Our freshwater fisheries are in great shape

05 July 2018

A recent follow-up audit of Victoria's freshwater fisheries management has concluded that the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) has responded to all recommendations made by the Victorian Auditor General's Office (VAGO) since it's audit review in 2013. 

Acting VFA CEO Dallas D'Silva said the report findings indicate our freshwater recreational fisheries are in great shape.

"Unprecedented State Government support through the Target One Million plan to get more Victorians fishing, more often, has enabled us to build better recreational fisheries with record investment in fish stocking, river restoration and strong collaboration between government agencies and recreational fishers," Mr D'Silva said.

"The legacy of this work will flow through for decades to come."

"The VAGO report found the VFA has strengthened its alignment with the objectives of the Fisheries Act 1995, improved its engagement with natural resource managers, developed a stronger evidence base to support decision-making and managed freshwater fisheries in an ecologically sustainable manner. 

"The key findings acknowledge the development of a Draft Freshwater Fisheries Management Plan, which provides a new state-wide strategic direction for managing freshwater recreational fisheries over the next decade. 

"As outlined in the Draft Freshwater Fisheries Plan, building great recreational fisheries is about aligning fish, water and land management investment partnerships between agencies, water authorities and anglers.

"The VAGO audit also found the VFA had implemented all recommendations relating to fish stocking and was able to demonstrate the use of scientific data to inform stocking activity, including the recovery of some of our most threatened native fish populations. 

To read a full copy of the VAGO audit report visit https://www.audit.vic.gov.au/report/follow-selected-2012-13-and-2013-14-performance-audits