October 2006

Fisheries Act 1995

Pursuant to Section 151B(4) Fisheries Act 1995, the Minister (Responsible for Victoria's Fisheries) must cause a report on how amounts paid into the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account were disbursed -

(a) to be prepared by 1 October each year; and,

(b) to be laid before each House of Parliament on or before the 7th sitting day of that House after the report has been prepared.

For the information of Honourable Members, the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account came into effect on 1 April 2001, and a Fisheries Revenue Allocation Committee, whose function is to provide any advice requested by me on priorities for the disbursement of funds from the RFL Trust Account, was appointed until 31 July 2006, however, since then the committee's term of appointment has been extended to 16 October 2006.

The Committee consists of six members, including-

(a) two members of the Fisheries Co-Management Council or of a fishery committee with knowledge of, and experience in, recreational fishing nominated by the Council;

(b) two people nominated by the Secretary, Department of Primary Industries;

(c) two people nominated by the recognised peak body for recreational fishing (VRFish). The 2005/06 financial year is the fifth full year of the RFL Trust Account's operation.

Recreational Fisheries Officers

The Department of Primary Industries employs 10 regionally based Fisheries Officers who
are funded from Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) Trust Account revenue. These Fisheries
Officers were first employed in October 1999 to perform a significant and continuing
compliance, education and extension services role following the introduction, in July 1999, of
the All-Waters RFL. These Officers perform a range of activities that contribute significantly
to the improvement of recreational fishing opportunities in Victoria.

Port Phillip Region

Fisheries Port Phillip Region employs four Fisheries Officers - one based at each of Altona,
Cowes, Geelong, and Mornington. These officers undertake a range of activities that
contribute significantly to the improvement of recreational fishing within the region, and on
occasions across Victoria. Over the past year, their activities have included, but are not
confined to the following.

• Provide timely advice to Fisheries staff at their location and across the Port Phillip
  Region;
• Participated in various, and regular enforcement operations, ranging from overt holiday
  blitzes to covert investigations into alleged illegal take of snapper and shellfish;
• Contributed to the operation of the Fishcare Program at four locations in conjunction
  with the Regional Fishcare Facilitator;
• Attendance at recreational fishing events, such as Oakleigh AC, Altona and Werribee
  South snapper competitions, Westernport whiting competition, Tea Tree snapper
  competition, Shimano Fishing Competition (Port Phillip Bay);
• Provided assistance, training and educational materials to Victoria Police;
• Attendance at workshops and forums to discuss issues relating to recreational fishing of
  abalone, finfish, rock lobster, fish disease emergency preparedness, and the Fish
  Translocation Guidelines;
• Maintain and extend strong liaison and advice to local and regional fishing tackle outlets
  regarding recreational fishing issues;
• Involvement and logistics relating to the Family Fishing Initiative-Lilydale Lake;
• Organising and assisting fish releases;
• Contribution to recreational fisher creel surveys coordinated by Primary Industries
  Research Victoria within Port Phillip Bay and Westernport;
• Assist in the delivery of the Environmental Awareness and Fisheries Crime Prevention
  Program targeting Secondary Colleges along the Mornington Peninsula;
• Participated as Duty Officer for 13FISH;
• Attendance at angling club meetings and presentation nights;
• Facilitated the Department of Human Services' Special Needs Fishing Program at Cowes
  and Lilydale Lakes;
• Conducted interviews on various fishing programs on local radio;
• Represent Department of Primary Industries Fisheries on a rock fishing safety committee
  chaired by Gippsland Coroner;
• Liaise with VicTag on local issues and provide angling club support;
• Membership of working groups assisting Parks Victoria develop Management Plans for
  various Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries;
• Contributions regarding recreational fishing to local and metropolitan newspapers,
  departmental newsletters, Internet site, and brochures and reports;
• Provision of input to annual Freshwater Fisheries (fish stocking) Consultation ('CONS')
  meeting;
• Provided key assistance to net surveys of Lake Modewarre fish kills;
• Conducted investigations into recreational harvesting of snapper, squid, shellfish, and
  assessed the suitability of new small waters for fish stocking;
• Organised attendance by volunteers and overall logistics at fish releases;
• Acted as a point of contact for, and monitored progress of Recreational Fishing Grant
  Program projects;
• Prosecuted and given evidence in various recreational fishing court cases; and
• Conducted numerous Marine National Parks & Sanctuary tactical patrols.

Summary of Port Phillip Region's Fisheries Officer Outputs - 2005/06

Gippsland Region

Fisheries Gippsland Region employs two Fisheries Officers with one based at Lakes Entrance
and one at Traralgon. These officers continue to perform a significant and continuing
compliance, education and extension services role in the region. Their activities have
included, but are not confined to the following.

• Conduct fisheries patrols to check recreational fishers' compliance with catch limits, size
  limits and licensing;
• Provide support to the region's Fishcare Facilitator;
• Assist in the coordination of Fishcare Volunteers' activities;
• Provide advice to the public in relation to recreational fishing;
• Assist in the organisation of field days and outings for Fishcare Volunteers;
• Provide assistance to Primary Industries Research Victoria staff in the collection of creel
  survey information;
• Contribute articles to the Fishcare Newsletter and local media;
• Organise and encourage local school field trips providing environmental information;
• Attend field days to provide visitors with recreational fisheries related information and
  advice;
• Attend fishing competitions;
• Liaise with local tackle shops, providing up-to-date literature and information sheets
  regarding recreational fish species;
• Training in the management of fish-health emergencies;
• Produce public display material for shows and information boards; and
• Training in boat operation and compliance techniques.

Summary of Gippsland Region's Fisheries Officer Outputs - 2005/06

Northern Region

Fisheries Northern Region employs two indigenous Fisheries Officers - one is based at
Tatura, and one at Swan Hill. These officers perform a significant and continuing
compliance, education and extension services role in inland Victoria. Both officers perform a
range of activities that contribute significantly to the improvement of recreational fishing and
improved relationships between recreational fishers and indigenous communities
throughout the region. Since their employment, their activities have included, but are not
confined to the following.

• Conduct fisheries patrols to check on fish catch, size limits and recreational fishing
  license compliance;
• Attendance at training;
• Attendance at recreational fishing events and expos;
• Contribution to recreational fish surveys;
• Attendance at angling club meetings;
• Provide, maintain and encourage local schools with display education programs;
• Conduct junior recreational fishing clinics to promote sustainable and responsible fishing
  practices;
• Develop community links with indigenous and non-indigenous persons through
  government and private sector;
• Inform local communities about fish stocking programs through local media;
• Prepare briefs for court proceedings; and
• Assist Fisheries Officers with 'fish-kill' management at Nagambie.

Summary of Northern Region's Fisheries Officer Outputs - 2005/06

South West Region

Fisheries Victoria South West region employs two Fisheries Officers – one is based at
Portland and one at Warrnambool.

The Officers' activities have included, but are not confined to the following.

• Develop and participate in recreational fisheries related projects including the
  Warrnambool Fishing Expo, World Environment Day in-schools programs, National
  Water Week education days, Wimmera Kids Conference, Hamilton Sheepvention and
  various fishing clinics;
• Attend angling club meetings, events and competitions, the annual regional fish stocking
  consultation (CONS) meeting;
• Assist the Warrnambool Fishcare Program;
• Participate in a carp surveys of the Glenelg River;
• Participate in fish surveys including Crawford River Spiny Crayfish survey, Lake Fyans
  and Konongwootong fish surveys;
• Conduct fish releases across the southwest region;
• Disentanglement of a Southern Right Whale;
• Various training including 1st Aid, CIDT, AFMA, Vehicle Intercept, Whale
  Disentanglement and Coxswains course;
• Assist in publication of Tides and Times Book;
• Participated as Duty Officer on the 13 FISH report line;
• Provide key assistance in fish fatalities at the Surry River, Lake Bolac and Yambuk Lake;
  and
• Participate in targeted recreational fishing compliance operations, and conduct various
  patrols.

Summary of South West Region's Fisheries Officers' Outputs - 2005/06

Notes to the Financial Report

These notes form part of and should be read in conjunction with the financial report of the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account.

Note 1 Statement of Accounting Policies

(i) Basis of preparation

This special purpose financial report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries Act 1995.

The report has been prepared on a cash basis to report on how levies and application fees received in respect of recreational fishing licences have been disbursed from the trust account.

Report concerning how amounts paid into the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account were disbursed in 2005-2006 financial year

Note 2 - Payments to Recreational Fishing Grant Program projects during 2005/06

Note 3 - provision to fund 2005/06's approved Recreational Fishing Grant Program projects, and other items in 2006/07 and beyond as applicable

Projects approved and announced by Minister

View Note 3

Note 4 - Cash assets

Cash as at 30 June 2006 of $2,469,963.73 shown in the financial statement includes $400,000 which has been invested pursuant to Section 151B(4)(5) Fisheries Act 1995.