Fish-e-Facts 377
01 October 2015
October 2015
Recreational fishing forums just around the corner!
During October, November and December, Fisheries Victoria and VRFish will host 10 forums across the state to hear from anglers about building better recreational fisheries.
The forums are a great opportunity to exchange ideas, understand how fishing licence fees are being spent and identify new projects that will make a difference.
This year's forums are scheduled for Warrnambool, Wodonga, Nagambie, Nunawading, Torquay, Shepparton, Ballarat, Bendigo, Williamstown and Lake Tyers.
For dates and venues visit: www.vic.gov.au/regionalfishforums.
Improving fishing opportunities and boosting participation are aims of the State Government's Target One Million plan for recreational fishing, to get more people fishing, more often.
Estuary perch broodstock collection
Recently, 16 volunteer anglers helped collect estuary perch broodstock from several Gippsland systems for our breeding program.
A total of 58 estuary perch were caught by two teams based at Marlo and the Bemm River.
The condition of the fish was excellent with mature high quality females and several males showing signs of running milt.
The fish were each tagged and finclip samples were taken for DNA analysis to ensure no hybrids (estuary perch and Australian bass) are used.
All of the fish were transported to a Narooma hatchery where they will be acclimatised before the spawning process commences.
For more information about our expanding estuary perch breeding program, which is supported by fishing licence fees and the State Government's Target One Million plan, visit: Inland estuary perch fisheries.
Recreational Fishing Grants Program has opened for applications
Angling clubs and community organisations wanting to improve fishing opportunities can now apply for funding from the 2015/2016 round of the Recreational Fishing Grants Program, which opened on October 1.
The Program re-invests revenue from the sale of recreational fishing licences into projects that benefit the pastime and ensure sustainable fisheries.
Project proposals between $5,000 and $100,000 qualify for the 'Large Grants' category of the Program, which closes on 29 February 2016.
Projects funded previously have included stiles over fences to improve access along riverbanks, solar lights at boat ramps, fishing platforms and re-snagging to improve fish habitat.
For more information, or to apply online, visit: www.vic.gov.au/fishinggrants.
Have your say on the draft Port Phillip Scallop Dive Fishery Management Plan
Fisheries Victoria, in consultation with a stakeholder-based steering committee, have prepared a draft fishery management plan for the Port Phillip Scallop Dive Fishery.
The plan outlines proposed management arrangements for the next five years so that recreational, commercial and conservation interests have a clear framework for sustainably managing the scallop resource in Port Phillip Bay.
The draft plan maintains existing recreational arrangements, including recreational only areas, and details the process for setting the annual total allowable commercial catch (TACC) that is harvested by the single licensed operator.
Statutory consultation on the draft plan commences on 14 October 2015. The statutory consultation period of 60 days for the draft management plan also coincides with the setting of the 2016/17 TACC, providing an opportunity to see how the proposed management arrangements will be implemented.
Consultation forums will be held at Queenscliff and Mornington in November 2015 to discuss the draft management plan and the setting of the TACC for the 2016/17 fishing season. Details of the forums are provided below:
Consultation Forums
Queenscliff
Tuesday 10 November
6 pm – 8 pm
Fisheries Victoria Offices, DEDJTR
2A Bellerine Highway, Queenscliff
Mornington
Wednesday 11 November
6 pm – 8 pm
Best Western Brooklands of Mornington -Terrace Room
99 Tanti Avenue, Mornington
Written submissions on the draft plan must be received by 14 December 2015. To learn more, or read the plan, visit www.vic.gov.au/fisheries.