Current consultation

The VFA is seeking feedback on the draft Trawl (Inshore) Fisheries Notice 2026/27.

The draft Fisheries Notice proposes to maintain the 100kg bycatch limit on the take and possession of octopus as well as the 30-tonne fishery-wide cap.

How to make a submission:

Please provide any comments regarding the draft Fisheries Notice to Candice Harwood, Fishery Manager via email  candice.harwood@vfa.vic.gov.au

Closing date for submissions: 8 November 2026.

The VFA is seeking feedback on the draft Further Quota Order (FQO) and draft Fisheries (Banded Morwong) Notice 2027.

The draft FQO proposes to maintain the Total Allowable Commercial Catch for Banded Morwong at its current level 2,044 fish for the season commencing 1 January 2027 ending 31 December 2027

The draft Fisheries Notice proposes to maintain the arrangements implemented in 2025, to continue to reduce the closed season to two months (March-April) rather than three (February-April 1).

How to make a submission:

Please provide any comments regarding the draft FQO and draft Fisheries Notice to Candice Harwood, Fishery Manager via email  candice.harwood@vfa.vic.gov.au

Closing date for submissions: 8 November 2026.

The VFA is seeking feedback on the draft Fisheries (Recreational Abalone Open Days) Notice 2026/2027.

The draft Fisheries Notice outlines recreational abalone fishing open days in central Victorian Waters for the 2026/27 financial year. The proposed open days include all weekends and Victorian public holidays between 16 November 2026 to 30 April 2027; and the weekdays between 25 December 2026 and 10 January 2027.

How to make a submission:

Please provide any comments regarding the draft Fisheries Notice to Nick Gall, Abalone Fishery Manager via email  nick.gall@vfa.vic.gov.au

Closing date for submissions: 26 October 2026.

Fisheries (Ocean Access Vessel Monitoring) Notice 2026/2027

The VFA is seeking feedback on the draft Fisheries (Ocean Access Vessel Monitoring) Notice 2026/2027.

The draft Fisheries Notice proposes to maintain the arrangements implemented in 2024, to continue to prohibit the use of a boat under an Ocean Fishery Access Licence (OFAL) unless it has a vessel monitoring system installed and operating.

How to make a submission:

Please provide any comments regarding the draft Fisheries Notice to Candice Harwood, Fishery Manager via email  candice.harwood@vfa.vic.gov.au

Closing date for submissions: 12 October 2026.

29 September to 12 October 2026

To seek feedback on the Draft Point Lillias Aquaculture Fisheries Reserve Management Plan.

Consultation on the draft management plan will be open from 30 August 2026 to 30 October 2026.

Any submissions received in relation to the consultation being conducted by the VFA will be published on the VFA’s website.

In making a submission, unless the person making the submission indicates to the contrary, they will be consenting to their submission, including their name only (details of postal or email address will not be listed), being published on the VFA’s website for 90 days from the conclusion of the consultative process.

Please provide any comments regarding the Draft Point Lillias Aquaculture Fisheries Reserve Management Plan in writing to Sonia Talman at 
sonia.talman@ vfa.vic.gov.au by no later than
30 October 2026.