Table 2

Back to the Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan

Table 2: Summary of objectives, strategies and actions for management of the Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve

Objective Strategy Summary of information requirements Performance indicator Actions Schedule Responsibility
Social – to maintain, and where possible, enhance recreational fishing opportunities in Lake Tyers. 1. Monitor fishing values or preferences in Lake Tyers. Periodic surveys of anglers to provide up to date information on fishing values or preferences. Information on profile of recreational fishing collected from at least 200 anglers per survey. Fisheries Victoria to establish periodic surveys of anglers to provide information on fishing values or preferences. The first survey to be conducted within the first two years following declaration of the LTFRMP, and a minimum of one additional survey in the remaining life of the LTFRMP. Fisheries Victoria
     Fisheries Victoria, in consultation with recreational fishing stakeholders, to evaluate possible fishery management actions to maintain or enhance recreational fishing opportunities based on the results of the survey.   Fisheries Victoria
  2. Maintain or enhance levels of satisfaction with fishing opportunities. Periodic surveys of anglers to provide up to date information on levels of fishing satisfaction. A minimum of 60% of fishers satisfied with fishing opportunities. Fisheries Victoria to establish periodic surveys of anglers to provide information on levels of fishing satisfaction. The first survey to be conducted within the first two years following the declaration of the LTFRMP, and a minimum of one additional survey in the remaining life of the LTFRMP. Fisheries Victoria
     Where information collected during periodic angler surveys indicates support for a review of recreational fishery management arrangements in order to maintain or enhance fishing opportunities and experiences, Fisheries Victoria will evaluate possible fishery management actions in consultation with stakeholders.   Fisheries Victoria
  3. Identify and encourage responsible fishing behaviour.    VRFish to facilitate the distribution of the Victorian Recreational Code of Conduct through appropriate metropolitan and regional outlets, including (where available) through Fishcare groups, agents who sell recreational fishing licences, fishing-dependent tourism businesses and fishing clubs.   VRFish
    If new fishing regulations are introduced to define and encourage responsible recreational fishing behaviour, they will reflect the views/values of a majority of recreational fishers. Where information collected during periodic angler surveys (Strategies 1 &2) or other public consultation processes indicates support for a review of recreational fishing controls, Fisheries Victoria will consider this information in future reviews of fishery management arrangements in consultation with stakeholders. Any changes made to recreational fishing controls for cultural or ethical reasons may apply specifically to Lake Tyers, but are more likely to apply Statewide. Review of fishing controls to occur within twelve months following the collection of information indicating a need for a review. Fisheries Victoria
     Information obtained from Lake Tyers regarding dusky flathead catch and size limits to be considered in the recreational catch and size limit review process initiated in 2006. To be considered in broader catch/size limit review scheduled for 2006. Fisheries Victoria
Biological – to conserve and ensure sustainable use of key fish stocks in the estuary. 4. Assess the status of dusky flathead and black bream stocks and ensure sustainable fishing. Time series of information on catch/effort trends, size/age structure and year class strength for black bream and dusky flathead. Establishment of cost effective scientific programs in Lake Tyers to monitor recreational fishery trends and determine patterns of recruitment of black bream and dusky flathead to the fisheries Fisheries Victoria to obtain recreational fishery catch and effort data and size and age composition data for black bream and dusky flathead from periodic creel surveys of Lake Tyers. Periodic angler creel survey – subject to funding, first survey to be conducted within two years following the declaration of the LTFMP and a minimum of one additional survey in the remaining life of the LTFRMP. Fisheries Victoria
    

Fisheries Victoria to maintain or expand the black bream and dusky flathead general angler diary program in Lake Tyers.

General angler diary programs – ongoing subject to funding. Fisheries Victoria
     Fisheries Victoria to maintain or expand the black bream research angler diary program in Lake Tyers, and to investigate the feasibility of recruiting research anglers to provide information on the abundance of both pre-recruit and adult dusky flathead in Lake Tyers Research angler diary programs, ongoing subject to funding. Fisheries Victoria
    Development and implementation of agreed recruitmentrelated reference points that trigger review and adjustment of 'adaptive' fishery management arrangements to ensure continued sustainability. Where information collected during creel surveys or angler diary programs indicates a need to review recreational fishery management arrangements in order to ensure the impacts of fishing are sustainable, Fisheries Victoria will evaluate possible fishery management actions in consultation with stakeholders   Fisheries Victoria
  5. Monitor catch composition and trends for other fishery species. Time series of recreational fishery catch and effort data from periodic angler creel surveys, and or the general angler diary program. Establishment of a cost effective recreational fishing data collection program in Lake Tyers to determine species composition of catches and allow ongoing assessment of fishery trends. Fisheries Victoria, through recreational creel surveys and or general angler diary programs to provide information on catch composition and catch and effort trends. Periodic angler creel surveys – subject to funding, the first creel survey to be conducted within the first two years following the declaration of the LTFRMP and a minimum of one survey in the remaining life of the LTFRMP. Fisheries Victoria
      General angler diary program – ongoing subject to funding Fisheries Victoria
   Time series of commercial bait fishing catch and effort from existing commercial catch/effort monitoring. Maintenance of commercial bait catch and effort data collection. Fisheries Victoria to continue monitoring of commercial bait catches in Lake Tyers via the existing commercial fishery catch/effort monitoring program. Commercial bait catch/effort monitoring program – ongoing Fisheries Victoria
     If information from these monitoring programs indicates changing fishery trends, Fisheries Victoria, in conjunction with stakeholders, to assess the need for further investigation and or to review the adequacy of existing fishery management arrangements   Fisheries Victoria
Environmental – to identify and promote protection of the habitats and environments which are essential for production or maintenance of key fish stocks in the estuary. 6. Identify important habitat requirements for key fishery species. Literature review on known and or suggested fish/habitat associations of dusky flathead. Information on capture locations and diet of adult dusky flathead from recreational fishery monitoring and catch sampling programs. Identification of habitats and environmental conditions that support production of dusky flathead diet items. The collection of information on dusky flathead diet, and the sources of diet items, in Lake Tyers to allow identification of indirect ecological habitat dependencies for dusky flathead. Fisheries Victoria to review literature regarding habitat and environmental conditions required to sustain the production (spawning, recruitment, survival, growth and movement) of dusky flathead and black bream.   Fisheries Victoria
   Seasonal survey of diets of adult and juvenile dusky flathead in Lake Tyers to identify critical ecological habitat dependencies.   Fisheries Victoria to seek partnership funding to investigate the diet and therefore, the ecological habitat dependencies of dusky flathead. Subject to funding, one off study to commence within two years of the declaration of the LTFRMP. Fisheries Victoria
  7. Work with other agencies to promote protection of important fish habitats.   Information on fishery values and habitat requirements of key target species in Lake Tyers are provided to EGCMA and other agencies. Fisheries Victoria to provide available information and advice on fisheries values and important fish habitats during the development and review of the East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy, Regional River Health Strategy, the Regional Forest Plan and any future planning for the Lake Tyers Forest Park. Advice on important fish habitats in Lake Tyers provided within six months of completion of fish habitats and dietary requirements project. Fisheries Victoria
     VRFish, on behalf of recreational fishers and with assistance from Fisheries Victoria, to develop partnership arrangements with the EGCMA, Parks Victoria and VicForests to ensure that potential adverse impacts of catchment, land and waterway use activities on fish habitat and fisheries in Lake Tyers are adequately considered in the development of programs in support of these two strategies.   VRFish
    Information and advice provided to the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and other agencies. Where appropriate, Fisheries Victoria to provide policy and technical advice to EGCMA and other agencies (including VicForests and Parks Victoria) to assist them to identify and develop priority projects and programs to ameliorate or prevent adverse impacts of catchment, land and waterway use activities on fish habitats and fisheries in Lake Tyers. Advice provided as required. Fisheries Victoria
     VRFish, with support from Fisheries Victoria and other water-based recreational user groups, to engage relevant waterway authorities to ensure that adequate boating navigational facilities are provided in Lake Tyers, and that any potential adverse impacts of boating on fish habitat and fisheries in the estuary are identified and minimised.   VRFish
     Fisheries Victoria to seek formal recognition as a referral agency for proposals seeking to artificially open estuary entrances. Referral agency status to be sought within twelve months of the declaration of the LTFRMP. Fisheries Victoria
     Fisheries Victoria to work with relevant management authorities and VRFish to ensure that fisheries interests are properly considered in any decision regarding any artificial entrance openings.   Fisheries Victoria and VRFish
     VRFish, with assistance from Fisheries Victoria, to work with relevant approvals authorities to ensure that concerns regarding potential adverse impacts of any proposed foreshore urban developments on fish habitat and fisheries in Lake Tyers are identified and properly assessed during any environmental impact assessment processes.   VRFish
     Fisheries Victoria to seek formal recognition as a referral agency for proposals seeking to dredge areas in Lake Tyers. Within two years of the declaration of the LTFRMP. Fisheries Victoria
     Fisheries Victoria to work with relevant management authorities and VRFish to ensure that fisheries interests are properly considered in any decision making framework for dredging activities at a local level.   Fisheries Victoria and VRFish
Social – to maintain, and where possible, enhance recreational fishing opportunities in Lake Tyers. 8. Work with other agencies to maintain or improve fishing access, facilities and opportunities.    VRFish, representing recreational interests, to work with relevant authorities and recreational user groups in the development or review of planning documents, to ensure recreational fishing needs are considered.   VRFish
     Subject to planning approvals, management plans, strategies and policies, VRFish, and other water-craft based recreational user groups, to identify needs and seek funding to maintain or enhance access and facilities for boat-based recreational fishing in Lake Tyers.   VRFish
     VRFish, on behalf of recreational fishers, to work with relevant foreshore and waterway management authorities to ensure that fisheries interests are properly considered in the development or review of any management arrangements designed to accommodate multiple water-based and shore-based activities in Lake Tyers.   VRFish
     VRFish, on behalf of recreational fishers, to work with relevant foreshore and waterway management authorities to resolve shorebased fishing access issues and to seek funding to maintain or enhance shorebased fishing access facilities where appropriate.   VRFish