Fisheries Victoria
'A fortnightly round-up of recreational fisheries management issues'
Fish-e-Fax Issue 203, 30 August 2007
Go Fishing in Victoria Family Fishing event dates for September
Bass yabby
Two Family Fishing events will be held in September 2007. The first event will be held at Kennington Reservoir (Bendigo) on Sunday 2 September and the second event will be at Lillydale Lake (Lilydale) on Saturday 22 September.
Both events will be Family Fishing Festivals (major events), offering instructed fishing clinics, workshops designed to teach various fishing techniques and a range of displays, stalls, attractions and non-fishing activities to cater for the whole family.
The Customer Service Centre (CSC) is now taking registrations for both events. To guarantee a spot in the workshops, participants can call the CSC on 136 186.
Daily catch limit introduced for Bass yabbies
A daily bag and possession limit of 100 Bass yabbies has been introduced for recreational anglers following concerns that large quantities are being gathered and illegally sold.
Unlicensed fishers have been pumping commercial quantities of Bass yabbies from Port Phillip Bay and Western Port bay, and selling them for bait. This is illegal because recreational fishers are not entitled to sell their catch, including the bait they collect. Taking yabbies at a commercial rate will deplete their numbers and have broader ecosystem impacts.
Reports from members of the public and observations by Fisheries Officers indicate individuals and groups have been taking Bass yabbies in quantities far greater than what would be needed for personal use.
The increased use of Bass yabbies as bait in inland waters appears to be supported, at least in part, by yabbies collected from Port Phillip and Western Port bay and sold by unlicensed fishers.
Fisheries Victoria believes these quantities are consistent with the taking of Bass yabbies for illegal sale.
Although Bass yabbies are widely known as excellent bait for marine and estuarine fish such as whiting and bream, they have also become popular with freshwater anglers targeting inland native species such as golden perch.
Fisheries Victoria believes the best way to manage the problem before it leads to a significant depletion of Bass yabby stocks is to introduce recreational catch limits.
Those found exceeding the new limits risk on-the-spot fines or could face charges in court with maximum penalties over $2000.
Members of the public who observe suspected illegal fishing activity are reminded to call the 13FISH Offence Reporting Service on 13 3474 at any time, seven days a week.
$5 Million boost for boating safety and facilities
Recreational boating across Victoria will be safer, more accessible and even more pleasurable thanks to a $5 million investment in improved facilities and safety upgrades.
The funding under this year's Boating Safety and Facilities Program (BSFP) will be available to search and rescue organisations, community groups, government agencies, local councils and waterway authorities.
Projects aim to help improve access to our waterways, with grants available to build and upgrade boat ramps and jetties.
The program will also improve safety on our coasts, rivers and lakes by funding training and education initiatives, providing new search and rescue vessels, improving navigation and safety signage and enhancing marine communications.
More than $26 million has already been invested under this program in projects that are making boating safer and more accessible to more Victorians, and the State Government has committed a further $20 million to continue this initiative over the next four years.
As well as community projects, the BSFP also supports initiatives such as boating safety research, boating and Personal Water Craft (PWC) safety education programs and the Young Boaters Education Program.
New Life Saving Victoria vessels launched have received more than $260,000 from the Boating Safety and Facilities Program in 2004-05 and will be used throughout Victoria.
The vessels include two personal water craft (jet skis) and three six-metre Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) for rapid responses to people and vessels in distress.
The BSFP is funded from recreational boat operator licensing fees and vessel registration revenue.
Eligible organisations are urged to submit an application for the 2007-08 program.
The closing date for applications is Friday, 28 September, 2007. For more information on the program or for a copy of the application booklet, contact Marine Safety Victoria on 1800 337 222 or visit Marine Safety (external site).
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