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

Fish-Fax issue 167, 16th March 2006

Public comment sought for Mallacoota Inlet Fisheries Reserve Management Plan

Recreational anglers and other interested parties have two months to comment on the Draft Mallacoota Inlet Fisheries Reserve (MIFR) Management Plan.

Mallacoota Inlet, Anderson Inlet and Lake Tyers were declared fisheries reserves as part of the Government's election commitment to recreational fishing. The fisheries reserves have been established to provide enhanced recreational fishing opportunities and to improve the management and monitoring of fishing activities.

The development of a Draft MIFR Management Plan has been supported by a steering committee of interested stakeholders including the Victorian Recreational Fishing peak body (VRFish), the Fisheries Co-management Council (FCC), Parks Victoria, the East Gippsland Shire Council, local Indigenous groups and the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority. The Draft MIFR Management Plan specifies management arrangements for fishing activities within the MIFR for the next 10 years. The plan includes strategies to monitor fishery trends and the status of key target species, and research to identify key fish habitats in the inlet.

A copy of the Draft MIFR Management Plan can be obtained from www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing , by contacting the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Customer Service Centre on 136 186, or from the DPI Office at the corner of Buckland and Allen Drives, Mallacoota.

Written submissions on the Draft MIFR Management Plan should be sent to Ms Jodie Simpson, Fisheries Planning Officer, Fisheries Victoria, PO Box 483 , Bairnsdale, VIC, 3875 or email – Jodie.Simpson@dpi.vic.gov.au , by the close of business on Tuesday 9 May 2006.

Fishing great and here to stay

The Minister responsible for Fisheries, Bob Cameron, has described recreational fishing as a great activity for Victorians and said it is here to stay. Mr. Cameron was responding to a campaign to ban fishing by the United States based animal welfare group PETA.

The Government recognises that fishing is a great outdoor activity and has continued its support of recreational fishing with a 30 percent increase in fish stockings, as well as expending $5 million on projects to enhance recreational fishing through the Recreational Fishing Grants Program. In addition, $3.2 million has been dedicated to recreational fishing in the Government's Provincial Statement – Moving Forward (as reported in Fish-e-Fax Issue 159).

Catch a Carp Day

Sunday 19 March is the date for this years ‘Catch a Carp' day at the Port of Bairnsdale . This year anglers can register from 7am on the day with weigh-in at 2:30pm. Entry is free and prizes will be awarded in junior and open classes for the most number of carp caught and for the heaviest carp. All entrants will also be in the lucky draw to win a holiday at Bemm River .

Displays, activities and carp tasting will run throughout the day at the Port of Bairnsdale . For more information contact Fishcare on 5152 0456 or visit the DPI office, 574 Main Street , Bairnsdale.

13-FISH Reporting line hooks hundreds of illegal fishers

Reports from members of the community to the 13-FISH (13 3474) reporting line are having a major impact on illegal fishing in Victorian waters, the Minister Responsible for Fisheries, Bob Cameron has announced.

Mr Cameron said Victoria 's Northern Region - which runs along the Murray River - and the Port Phillip region were the biggest hotspots for illegal activity.

Latest figures show that since its launch in September 2003, more than 3000 calls have been received by the hotline. As a direct result of these calls more than 180 infringement notices have been issued and at least 30 prosecutions have been successfully achieved.

Of a total number of reports, 618 related directly to suspected illegal fishing activities involving abalone and 569 to suspected illegal activity involving other marine fisheries.

Mr Cameron said significant information related to illegal fishing activity had also been recorded in other regions. Helpful information to record for the hotline includes registration numbers, descriptions of people involved and the type, time, date and location of the observed activity, with all information able to be kept confidential.

The 13 FISH (13 3474) service has been supported by regular fishing enforcement operations at peak times and reinforced by tough new fisheries legislation introduced by the Government in 2004.

Enforcement News

A Melbourne man who pleaded guilty to taking 30 kg of abalone from Waratah Bay has been sentenced to two years jail for abalone poaching. The man, who had eight prior convictions dating back to 1989 relating to abalone theft, had a three-month suspended sentence for perjury re-imposed. He will be in jail for a minimum of 13 months.

He was the first Victorian to be tried and jailed in the County Court under new laws making poaching an indictable offence. His dive gear was forfeited and the motor vehicle being used at the time of the offence is still subject to forfeiture.

Indictable offences in the Fisheries Act came into force in April 2004, and offenders now face large fines and up to 10 years jail when caught.