Your fees at work 2011-12

Every year the Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) Trust Account allocates the fees you pay for your fishing licence to projects that will directly improve recreational fishing in Victoria.

Large grants program

Through the 2011/12 round of the Recreational Fishing Grants Program - Large Grants Program, over $1.2 million will be allocated to the following 16 projects to improve recreational fishing in Victoria.

Northern ($285,598)

Fishing platform on Gunbower Creek.

$162,500 to install artificial reefs in the Kerang Lakes.

$75,000 to enhance fish habitat in the Ovens River (Wangaratta region).

$23,098 to construct a fishing platform on Gunbower creek at Cohuna.

$25,000 to improve angler access and facilities on the Lower Goulburn River, Shepparton.

Port Phillip ($223,055)

$199,078 to define the spawning needs of calamari in Port Phillip Bay.

$23,977 to construct a fishing platform on the Kennett River.

Fishing platform on the Kennett River

South West ($185,150)

$150,000 to create a new Estuary perch recreational fishery for south-west Victoria.

$35,150 to construct access stairs at Skenes Creek.

$150,000 to create a new Estuary perch recreational fishery for south-west Victoria

Access stairs at Skenes Creek.

Gippsland ($124,080)

$100,000 to establish a new Bass recreational fishery in the Nicholson River

$100,000 to establish a new Bass recreational fishery in the Nicholson River

$24,080 to construct a fishing platform and improve angler access to Merrimans Creek.

State wide ($443,855)

$300,000 for a 'Rock Fishing Safety Campaign'.

$69,460 to assess the post-release survival of southern bluefin tuna from recreational fishing (Tasmania and Victoria).

$32,400 to conduct a feasibility study into Fish Attracting Devices.

$20,000 to produce and distribute a documentary on the importance of recreational fishing to Victoria's multicultural community.

$11,900 to publish and distribute a 'Victorian Fishing Trail Brochure' for the Seasoned Angler.

$10,095 to publish and distribute a 'Kayak fishing in Victoria' educational brochure.

Commissioning grants program

Through the 2011/12 round of the Recreational Fishing Grants Program - Commissioning Grants Program $330,629.58 will be allocated to The Victorian Fisheries Authority to produce and distribute the following educational products to recreational anglers:

1. 300,000 copies of the 2012/13 Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide;
2. 200,000 fish length ruler stickers;
3. 20,000 abalone, rock lobster and spiny crayfish measures in three different languages;
4. 500 metal fish length rulers for installation at busy piers;
5. 6,000 abalone pocket cards;
6. 1,000 abalone dive tags; and
7. 30,000 'Know your limits' pocket cards in four different languages.

For more information about applying for grants, please visit Recreational Fishing Grants Program.

Other RFL trust account expenditure

During 2011/12, RFL revenue will also fund:

• Recreational fisheries field services (state-wide);
• The purchase and liberation of native and salmonid fish, made in consideration of, and to complement the planned annual stocking program conducted by The Victorian Fisheries Authority;
• Recreational Fishing Grants Program - Small Grants Program;
• The administration of the RFL and the Grants Programs;
• VRFish;
• RFL sales commissions; and
• RFL and RFGP-related community information.

A report is tabled in Parliament in October each year concerning all RFL Trust Account revenue and expenditure. The Recreational Fishing Grant Program Projects 2011-12 report (PDF - 2.3 MB) is available for revenue spent in 2011/12 and for previous years.