Fish-e-Facts 382
15 January 2016
January 2016
Talking Wild Trout video presentations now available
If you weren't able to attend our 'Talking Wild Trout' Conference in November at Mansfield, videos of the 10 key presentations are now available - Trout conference videos 2015.
The conference showcased learnings from the first year of a three year project, which is investigating wild trout populations across Victoria, is funded by recreational fishing licence fees.
Grants leading to better infrastructure
A new floating pontoon jetty on the Fitzroy River at Tyrendarra has replaced the old wooden one.
The jetty was funded by recreational fishing licence fees and features seating and rod holders. It's now also wider to cater for more anglers and those in wheelchairs.
The new jetty restores safe fishing access for shore-based anglers trying to catch mullet, black bream, estuary perch and Australian salmon.
The replacement jetty was funded through the Recreational Fishing Grants Program, which is now open for large projects worth between $5,001 and $100,000.
Fishing clubs, community groups, incorporated bodies and government agencies are encouraged to apply for project funding in the current round that closes on 29 February 2016.
Smaller project proposals, worth less than $5,000, can be submitted anytime - www.vic.gov.au/fishinggrants.
Safety alert from TSV – new definition of Port Phillip Heads
A recent coronial inquest prompted Transport Safety Victoria to review the risks to safety for boating in the vicinity of Port Phillip Heads. Recognising the various navigational hazards in the area, TSV sought an expansion to the area defined as Port Phillip Heads within the meaning of the Marine Safety Regulations 2012.
This amendment has now taken effect and the new definition of Port Phillip Heads is:
Port Phillip Heads means all the waters between an imaginary line drawn between Shortland Bluff and Point Nepean, and the seaward limits of an imaginary line consisting the arc of a circle with a radius of 3 nautical miles centred on Point Lonsdale.
This definition of Port Phillip Heads now includes the area at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay, where conditions are known to present additional risks to vessels operating there.
Port Phillip Heads is a 'designated hazardous area'. Additional safety measures are imposed on vessels in designated hazardous areas, including mandatory PFD wearing.
For more information please visit: http://transportsafety.vic.gov.au/maritime-safety/newsroom/new-definition-of-port-phillip-heads.
Abalone ring busted
Ten divers from an illegal abalone harvesting syndicate were recently convicted and sentenced and received various penalties including indefinite bans on fishing, orders to pay up to $16,500 and two months jail.
All ten had pleaded guilty to taking abalone for sale without authorisation and several also pleading guilty to possessing the proceeds of crime.
Four of the ten were jailed immediately for up to two months, however, these sentences are being appealed. The other six received community correctional orders requiring them to complete between 60 and 280 hours of unpaid community work, bans that prohibit all fishing activity indefinitely and orders to pay between $220 and $16,500.
Operation Quantum involved investigators and Fisheries Officers from across the state over 10 months, culminating in the execution of 12 search warrants in October 2014.
During the investigation, 12 vehicles and dive equipment were seized. Most have since been forfeited to the state. A number of residential premises are still restrained under proceeds of crime legislation and further hearings will determine what happens to these assets.
The syndicate of divers were driving from the western suburbs of Melbourne several times each week to take abalone, rock lobster and other shellfish from the southwest coastline.
The shellfish would be sold to two ring-leaders in Melbourne who would allegedly on-sell the seafood at a discounted rate.