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Fisheries Victoria
'A fortnightly round-up of recreational fisheries management issues'

 

Fish-e-Fax Issue 182, 12 October 2006

Have Your Say - West Gippsland Fishery Management Plan

Fisheries Victoria is calling on recreational fishers and the community to "have a say" on the preparation of the West Gippsland Fishery Management Plan.

The Management Plan is being prepared to manage fishing activities in the West Gippsland region.

Lake Narracan in the West Gippsland region
Lake Narracan in the West Gippsland Region

An important step in the preparation of the Management Plan is to seek the views of recreational fishers and other community members on values or issues associated with fishing in the West Gippsland region. In particular, to assist in preparing the Management Plan we would like to know:

What species of fish are the most important for recreational fishing in the lakes, rivers and estuaries of the West Gippsland CMA region?
What factors do the community believe are limiting their ability to target or catch these species?
How can recreational fishing opportunities be enhanced in the West Gippsland CMA region?

Recreational fishers and others can have their say on these matters by attending a public meeting and/or by sending their views in writing to Fisheries Victoria.

Four public meetings will be held to discuss the development of the Management Plan. Meetings will be held at:

Location Date Address Time
Sale 30 Oct 2006 Hacienda Motel, Cnr Princes Hwy & Raymond St 7:30 – 9:30pm
Leongatha 31 Oct 2006 Leongatha Memorial Hall Complex, Meeting Rm # 1. Enter via Michael Place 7:30 – 9:30pm
Traralgon 1 Nov 2006 Traralgon Golf Club, Princes Highway 7:30 – 9:30pm
Ellinbank 2 Nov 2006 DPI Office, 1301 Hazeldene Road 7:30 – 9:30pm

Written submissions on fishing in the West Gippsland region should be sent to Jodie Simpson - Fisheries Planning Officer, Fisheries Victoria, PO BOX 337, Lakes Entrance VIC 3909, or email - Jodie.Simpson@dpi.vic.gov.au and will be accepted until close of business on Friday 24 November 2006.

There will be further opportunities for community participation in the planning process when the draft Management Plan is released for public comment in the middle of 2007.

Public Comment Sought for the Draft North East Fishery Management Plan

Fisheries Victoria are seeking comment for the Draft North East Fishery Management Plan (NEFMP) over the next two months from recreational anglers and the community.

The development of the Draft NEFMP has been supported by a steering committee of interested stakeholders including the Victorian Recreational Fishing peak body (VRFish), Fisheries Co-Management Council, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Goulburn-Murray Water, local Aboriginal groups and the North East Catchment Management Authority.

The Draft NEFMP is the culmination of work since December 2005 to specify management arrangements for recreational fishing activities in the North East region over the next five years.
The North East supports high quality salmonid, redfin and native recreational fisheries which provide significant social and economic value to the region's communities.

Of note in the region are the popular recreational fishing rivers in the Ovens, Kiewa, Mitta Mitta and Upper Murray Basins and impoundments like Lake Hume and Lake Dartmouth.

The Draft NEFMP includes a strategy to measure the social and economic benefits of possible alternative trout fishing regulations. The Draft NEFMP also includes strategies to assess the sustainability of Murray cod and Murray spiny crayfish fisheries. The plan provides a process for improving angler access which will be implemented by VRFish.

Fisheries Victoria encourages recreational anglers and other interested community groups to provide comment on the Draft NEFMP. Submissions will be accepted until close of business on Friday 1 December 2006. A copy of the Draft NEFMP can be obtained from What's New web page or by contacting the Department of Primary Industries Customer Service Centre on 136 186. Written submissions on the Draft NEFMP should be sent to Mr Anthony Plummer, Fisheries Planning Officer, Fisheries Victoria, PO BOX 4440, Melbourne VIC 3001, or email - Anthony.Plummer@dpi.vic.gov.au .

Great Outdoors and Fishing Expo 2006

The Great Outdoors and Fishing Expo will be held at Melbourne's Exhibition Centre from 4pm, Thursday 26 October until 6pm, Sunday 29 October.

The expo is an angler's paradise with all the latest in fishing tackle, lures, accessories and information. This year the Fisheries Victoria stand will showcase the "Go Fishing in Victoria" initiative that aims to promote recreational fishing as a family activity. Other highlights for the Fisheries Victoria stand include a display tank holding live fish, an educational quiz competition for the kids and the release of the new "Go Fishing in Victoria" calendar which will be handed out to the public.

For further information on displays, entry fees and opening times, interested parties can check out the Fishing Show Expo (external link)

August stocking figures

Water Species Number Water Species Number
Eildon Lake Rainbow trout 10,000 Barkers Creek Reservoir Brown trout 5,000
Hume Lake Brown trout 12,520 Eildon Pondage Weir Brown trout 400
St Georges Lake Brown trout 1,000 St Georges Lake Rainbow trout 1,000
Wombat Reservoir Brown trout 1,000 Wombat Reservoir Rainbow trout 1,000
Narracan Lake Brown trout 2,000 Narracan Lake Rainbow trout 3,000
Bullen Merri Lake Chinook salmon 2,470 Tarwin River Rainbow trout 1,000
Purrumbete Lake Brown trout 9,670 Purrumbete Lake Rainbow trout 5,330