Target One Million
In 2014, the state government committed $46 million towards recreational fishing with the aim to grow participation to one million anglers by 2020. The plan was called Target One Million, and delivered:
- halt commercial netting in Port Phillip and Corio Bays over eight years
- save Lake Toolondo
- pursue reciprocal licence arrangements with New South Wales
- ban netting at the mouths of rivers in the Gippsland Lakes
- establish a Better Fishing Facilities Fund
- increase fish stocking to 5 million fish per year
- implement a marine species stocking program
- open recreational trout cod fisheries in Beechworth
- stock barramundi into Hazelwood Pondage
- allocate 'Stronger Fishing Club' grants
- introduce a minimum legal size for trout
- grow the Victorian Trout Opening Festival
- remove horsepower and boat length restrictions at Blue Rock Lake
- undertake a statewide recreational catch survey
- deliver school education and children's fishing programs.