SRFR Meeting #50 - 23 March 2018

Statewide Recreational Fishing Roundtable Forum #50

Forum date: Friday March 23rd 2018

Location: Victorian Fisheries Authority, Level 15, 1 Spring St., Melbourne. 3000

Chair's Summary

OUTSTANDING/ONGOING ACTIONS (from previous meetings)

ACTION

1

That the Metropolitan Stocking Group be re-established. Meeting to be organised and led by VFA.

Discussion/outcome: ongoing

John Douglas / Anthony Forster

2

Chris and Travis to meet regarding public access to crown frontage land.

Discussion/outcome: ongoing

Chris Hardman /Travis Dowling

3

Bittern Dam – Parks gave commitment for their hydrology personnel to review and give a timeframe for works to be done on the dam and provide costings to VFA for breaching catch drain.

Discussion/outcome: ongoing

Chris Hardman

4

Request for 6 monthly report back on PPB health and environmental Yarra River flows.

Discussion/outcome: ongoing

Anthony Forster and Paul Hamer

5

Involve the broader fishing community in the 2018 Fisheries Regulations Review. The Policy group to provide a timeline for the review (Dallas D'Silva). Allow adequate time for input from the fishing community. Provide for consultation with key stakeholders prior to release to the public.

Discussion/outcome: ongoing

Dallas D'Silva 

 NEW ACTIONS – arising from meeting #50 – 23rd March 2018

Responsibility

Follow up with the Trout Reference Group re GMWater not releasing flows out of Eildon following high rainfall, unless purchased, so resulting in higher water temperatures below the dam in warmer months.

Taylor Hunt

Investigate the need to introduce a limited Trout cod fishery in the Ovens and Goulburn Rivers.

Taylor Hunt & Anthony Forster

Dallas to provide a timeline and overview (by 31 May) of what consultation will take place for the 2018 Regulation review. 

Dallas D'Silva

Key discussion items from State-wide Roundtable meeting #50

  1. Presentation by Jean-Michael Bernier and Anna Zsoldos of Melbourne Water
  2. Presentation by Michael Burgess, Executive Officer of VRFish
  3. Presentation by Terry George, President of the Australian Trout Foundation
  4. Presentation by Tim Curmi, President of Native Fish Australia (VIC)
  5. Presentation by Belinda Yim, Events Manager, Victorian Fisheries Authority
  6. Presentation by Marc Ainsworth, Senior Communications Adviser, Victorian Fisheries Authority
  7. Presentation by Scott Lawrence, Manager of Fisheries Policy, Department for Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources
  8. Presentation by Taylor Hunt, Fisheries Manager, Victorian Fisheries Authority
  9. Presentation by Craig Ingram, State Director of the National Carp Control Plan
  10. Presentation by Brain Mottram, Manager of Recreational Fishing Improvements and Target One Million, Victorian Fisheries Authority

Jean-Michel Benier and Anna Zsoldos from Melbourne Water.

Jean-Michel and Anna spoke on:

  • Melbourne Water, the organisation, role, number of staff and key deliverables.
  • Which waters and land does Melbourne Water manage ie lakes, rivers etc.
  • The need for protected catchments ie water quality for domestic use.
  • Melbourne Waters commitment to recreational users.
  • How we can work with Melbourne Water to improve recreational fishing access to waters.
  • Melbourne Waters' commitment to the Maribyrnong River project including potential introduction of fishways and removal of barriers.

Michael Burgess - Executive Officer, VRFish

VRFish have spent time reflecting on their purpose and values. They have received feedback from the "how to make fishing better" survey completed by anglers last year. VRFish have recently undergone a rebranding process and have launched their new web site. A review of the membership constitution is to be completed.

A forum will be held in late May by the Sand Flathead Focus Group.

Habitat and Water – a tree planting day will be held on the Stevenson River on 5th May.

NEW ACTION: Follow up with the Trout Reference Group re GMWater not releasing flows out of Eildon following high rainfall, unless purchased, so resulting in higher water temperatures below the dam in warmer months. Taylor Hunt

A Bay Fund project is proposed for habitat monitoring (TNC and Oz Fish Unlimited).

Terry George - President, Australian Trout Foundation

Terry spoke on the Jordan Scotty incubator trials that were conducted in various waterways in July and August 2017. Fish stock has been fin clipped at the incubator sites to determine if there is a genetic match to the eggs released. The results are due in May 2018. There will be further trials this year.

There will be a Fish Habitat Workshop at Myrtleford on 28th April. This will be the first of 4 to be held around the state.

Tim Curmi - President, Native Fish Australia (VIC)

Hatchery Update

  • limited success in 2017 Macquarie perch breeding season
  • Had fertilized ova in incubators on a number of occasions - all died.
  • No size fish captured (ie over 350 mm) many small fish in Yarra
  • Frustration with permits especially ethics requirements.  Just had to pay over $650 for ethics permits & apply for Scientific measuring permit
  • All Macquarie perch broodstock fin clipped and samples given to ARI for genetic studies
  • Continue to learn/refine Macquarie perch techniques
  • Next season hope to translocate Macquarie perch broodstock to remnant populations (Hughes Ck) to improve genetics

Southern Pygmy perch

  • 4 separate breeding programs developing
  • Partnerships with ARI, NCCMA, City of Bendigo, Templestowe College & La Trobe University
  • Much interest from the community

Native Fish Challenge

  • 24th year
  • over 80 anglers from 4 clubs including juniors
  • Caught, measured & released over 250 fish
  • Around 1/2 Murray cod, 0 Redfin, only 6 Carp
  • Highlight Murray cod 122cm caught on a wake bait

Care for Cod

  • VFA Developing campaign
  • Photo shoot Buffalo River - 92 cm cod
  • Interest from members & supporters

Lake Kerford Habitat

  • Developing a project to put habitat (LWD) into lake for Trout cod
  • Partnership with the Wedge group, NECMA, NEW, local residents group.

Blackfish breeder

  • Serious fires on and around property in Cobden
  • Assessing damage/losses

Sevens Creek

  • Habitat (LWD) going into creek to enhance Trout cod & Macquarie perch populations.
  • Discussions with GBCMA & locals around future management of creek

NCCMA

  • Live fish display for World Fish Migration Day 21 April at Koondrook.
  • Plans for breeding program for other small bodied endangered native fish

Borinya school Wangaratta

  • Supported Catch a carp day 22 March with local primary schools.  Community event on Sunday - "Carp muster"  http://www.wangarattasustainability.org/p/restoring-our-waterways.html
  • Partnership with Wangaratta Sustainability Network & NECMA
  • Future plans to breed Southern pygmy perch and hopefully Catfish in partnership with NFA (Vic)

City of Dandenong

  • Live fish display & catch a carp event for World Wetlands Day (February)
  • A number of other live fish displays & catch a carp days planned
  • In partnership with the council, developing a Dandenong Creek health improvement plan including the reintroduction of small bodied native fish.

Trout cod

  • Is now time to introduce limited Trout cod fishery in the Ovens and Goulburn Rivers.
  • Both populations expanding & sustainable.
  • Need to develop plan to establish new Trout cod populations

NEW ACTION:Investigate the need to introduce a limited Trout cod fishery in the Ovens and Goulburn Rivers. Taylor Hunt & Anthony Forster

Belinda Yim - Events Manager, Victorian Fisheries Authority

Belinda presented information on the launch of the Women In Recreational Fishing Network (WIRF) on International Women's Day 2018.       

In summary this network will:

  • promote the benefits of fishing as a healthy and positive outdoor activity for the family.
  • provide a space for females to discuss, share, engage with other females and ask questions.
  • address barriers and offer solutions to encourage more women to go fishing and promote positive images of women in recreational fishing.
  • provide women with the education and knowledge to give them the confidence to fish.

The network has received good coverage in traditional and social media. WIRF can be accessed through Facebook where there are currently 346 members.  www.facebook.com/groups/womeninrecfishing

Marc Ainsworth - Senior Communications Adviser, Victorian Fisheries Authority

 Social Media:

  • For January 2018 the reach for the month for 49 posts made was 1.6 million
  • Customer enquiries through social media are 150 to 200 per month, rather than calls previously made to the 136 186 enquiry line.
  • The Facebook post of a cod that had swallowed a Solo can reached 340,000 in 2 weeks.

Rec Fisher Catch Survey:

  • This survey has been sent to everyone who has bought an online recreational fishing licence in the last 5 years.
  • Approximately 300,000 recreational fishing licences are sold per year.

Scott Lawrence - Manager of Fisheries Policy, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources

With the review of Fisheries Regulations the VFA will be the main point of consultation, rather than DEDJTR. The Regulation Impact Statement process will involve consultation prior to a draft of proposed Regulation changes being sent out for further consultation.

There are currently 580 provisions in the Regulations. The Victorian State Government is aiming for a target of a 25% reduction in Regulations as a part of their election commitment.

NEW ACTION:  Dallas to provide a timeline and overview (by 31 May) of what consultation will take place for the 2018 Regulation review.  Dallas D'Silva            

Taylor Hunt - Fisheries Manager, Victorian Fisheries Authority

Taylor reported on the development of the Freshwater Fisheries Management Plan – consultation, draft plan objectives, 25 submissions received to date, and the formation of an implementation group.

Flagship project opportunities:

  • Rehabilitation and stocking of the Maribyrnong River
  • Snobs Creek currently at full capacity – possibility of new threatened species hatchery
  • Provision of more woody habitat – working with Vic Roads and the need for a priority areas list
  • Urban waters stocking – new waters approved for stocking and the Metropolitan stocking Committee (if interested in participation contact Hui Ho on 0407 987 003)
  • Expanding the Victorian Angler Diary Program
  • Opera House nets – working with the reference group to phase out the nets
  • Talk Wild Trout – the 4th TWT conference will be held in Melbourne this year on 11th August
  • Codference is scheduled for December

Craig Ingram - State Director of the National Carp Control Plan

  • Under theEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, formal submissions will start being called for in July
  • There will be State and Commonwealth consultation
  • ARI is doing a study of the overall biomass
  • Epidemiological and biological studies are being done to determine how the virus will work in the real world
  • The virus works best in high aggregation areas and only between 18c and 28c temp range
  • Further testing is being done on non-target species
  • Options for cleanup are being investigated
  • All recommendations will be put to participating governments by the end of 2018

Brian Mottram - Manager of Recreational Fishing Improvements and Target One Million, Victorian Fisheries Authority

  • Very successful breeding of 650,000 Murray cod this season
  • The VFA has achieved stocking of 5 million fish in Victoria this year (a Target One Million election commitment)
  • Only 9 commercial fishers remain netting in PPB, with a cut off of 1 April 2022 for all net based fishing in PPB.

Statewide Recreational Fishing Roundtable #50

Chair: Merv McGuire

Secretariat: Julie Morgan

Summary dated: 23/04/2018