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

Fish-Fax issue 170, 27th April 2006

Public comment sought for Glenelg Hopkins Fishery Management Plan

Recreational anglers and other interested parties have two months to comment on the Draft Glenelg Hopkins Fishery Management Plan (GHFMP).

The Draft GHFMP is the culmination of work since June 2005 to specify how to manage recreational fishing activities in the area administered by the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority for the next five years.

The Draft GHFMP has been prepared with assistance from a Steering Committee which has an independent chair and representatives from the Victorian Recreational Fishing peak body (VRFish), the Fisheries Co-management Council, GWM Water, the Department of Sustainability & Environment, the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority and local Indigenous groups.

A copy of the Draft GHFMP can be obtained from www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing or by contacting the Department of Primary Industries Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Written submissions on the Draft GHFMP should be sent to Manager Fisheries Resource Planning, Fisheries Victoria, GPO 4440, Melbourne VIC 3001 or email – Luke. C romie@dpi.vic.gov.au by close of business on 30 June 2006.

New era of fish stocking

The Minister Responsible for Fisheries, Bob Cameron has opened the floodgates to the refurbished fish rearing ponds at the Department of Primary Industries' Snobs Creek facility, that will usher in a new era for Victoria 's freshwater anglers.

The Bracks Government recognises that recreational fishing is a major social and economic contributor to provincial communities and a significant tourist drawcard. The Government has committed an extra $3.2 million over the next four years to boost family friendly recreational fishing opportunities and tourism outcomes.

One part of the project will be the establishment of five ‘Premier Participation Waters' across the state where large two-year old trout, around a kilogram in weight, will be stocked for anglers.

Refurbishing these ponds provides Fisheries Victoria with the resources to confidently tackle the substantial task of growing these fish, which will be up to 20 times the size of trout normally stocked.

This latest initiative follows the Government's decision to bring the production of trout and salmon back ‘in house'.

Loddon River access improved for all

A new all-access pier has been constructed at Bridgewater on the Loddon River . A walking track leading to the pier and the pier itself has been built to provide access to fishing in a safe and serene environment for all members of the community regardless of age or physical ability.

The pier is located at a popular fishing spot, which prior to the construction of the pier, had been inaccessible to people with disabilities. The pier is on the Loddon River west of Eldon Street .

Enforcement news

Two Melbourne men were each convicted and fined a total of $500 and had their fishing gear forfeited at the Bairnsdale Magistrates' Court. Fisheries officers seized nine undersized black bream from the men and handed out educational material regarding bag and size limits before departing.

Around 3am the following morning, the same men were again checked by Fisheries officers as they were leaving the area. A search of their vehicle revealed a further 71 undersized black bream, which were seized along with the men's equipment.

A man caught in a national park, with illegal fish in his car told fisheries officers the fish had been given to him by a friend, it was alleged in court. Fisheries officers observed the man fishing in Mullaroo Creek and stopped him as he was leaving the area. Six golden perch and three silver perch were found on searching his vehicle, of which all the golden perch were under size.

The man told the officers he had not been fishing and gave a false name. The man was convicted and fined $500 in Mildura Magistrates' Court.

Fisheries officers have issued more than 30 penalty notices to anglers for taking undersize snapper from Corio Bay . Two men are set to be charged for taking undersize fish from the area.

Members of the public are reminded to report suspicious or illegal fishing activity to the

13 FISH (13 3474) 24 hour, 7 days a week reporting line.

New Casey Weir fishway

Native fish species, including golden perch, are expected to thrive in the Broken River after the installation of a fishway at the Casey Weir. Migration, both upstream and downstream, is an essential part of many native fish species' life cycles. Such migration allows native fish access to traditional breeding grounds, which were previously inaccessible.