mature trout has continued to be enhanced with 400 mature brown trout and rainbow trout stocked in January.

Recreational abalone fishing days close

Over the Christmas holiday period recreational abalone fishers were provided with the largest continuous block of open days for recreational abalone fishing in central Victorian waters. Of the 60 open, days 34 were during Victoria 's peak holiday period. The season opened on 27 December 2005 and closed on 29 January 2006.

Initial feedback from Senior Fisheries Officers located around Port Phillip Bay and Western Port indicate that most recreational divers are adhering to the new regulations. It has been further observed that there has been a marked reduction in the activities of fish thieves who were masquerading as legitimate abalone fishers for commercial purposes.

The next open fishing periods are: 11 March 2006 to 13 March 2006 inclusive (3 days), 25 & 26 March 2006 ( 2 days), 14 April to 18 April 2006 inclusive (5 days), 22 April to 25 April 2006 inclusive (4 days) and 27 & 28 May 2006 (2 days).

Open days for the 2006/07 season will be determined through consultation with the recreational fishing peak body, VRFish. For further information relating to recreational abalone fishing call the customer service centre on 136186 alternatively visit: www.dpi.vic.gov.au

HAVE YOUR SAY – North East Fishery Management Plan

Fisheries Victoria is calling on recreational fishers and the community to have their say about a fishery management plan being developed for the North East region.

The management plan will identify measures to manage fishing in the lakes and rivers of the region.

The North East supports high quality salmonid, redfin and native recreational fisheries which provide significant social and economic value to the region's communities.

Of note in the region are the popular recreational fishing rivers in the Ovens, Kiewa, Mitta Mitta and Upper Murray Basins and impoundments like Lake Hume and Lake Dartmouth .

An important part of developing the Management Plan is to look at the values and interests associated with recreational fishing across the region.

A Steering Committee, established to assist with the preparation of the Management Plan, is keen to know:

•  What sites and species are the most important for recreational fishing in the North East region?

•  What factors do fishers believe are limiting their ability to target or catch these species?

•  How can recreational fishing opportunities be enhanced in the North East region?

The Steering Committee will be independently chaired by Mr Neil Ward and will have representatives from the Victorian Recreational Fishing peak body (VRFish), the Fisheries Co-management Council, Indigenous interests, North East Catchment Management Authority, Goulburn Murray Water Authority, the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), and the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

DPI is requesting recreational anglers and other interested community groups to attend a public meeting to assist in answering the above questions.

The following public meetings are scheduled:

1. Corryong on 22 February 2006 at 7:00pm, the Shire Council Chambers, Hanson Street ;

2. Wangaratta on 23 February 2006 at 7:00pm, The Centre, Chisholm Street ;

3. Wodonga on 24 February 2006 at 7:00pm, Civic Hall, Hovell Street ;

4. Melbourne on 28 February 2006 at 7:00pm, the Hughes Room, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. 240 Spring St ( Cnr Lonsdale St ), Royal College of Surgeons Gardens . Enter through the columns facing Parliament Underground Station at the top of Lonsdale St and Spring St. Melway 43K7.

People can also provide their views in writing to Fisheries Victoria. Written submissions should be sent to Anthony Plummer, Fisheries Planning Officer, GPO Box 4440 Melbourne VIC 3001 or email – Anthony.Plummer@dpi.vic.gov.au, by close of business on Tuesday 7 March 2006.

There will be further opportunities for community participation in the planning process when the draft Management Plan is released for public comment later in the year.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting Mr Anthony Plummer on 03 9658 4372.