Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group Meeting 2

26 NOVEMBER 2009 - TREACY HOUSE, 126 THE AVENUE, PARKVILLE.

Independent Chair's Summary

This was the second meeting of the Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group, established in September 2009. Key issues discussed in the meeting included:

Applications to the 2008/09 Recreational Fishing Grants Program (RFGP)
DPI Presentation - Lake Eildon golden perch fishery
2008/09 Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account (RFL T/A) revenue and expenditure
Progress on the on-line survey of Recreational Fishing Licence holders
DPI Presentation – Artificial reefs in Port Phillip Bay
Draft Terms of Reference of the Working Group
Recreational Fishing Grants Program Governance Review
New South Wales experiences with recreational fishing grants program

Applications to the 2008/09 Recreational Fishing Grants Program

The primary role of the Working Group is to provide advice to the Minister Responsible for Fisheries on expenditure of all Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) revenue. The Working Group discussed the 2008/09 RFGP applications received and the grant assessment criteria. Eligible grant applications were assessed, scored and ranked.

The Working Group provided their qualified support for a number of projects for referral to the Minister for consideration.

DPI Presentation - Lake Eildon golden perch fishery

John Douglas, Fisheries Science Officer, Fisheries Research Branch, Snobs Creek provided a presentation on the understanding of habitat preferences and movement patters of golden perch in impoundments. John's presentation included information including an overview of the objectives, planning, tracking and tagging processes involved with the project, along with the scientific monitoring program for golden perch conducted by DPI.

2008/09 Recreational Fishing Licence Trust revenue and expenditure

Robert Krix. Manager Statutory Consultation Fisheries Victoria provided a presentation regarding key items of 2008/09 RFL T/A revenue and expenditure. The Working Group noted that the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account was established in 2001/02 under Section 151B of the Fisheries Act 1995.

A report on how amounts paid into the RFL T/A were disbursed is tabled in both Houses of Parliament in October each year. The report outlines all revenues and expenditures associated with the Trust Account including provision to fund 2008/09 approved projects extending into the 2009/10 financial year and beyond as applicable.

Progress on online a survey of Recreational Fishing Licence holders

The Working Group received an update on the progress of an on-line survey of licensed recreational anglers to ascertain their view on priorities for the expenditure of RFL T/A funds for future years.

The results of the recreational angler survey will assist in establishing a broad set of priorities for the Working Group and Government to determine future investments relevant to improving opportunities for recreational fishing in Victoria. The completed survey report will be published on the DPI website.

DPI Presentation – Artificial reefs in Port Phillip Bay

Dr Paul Hamer, Fish Ecologist Fisheries Research Branch Queenscliff provided a presentation to the Working Group regarding the trialling of three artificial reefs in Port Phillip Bay. Paul provided an overview of the objectives, planning, approval and deployment process, along with the scientific monitoring program for the reefs.

Draft Terms of Reference of the Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group

The Working Group has been established, comprising recreational anglers and a non-voting independent Chair, principally to provide advice to the Minister on the expenditure of all RFL Trust Account revenue.

A number of minor amendments were made to the Terms of Reference for referral to the Minister Responsible for Fisheries.

Recreational Fishing Grants Program Governance Review

The Working Group was advised that since the commencement of the Recreational Fishing Grants Program, more than 8.5 million of RFL revenue has been allocated to almost 240 projects.

DPI advised of that governance audit of the RFGP to ensure that it has sound arrangements in place for managing the expenditure of licence funds had been completed. Fisheries Victoria was in the process of examining the report's recommendations for implementation as applicable.

New South Wales experiences with recreational Fishing Grants Program

The Chair, NSW Recreational Fishing Trust Expenditure Committee provided a presentation about NSW's experiences with its Recreational Fishing Grants Program and priorities for the expenditure of RFL revenue.

Next meeting: Wednesday 20 January 2010.

John Diplock
Independent Chair
Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group