Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group Meeting 28

16 August 2016 - Location: Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne

Chairperson's Summary

This was the 28th meeting of the Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group.

Key items discussed included:

  • RFL funded monitoring of recreational fisheries.
  • RFL – Marketing & Communications Plan
  • Review of Large Grants assessment process
  • Review of Small Grant Conditions and guidelines

RFL funded monitoring of recreational fisheries

The RFGWG were provided with an informative presentation on how funds from the RFL Trust Account are used by Fisheries Victoria to monitor both commercial and recreational catches of key species of finfish through the 'Marine and estuarine finfish monitoring' and 'Statewide angler diary' programs.

RFL – Marketing & Communications Plan

The RFGWG were provided with provided with an evaluation of the outputs of the 2014-16 RFL Expenditure - Communications Plan. The Working Group were also presented with a draft 2016-18 RFL Expenditure – Communications Plan which proposes to spend $96,000 from the RFL Trust Account. Endorsement of this draft 2016-18 Communications Plan is required from the RFGWG before a brief is prepared to the Minister seeking approval to spend RFL funds for this purpose.

Review of Large Grants assessment process

The RFGWG reviewed the 2015/16 large grant assessment process and discussion was had on the assessment criteria, and the quantitative and qualitative assessment processes. It was recommended that the assessment criteria should be re-worded to make them clearer. 

Review of Small Grant Conditions and guidelines

There was some general discussion on the conditions and guidelines associated with the Small Grants Program and the Working Group felt that they could be improved.

Next meeting: 22 March 2017

Rob Loats

Chairperson

Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group