New plan revealed to manage Victorian pipis

18 October 2018

The Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) has unveiled the state’s first Victorian Pipi Fishery Management Plan to ensure the fishery remains productive and sustainable for future generations to enjoy.

Victorian Fisheries Authority CEO Travis Dowling said the plan will ensure the fishery remains viable, profitable and sustainable for all users of the resource.

“The new plan sets out the management objectives for the fishery over the next five years in accordance with the requirements of the Fisheries Act 1995,” Mr Dowling said.

The key objectives of the Management Plan are to ensure the long-term sustainability of the pipi fishery, equitable resources access and use and cost effective and participatory management. Some of the actions to achieve these objectives include:

• Transitioning the commercial fishery to a quota-managed fishery with individual transferable quotas set by management zones;
• Developing a harvest strategy within five years as information from the fishery and research projects becomes available;
• Establishing a forum that involves flora, fauna and public land management agencies and stakeholders to ensure identified risks are appropriately managed;
• Working collaboratively with Aboriginal organisations, groups, individuals and recognised Traditional Owners to support Aboriginal and Traditional Owner participation in pipi management;
• Retaining the ‘recreational pipi fishing only’ areas in eastern Victoria where recreational harvest of pipi is most popular; and
• Maintaining recreational bag and possession limits.

Mr Dowling said the plan was prepared in consultation with an independently-chaired, stakeholder based, steering committee comprised of representatives from the commercial and recreational fishing sectors with input from Traditional Owners, conservation representatives and other stakeholders.

“The implementation of these strategies will occur in partnership with all relevant stakeholders including land and water managers within government.”

“Victoria’s pipi fishery is a relatively small, but high value fishery. It is vital we continue to look after this important fishery by ensuring it remains sustainable.”

A full copy of the plan is available at www.vfa.vic.gov.au/pipiplan

Contact Sonia Talman at sonia.talman@vfa.vic.gov.au or (03) 8392 6853 for more information.