Victoria’s Premier Rivers ready for angling action

Fisheries Victoria have announced three Victorian rivers that will undergo development as part of the Go Fishing in Victoria initiative. The following rivers have been selected as Premier Rivers:

• Hopkins River – a stretch located between Warrnambool and Allansford in southwest Victoria. Popular estuarine species targeted in this area include black bream, estuary perch and mulloway
• Goulburn River – including 2 sections. Between Eildon and Alexandra there is a popular trout fishery and a second section around Shepparton that provides a good opportunity for anglers to target native species.
• Kiewa River – near Wodonga in northeast Victoria, provides good trout fishing opportunities and a Murray cod fishery upstream.

The three rivers that have been selected will be promoted as favoured sites for progressing and experienced anglers to fish for wild fish populations. The above stretches have been selected in consideration of the accessibility for anglers, the quality of the fishing experience and the species of fish that anglers are likely to catch.

The Premier Rivers will undergo works to provide improved facilities and access for anglers over the next 3 years and will also host fishing events that will promote fishing as a family activity. An information package will also be developed for each of the rivers what will provide handy information anglers may need when visiting the sites.

For more information call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/gofishing.

Public comment sought for the Draft Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan

Recreational anglers and other interested parties are invited to comment on the Draft Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve (LTFR) Management Plan.

The fisheries reserve has been established to provide enhanced recreational fishing opportunities and to improve the management and monitoring of these fishing opportunities.

The development of the Draft LTFR Management Plan has been supported by a steering committee of interested stakeholders including the Victorian Recreational Fishing peak body (VRFish), Fisheries Co-Management Council (FCC), Parks Victoria, East Gippsland Shire Council, local Indigenous groups and East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.

The Draft LTFR Management Plan specifies how to manage fishing activities within the LTFR for the next 10 years. The plan includes strategies to monitor fishery trends and the status of key target species and research which will identify key fish habitats in the inlet.

The Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan describes:

• The geography of Lake Tyers, information on recreational fishing activities and other uses/values of the inlet and surrounds that may affect recreational fishing opportunities;
• Current management arrangements for fishing activities and other relevant values/uses of the inlet and surrounds;
• Goals, objectives, performance indicators and actions for management of fishing activities in the LTFR; and
• A process for participating in management of other relevant values/uses in and around the inlet.

A copy of the Draft LTFR Management Plan can be obtained from www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing, by contacting the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Customer Service Centre on 136 186, or from the DPI Office at 10 Staunton Street, Lakes Entrance.

Written submissions on the Draft LTFR Management Plan should be sent to Ms Jodie Simpson, Fisheries Planning Officer, Fisheries Victoria, PO BOX 337, Lakes Entrance, VIC, 3909 or email – Jodie.Simpson@dpi.vic.gov.au. Submissions will be accepted until Friday 15 December 2006.

Compliance update

A Sunshine North man was found to be in possession of 8 black bream of which 7 were grossly under the legal size limit of 26cm. The man was found to be fishing without a current recreational fishing licence and provided false and misleading information to the Fisheries Officers whom inspected his bag. All 8 fish were returned to the river.

A Simpson man (southwest of Colac) is expected to be charged on summons with using and possessing commercial fishing equipment and taking and possessing fish during the closed season. The man was using illegal drum nets that are a enormous threat to the sustainability of fish populations and other native aquatic wildlife such as platypus, tortoises and birds.

Make a difference within your fishery

Interested organisations can now apply for grant money that is available to fund projects that improve recreational fishing opportunities for Victorian anglers.

The Recreational Fishing Grant Program initiated in 2001 and has since allocated over $6 million to 184 projects.

Grant applications can be made under the following four categories:

• Recreational fisheries sustainability and habitat improvement (including fish stocking);
• Recreational fishing access and facilities;
• Recreational fisheries research; and,
• Recreational fisheries related education, information and training.

For further information on how to apply contact the Fisheries Revenue Allocation Committee Executive Officer on (03) 9658 4369, the Department of Primary Industries Customer Service Centre on 136 186, or visit the DPI website www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing.