Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group Meeting 16
14 November 2012 - Location: Royal Brighton Yacht Club, 253 Esplanade, Brighton 3186
Independent Chair's Summary
This was the 16th meeting of the Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group.
Key items discussed included:
- Progress on projects previously approved to receive RFL Trust Account funding
- Formation of fish stocking governance group
- Deployment of near-shore recreational fishing reefs in Port Phillip bay including Altona, Portarlington and Frankston
Progress on projects previously approved to receive RFL Trust Account funding
Since the commencement of the Recreational Fishing Grants Program in 2001/02, RFL revenue has funded over 435 projects worth more than $19.3 million.
Currently there are 75 projects in progress, including 29 small grants, 6 Commissioning Grants and 40 Large.
The Working Group noted the status of projects that are currently in progress and the expected completion dates.
Formation of fish stocking governance group
Fisheries Victoria provided a presentation regarding progress in the formation of a fish stocking governance group that would oversee fish stocking throughout Victoria. A meeting of invited participants had recently been held at the Snobs Creek fish hatchery to discuss the group's potential role and membership.
Fisheries Victoria will provide a written report on the further progress of the group's formation to the Working Group at its next meeting in March 2013 (date to be determined).
Deployment of near-shore recreational fishing reefs in Port Phillip bay
Fisheries Victoria advised that the reefs located at each of Altona, Portarlington and Frankston were deployed and open for recreational fishers' use. Information sessions about the reefs were held at these locations in early July 2012 to inform the public, local councils and anglers about the project. A FAQ sheet was produced and distributed at each location and related information is available from the Fisheries Victoria website - http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/fisheries/recreational-fishing/recreational-fishing-reefs
Signage has been placed on each pier to provide information about the project and the commencement/timings of deployment works. Following reef deployment, Fisheries Victoria will evaluate the performance of the reefs according to social, environmental and economic aspects for two years.
The project has been conducted in consultation with the Department of Sustainability and Environment , Parks Victoria and other relevant local and Stated Government agencies.
Next meeting: March 2013 (date to be confirmed)
John Diplock
Independent Chair
Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group