Table 1

West Gippsland Fishery Management Plan

ObjectiveStrategyActionsPerformance IndicatorTargetScheduleResponsibility
Biological – To
conserve and
ensure sustainable
use of key fish
stocks in the West
Gippsland Fishery		Strategy 1 – Monitor
catch rates and size
composition of key
recreational target
fish species		Fisheries Victoria to develop a recreational
fisher research diarist program to provide
information on catch rates and size
composition of estuary perch, Australian
bass, Gippsland spiny freshwater crayfish
and other significant target fish species in
the waters of the West Gippsland Region,
subject to funding.		Establishment of cost effective
programs in the West
Gippsland Region to monitor
recreational fishing trends and
determine patterns of
recruitment of estuary perch,
Australian bass and Gippsland
spiny freshwater crayfish to
the fisheries.		The recreational
harvest of key target
species is sustainably
managed in response
to information
collected from
monitoring programs.		Research angler diary
programs – ongoing
subject to funding.		Fisheries Victoria
  Fisheries Victoria to establish fisheryindependent
surveys of Gippsland spiny
freshwater crayfish if required, and if
funding is available.		 Independent survey
undertaken if
required		To be determined.Fisheries Victoria
  Where information collected from
recreational fisher 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
management
arrangements are
adjusted to respond
to angling pressure.		To be undertaken
dependent on
outcomes of research
diary programs.		Fisheries Victoria
 Strategy 2 – Monitor
catch composition
and trends for other
fishery species		Fisheries Victoria to establish an ongoing
recreational fishing general logbook
program for the waters of the West
Gippsland Region to collect information on
catch composition and to detect changes in
catch or targeting trends for a range of
species, subject to funding		Establishment of a cost
effective recreational fishing
general angler logbook
program for waters of the
West Gippsland Region to
determine species composition
of catches and allow ongoing
assessment of fishery trends.		The recreational
harvest of key target
species is sustainably
managed in response
to information
collected from
monitoring programs.		General angler diary
program – ongoing
subject to funding.		Fisheries Victoria
  If information from the general logbook
program 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.		Fishery management
arrangements are adjusted to
respond to angling pressure.		  Fisheries Victoria
Social – To
maintain and
where possible
enhance
recreational
fishing
opportunities
across the West
Gippsland
Fishery.		Strategy 3 – Classify
waters within the
West Gippsland
Fishery.

The Victorian Recreational Fishing Peak
Body (VRFish) to lead the preparation of a
stream classification model for the waters
of the West Gippsland Fishery to to define
the waters to be recognised as Native,
Mixed or Salmonid fisheries.

Management decisions will recognise the
SCM and broader government policy.

   VRFish
 Strategy 4 – Maintain
stock-enhanced
salmonid fisheries in
the West Gippsland
Region.		Fisheries Victoria to continue to stock fish
in support of recreational fishing in
suitable waters as agreed at annual
regional consultation meetings and where
consistent with the Translocation
Guidelines.		Stocking programs are
consistent with the
Translocation Guidelines and
the Protocols where
appropriate, and outcomes of
the regional consultation
meetings.		Existing brown and
rainbow trout
fisheries are
supported subject to
environmental and
translocation
constraints and as
agreed to at annual
regional consultation
meetings.		OngoingFisheries Victoria
   Existing salmonid fisheries are
supported subject to
environmental constraints.		   
 Strategy 5 – Provide
new fishing
opportunities in the
West Gippsland
Region		Fisheries Victoria to work in partnership
with stakeholders to establish a quality
assured Australian bass breeding program
in Victoria. Subject to environmental and
biological constraints and production
success, Australian bass stocking will
commence in waters within the West
Gippsland Region as identified though the
regional consultation meetings.		Australian bass are stocked in
West Gippsland waters subject
to environmental and
biological constraints and
availability.		Australian bass
stocking programs
implemented in
selected
impoundments in the
West Gippsland
Region.		Ongoing subject to
stock availability.		Fisheries Victoria
  Fisheries Victoria to ensure that any
proposals for stocking programs are
consistent with the Translocation
Guidelines and associated Protocols.		   Fisheries Victoria
  Fisheries Victoria to establish a cost
effective monitoring program to
investigate ongoing angler returns, subject
to funding.		Fishery management
arrangements are adjusted to
respond to angling pressure.		Fisheries
management employs
adaptive fishing
management
arrangements where
appropriate as a
result of monitoring
programs.		To commence within
twelve months of the
stocking program
being initiated.		Fisheries Victoria
 Strategy 6 – Support
the establishment of
Go Fishing in Victoria
initiative at Hyland
Lake.		Fisheries Victoria to continue to promote
use of Hyland Lake as a Premier Lake		Premier rainbow trout are
stocked in Hyland Lake
subject to suitable water
conditions.		Demonstration that
anglers retain an
interest in
recreational fishing
activities as a result of
the Go Fishing in
Victoria initiative.		OngoingFisheries Victoria
  Fisheries Victoria to conduct follow up
evaluations (eg at six months) on
participants at the Hyland Lake event to
provide some data on angler re-visitation rates and overall satisfaction with the
fishery.		Recreational anglers retain an
interest in recreational fishing.		 First survey to be
undertaken within six
months of event
occurring, and a minimum of one
additional survey in
the remaining life of
the WGFMP.		Fisheries Victoria
  

Fisheries Victoria to work with VRFish and
local stakeholders to develop arrangements
to continue the program beyond the
Government initiative.

 

The program continues
beyond the Governments
initiative.		 By the end of
Government
initiative.		Fisheries Victoria.
 Strategy 7 – Identify
and encourage
responsible
recreational fishing
behaviour.		VRFish to facilitate the distribution of the
Victorian Recreational Fishing Code of
Conduct through appropriate outlets in the
region and by including it in the DPI's
Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide.		   VRFish
 Strategy 10 – Improve
access to fisheries
resources.		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,
the 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 the West Gippsland
Region.		   VRFish
  VRFish, on behalf of recreational fishers, to
liaise with the appropriate authorities to
advocate for continued access to
recreational fishing waters (including
impoundments) in the West Gippsland
Region where appropriate.		   VRFish
  VRFish, on behalf of recreational fishers, to
work with relevant 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
activities in the West Gippsland Region.		   VRFish
Environmental –
To promote
protection and
where possible
enhancement of
the habitats and
environments
which are
essential for
production or
maintenance of
fisheries resources
across the West
Gippsland
Fishery.		Strategy 8 – Identify
habitat requirements
of key recreational
target species.		In accordance with Fisheries Victoria
Advocacy Strategy, Fisheries Victoria to
provide information packages on black
bream, river blackfish, Australian bass,
estuary perch and Gippsland spiny
freshwater crayfish to the WGCMA, water
authorities and other key stakeholders to
assist in the prioritisation of strategies and
actions.		Information on the habitat and
environmental needs of key
recreational species is being
considered by the WGCMA,
water authorities and other
key stakeholders in their
policy development and
investment programs.		Fisheries Victoria
working with the
WGCMA to
implement the
Fisheries Victoria
Advocacy Strategy.		To be provided
within twelve months
of declaration of the
WGFMP.		Fisheries Victoria
 Strategy 9 – Work
with other agencies to
promote protection of
important fish
habitats.		Fisheries Victoria to provide available
information and advice on fisheries values
and important fish habitats during the
development and review of the West
Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy
and Regional River Health Strategy.		Information on fishery values
and habitat requirements of
key target species in the West
Gippsland Region are
provided to the WGCMA and
other agencies.		Information on the
fishery values and
habitat requirements
of key target species
in the West
Gippsland Region are
used by the WGCMA
in their policy
development and
investment programs.

Advice provided
within twelve months
following the
declaration of the
WGFMP.

Advice provided as
required.

Fisheries Victoria

 

Fisheries Victoria

  Where appropriate, Fisheries Victoria to
provide policy and technical advice to the
WGCMA and other agencies 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 the West Gippsland
Region.		    
  Fisheries Victoria to seek formal
recognition as a referral agency for
proposals seeking to artificially open any
of Victoria's estuary entrances.		Fisheries Victoria is formally
recognised as a referral
agency.		Fisheries issues are
formally considered
in decisions
regarding any
artificial entrance
openings.

Referral agency status
to be sought within
twelve months of the
declaration of the
WGFMP.

Fisheries Victoria
  Fisheries Victoria to work with relevant
management authorities and the VRFish to
ensure that fisheries interests are properly
considered in any decision regarding any
artificial entrance openings.		  OngoingFisheries Victoria &
VRFish