Outcomes of the Wimmera Fishery Management Plan

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StrategyActionPerformance indicatorLead agencyKey partnersPotential funding sourceEstimated cost
1. Demonstrate the sustainable use of key recreational fishing speciesFisheries Victoria will, subject to available funding, develop a research angler diary program to obtain information including catch rates and size composition for freshwater catfish in the Wimmera River.A research angler diary program for freshwater catfish is established within two years of declaring this fishery management plan. A report detailing the results of the research angler diary program is published within five years of declaring this fishery management plan.Fisheries VictoriaRecreational fishersRecreational Fishing Licence Trust Account$32,500 ($6,000 per annum plus $2,500 to write the report in year five)
2. Monitor catch composition and trends for recreational fishing speciesFisheries Victoria will, subject to available funding, develop a general angler diary program to obtain information including catch rates and size composition for key recreational species in the Wimmera fishery.

A general angler diary program is established within two years of declaring this fishery management plan.

A report detailing the results of the general angler diary program is published within five years of declaring this fishery management plan.

Fisheries VictoriaRecreational fishersRecreational Fishing Licence Trust Account$32,500 ($6,000 per annum plus $2,500 to write the report in year five)
3. Maintain stockenhanced fisheriesFisheries Victoria will continue to stock fish in the Wimmera fishery consistent with the outcomes of the Regional Fisheries Consultations Meeting.Subject to unforseen factors, fish stocking in the Wimmera fishery remains consistent with the outcomes of the Regional Fisheries Consultation processFisheries VictoriaRecreational fishersFisheries Victoria program budget$51,000 per annum
4. Classify waters using the Victorian Inland Waters Classification ModelThe Inland Waters Classification Taskforce will develop and implement the Victorian Inland Waters Classification Model.The Victorian Inland Waters Classification Model is applied to the Wimmera fishery within four years of the declaration of this management plan.Fisheries VictoriaVRFish, Australian Trout Foundation and Native Fish AustraliaFisheries Victoria program budget$100,000 approximately (state-wide)
5. Improve access for boat-based fishingVRFish will liaise with fishers, land managers and water authorities to identify and submit applications for new or the upgrade of existing boat launching facilities VRFish   
6. Improve access for land-based fishingVRFish will liaise with fishers, land managers, water authorities and other stakeholders to identify and promote new or the upgrade of existing access tracks and facilities. VRFish   
VRFish will implement actions in Access for Recreational Fishing (VRFish 2004) to improve fishers understanding of their rights to access land adjoining recreational fisheries VRFish   
7. Encourage responsible recreational fishing behaviourVRFish will promote the Victorian Recreational Fishing Code of Conduct to recreational fishers. VRFish   
8. Habitat advocacy for key recreational fishing speciesFisheries Victoria will provide advice on environmental requirements of key recreational fishing species to other management agencies.Advice on the environmental requirements of recreational target species is provided to other agencies to inform policies and programs.Fisheries VictoriaWimmera Catchment Management Authority, water authorities, the Department of Sustainability and EnvironmentFisheries Victoria program budget$365,000 per annum (state-wide)
9. Educate fishers on sustainable fishingFisheries Victoria will continue to provide fisheries education and information to the community.Education material is provided at all DPI Go Fishing in Victoria Family Fishing Events.Fisheries VictoriaRecreational fishersFisheries Victoria program budget$590,000 per annum (state-wide)
10. Enforce fishing regulationsFisheries Victoria will, subject to available funding, continue to promote community reporting of suspected illegal fishing activities through the 13 FISH hotline.Compliance with the Fisheries Regulations is greater than 90 per cent.Fisheries VictoriaRecreational fishersFisheries Victoria program budget$300,000 per annum (state-wide)
Fisheries Victoria will continue to use information derived from fishery compliance risk assessments, 13 FISH reports and historical patrol activities to prioritise, plan and target patrols, inspections and compliance operations to achieve a high level of compliance with the Fisheries Regulations.Compliance with the Fisheries Regulations is greater than 90 per cent.Fisheries VictoriaRecreational fishersFisheries Victoria program budget$2,220,000 per annum (state-wide)