Fishing licence fees fund 12 projects worth $1 million

Fishers in communities around the state will benefit from a dozen different recreational fishing projects thanks to a round of grants worth more than $1 million.

Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne said the grants will fund fish habitat projects and important infrastructure work to make fishing safer and more accessible.

The Gippsland Lakes will receive a major boost, with the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority granted $110,000 to place woody habitat into lakes, which will provide more shelter and feeding sites for black bream, estuary perch and Australian bass.

The Australian Trout Foundation will receive $110,000 to deliver another year of the Victorian Trout Fisheries Management Program, which includes vital monitoring of river populations in the North East and Gippsland.

A further $163,000 will be used to monitor fishers’ catches in Port Phillip, Western Port, Corner Inlet and the Gippsland Lakes.

Report cards for 10 key native fisheries will continue for two more years thanks to a $120,000 grant. This information is keenly digested by hundreds of people every year at the Murray Codference.

Other grants awarded include:

• $39,000 for the North East Catchment Management Authority to install fish habitat at Katie Peters Reserve, near Eskdale;
• $23,000 to help OzFish Unlimited build shellfish reefs in the Tambo Bay area of the Gippsland Lakes;
• $22,000 for solar lighting along the St Helens rock wall in Geelong;
• $25,000 for the Hindmarsh Shire Council to create pedestrian and vehicle access to a new lake in Rainbow;
• $15,000 to realign and secure instream logs through Rochester to enable safe and open passage for fishers in boats;
• $60,000 for Fishcare school visits and fishing workshops;
• $24,000 for the North Central Catchment Management Authority to build more native fish habitat in Box-Pyramid Creek.

The funding will also go towards the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s 2021 Recreational Fishing Guide, as well as fish length rulers and measures for rock lobsters and spiny crayfish.

The grants are funded by recreational fishing licence fees, and more information on recipients and their projects can be found at vfa.vic.gov.au/feesatwork2020.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne

“These projects will boost fish habitat and infrastructure, and encourage more people to get out on the water when it’s safe to do so.”

“This investment will provide a significant boost for local communities to build infrastructure and create programs which make fishing safer and more enjoyable.”