MEDIA RELEASE

Friday, 23 October 2020

WORK STARTS ON REEF RESTMORE RAINBOW TROUT COMING TO METROPOLITAN LAKES

More families will have the chance to catch the fish of a lifetime in metropolitan Melbourne, with a further 500 ‘stonker’ rainbow trout stocked into lakes around Melbourne this week.
Minister for Boating and Fishing Melissa Horne said following a positive response to the first round of fish stockings, 500 more trout were making their way to Melbourne’s lakes.
The rainbow trout weigh at least 4 kilograms each, with some up to 7 kilograms, and add to the 500 catchable-size trout recently stocked into metropolitan lakes.
The latest round of lakes being stocked include:
• Albert Park Lake (90 fish)
• Karkarook Lake (60)
• Yarrambat Lake (60)
• Lilydale Lake (45)
• Pakenham Lake (40)
• Navan Park Lake (30)
• Spavin Lake (30)
Lakes in Berwick, Emerald, Casey Fields, Rowville, Roxburgh Park, Caulfield and Ferntree Gully are also being stocked with additional fish.
For the full metropolitan list of ‘stonker’ stocked waters, an interactive map showing your nearest location and the dates each lake will be stocked can be seen at www.vfa.vic.gov.au/metrostonkers.
A daily bag limit of five trout applies to family fishing lakes, of which only two trout can exceed 35 centimetres. To learn more about catch limits visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au/fishingguide or download the free ‘Vic Fishing’ app for smartphones.
Under current restrictions, fishing and boating are permitted activities within 25 kilometres of home or permitted workplaces, with up to 10 people from a maximum of two households allowed. You must be able to keep 1.5m distance from others, including while on a boat, and you must wear a fitted face mask at all times unless a lawful exemption applies.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne
“As restrictions safely and gradually ease, visiting these lakes for family-friendly activities like fishing makes for an ideal way to enjoy the outdoors.”
“It’s great to see fishers safely wet a line again and this stocking program will give more people that opportunity in lakes close to their homes.”

Media contact: Kieran Jones 0421 031 900 | kieran.jones@minstaff.vic.gov.au

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday 21 October 2020

GOOD NEWS FOR BREAM NUMBERS IN GIPPSLAND LAKES

A survey of black bream spawning success in the Gippsland Lakes has recorded its second highest level of the last ten years.

Victorian Fisheries Authority CEO Travis Dowling said the survey results are terrific news for the Gippsland Lakes system, which is now free of commercial net fishing thanks to the State Government’s $35 million Target One Million plan.

“These scientific surveys are done annually at 50 sites in the Gippsland Lakes to provide a time series of information about the spawning success of key species,” Mr Dowling said.

“Specialised sampling methods during winter catch juvenile black bream less than one year old, which are typically less than 10cm long.

“The abundance of these small bream provides a snapshot of how successful the previous spawning season was and enables fisheries managers to predict the health of the fishery in years to come.

“Spawning variation from year to year is normal and influenced by environmental factors such as river flows and waterway health, however the trend over the last four years is significantly better than the six years prior.

“Black bream take about six years to reach the minimum size of 28cm, which means this relatively strong pulse of small bream will enter the fishery in 2026/27.

“Recreational fishers won’t have to wait that long though because the strongest spawning year of the last 10 was in 2017 and those fish will enter the fishery from 2023/24.”

Mr Dowling reminded fishers that the Gippsland Lakes Recreational Fishery Plan is currently out for public comment until 28 October.

“The Plan will accelerate the recovery of key species including black bream and dusky flathead and return the lakes to a recreational fishing mecca by improving fish habitat, installing artificial reefs and stocking fish.”

To learn more and complete the online survey with your feedback on the Plan, visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au/gippslandlakes

Media contact: Amelia Crafter 0437 801 068

MEDIA RELEASE

Friday, 9 October 2020

WORK STARTS ON REEF RESTORATION IN PORT PHILLIP BAY

Fishers will soon reap the rewards of new infrastructure in Port Phillip Bay, with work now underway on the first of two major reef projects near Geelong.
Minister for Boating and Fishing Melissa Horne said reef works have started at Nine Foot Bank off Geelong Arm, using an Australian-first restoration technique.
The degraded shellfish reef will be restored through the deployment of 500 square metres of recycled shells from restaurants and the seafood industry. The recycled shells will create new substrate on the seafloor for the remaining oysters in the area to colonise.
The restored reef will provide more habitat for fish in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria’s largest recreational fishery and home to outstanding snapper, whiting, flathead and calamari fisheries.
The government is investing $500,000 in the reef at Nine Foot Bank – which is being built in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, which is contributing $600,000 to the project. Construction and seeding at the site will be finished by the end of the year.
The start of works at Nine Foot Bank comes just a week after a further $700,000 was announced to build three other reefs in Corio Bay.
The reef restoration projects will improve the marine ecosystem by enhancing water quality and marine biodiversity.
Target One Million is delivering better fishing across Victoria’s bays, estuaries, lakes and rivers by stocking record numbers of fish, removing commercial net fishing from Port Phillip and the Gippsland lakes, and improving fish habitat including reef development.

Media contact: Kieran Jones 0421 031 900 | kieran.jones@minstaff.vic.gov.au

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday, 13 October 2020

FUNDING A BETTER BOATING FUTURE FOR ALL VICTORIANS

The Victorian Government will deliver on its promise to reinvest boating fees directly back into the industry, with a new dedicated fund set to invest millions of dollars back into boating each year.
The Better Boating Fund will ensure every cent of the approximately $30 million of boat licensing and registration fees collected each year goes towards improving boating for all Victorians.
Legislation introduced into Parliament today will create the Fund, which will be dedicated to priorities including recreational boating facilities and boating safety and education across the state.
The Fund will also ensure there is more transparency for boaters to see where their licence and registration fees go.
The Victorian Government will develop a strategy to determine the priorities for investment and this strategy will be co-designed with key boating stakeholders.
The development of the strategy will be a priority once the legislation has been introduced and there will be opportunities for public engagement throughout the process.
The Government has already abolished all boat ramp parking and launching fees, saving families up to $315 a year on annual parking permits.
A major $40 million investment is also going towards upgrading six priority boat ramps across the state. Work is underway at the Hastings boat ramp and Cowes Jetty, and planning for the upgrades of Mordialloc, Queenscliff, Point Richards and Rhyll boating facilities is progressing.
Boat ramps and jetties are also now open thanks to an easing of coronavirus restrictions, and people can go fishing and boating within five kilometres of home for a maximum of two hours.
A limit of either one household or a maximum of five people from two households can go out together as long participants can safely socially distance and wear a face mask.
Recreational boating supports more than 20,000 jobs and is worth almost $8 billion a year to the Victorian economy, with the number of boating registrations increasing by 2.5 per cent on average each year over the past eight years.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne
“We’re delivering on our promise to reinvest every dollar of boating fees back into recreational boating, improving boating experiences for Victorian families and supporting jobs and businesses in this important industry.”
“This is landmark legislation which will transform the way the boating industry is managed in Victoria.”
“We’re continuing to deliver important upgrades to make boating easier and safer for families across the state.”

Media contact: Kieran Jones 0421 031 900 | kieran.jones@minstaff.vic.gov.au

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday 6 October 2020

‘STONKER’ RAINBOWS RELEASED FOR METRO FAMILY FUN

Eighteen Metropolitan Family Fishing Lakes are currently being stocked with 500 ‘stonker’ rainbow trout to bolster recreational fishing fun with some big catches.

Victorian Fisheries Authority CEO Travis Dowling said the trout weigh 4kg each and complement the large number of catchable size trout already stocked into Family Fishing Lakes.

The stockings are funded by fishing licence fees and the State Government’s $35 million Target One Million plan for recreational fishing.

Metropolitan Family Fishing Lakes boast good access with waterside platforms, walking tracks, picnic areas and other facilities, creating a wonderful environment for people to get some fresh air whilst wetting a line.

Stonker releases started this week and will be completed by Wednesday, October 14.

Rainbow trout are perfect for those new to fishing because they’re easy to catch and taste great on the plate. Metropolitan Family Fishing Lakes being stocked this week and next are:

• Albert Park Lake (60)
• Lillydale Lake (45)
• Emerald Lake (15)
• Caulfield Racecourse Lake (30)
• Don Lake (15)
• Garfield Lake (10)
• Lilliput Lane Reserve (10)
• Pakenham Lake (30)
• Casey Fields Lake (20)
• Berwick Springs Estate Lake (20)
• Roxburgh Park Lakes (10)
• Yarrambat Lake (60)
• Rowville Lakes (15)
• Karkarook Lake (60)
• Spavin Lake (30)
• Navan Park Lake (15)
• Darlingsford Lake (15)
• Ferntree Gully Quarry (40)

A daily bag limit of 5 trout applies to Family Fishing Lakes, of which only 2 trout can exceed 35cm. For more information about catch limits visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au/fishingguide or download the free ‘Vic Fishing’ app for smartphones.

Under the Second Step of Metropolitan Melbourne’s roadmap to easing restrictions, fishing is a permitted activity within 5km of home or permitted work, with up to five people from a maximum of two households and for up to two hours per day, split into a maximum of two sessions. You must be able to keep 1.5m distance from others, no equipment should be shared and you must wear a fitted face mask at all times.

For the metropolitan list of ‘stonker’ stocked waters, dates and release schedule visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au/metrostonkers

Media contact: Amelia Crafter 0437 801 068

MEDIA RELEASE

Friday 25 September 2020

Fishers in Lakes Entrance now have a bigger, safer spot to wet a line thanks to an upgrade of Reeve Landing Jetty on Bullock Island.

Victorian Fisheries Authority CEO Travis Dowling said the $50,000 project was funded through the Recreational Fishing Grants Program, which invests fishing licence fees into projects that make a difference.

“Works were undertaken by Gippsland Ports, which has added a 6×4 metre extension to provide more space for fishers targeting the local bream, crabs and Australian salmon,” Mr Dowling said.

Other features include new handrails and a non-slip base to increase safety.

A trio of seats will be installed in coming weeks.

The jetty provides easy access to the Gippsland Lakes, which will be returned to a recreational fishing mecca under the Draft Gippsland Lakes Recreational Fishery Plan.

The draft plan outlines six steps to enhance the health of the fishery, including fish stocking, proposed changes to bag and size limits for black bream and improved fish habitat and waterway health.

Removing commercial netting is also a key part of the plan and was achieved in April this year, 12 months ahead of schedule, delivering on a key commitment of the State Government’s $35 million Target One Million plan.

The VFA is encouraging fishers to read more about the draft plan and provide feedback during the consultation phase, which runs until October 28, 2020. The draft plan and more details are available at vfa.vic.gov.au/gippslandlakes

Media contact: Joel Peterson 0436 623 647

MEDIA RELEASE

Monday 7 September 2020

The state’s first ever Indigenous fishing club is getting a helping hand to take cultural education and traditional fishing knowledge on the road so it can be shared with more Victorians when it’s safe to do so.

Victorian Fisheries Authority Freshwater Fisheries Manager Anthony Forster said the $15,000 grant would enable the Burnanga Indigenous Fishing Club to build a customised tandem trailer.

The club has more than 30 members and is named after Burnanga, which means cod in the traditional language of the Yorta Yorta people.

Stockings of native fish such as Murray cod across Victoria have hit record numbers thanks to the State Government’s $35 million Target One Million plan and a commitment to increase fish stocking to 10 million fish annually by 2022.

Last summer more than two million cod were stocked in Victorian waters, in addition to more than two million golden perch and nearly 350,000 silver perch.

The Victorian Fisheries Authority, which is administering the grant, is also reaching out to indigenous communities as part of a review of its Aboriginal Fishing Strategy, available at vfa.vic.gov.au/aboriginal-fishing

Media contact: Joel Peterson 0436 623 647

MORE BAY REEFS FOR GEELONG FISHERS

Monday, 28 September 2020

Geelong fishers will reap the rewards of more fishing funding, with the Victorian Government investing $700,000 to install three new reefs in Corio Bay.

Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne today announced Polaris Marine had been appointed contractor to build the new reefs, which will provide more homes for fish and better angling options for residents and visitors.

The new reefs are part of the Government’s $35 million Target One Million investment in improving recreational fishing in Victoria.

The reefs will provide perfect spots for recreational fishers to target popular bay species such as snapper, King George whiting and calamari.

The reef construction will support more than 25 jobs and will make use of local resources such as basalt from the nearby Cherry Creek juvenile justice facility and 100 tonnes of locally sourced limestone.

Once installed, the rocky reefs will be seeded with native oysters and mussels to accelerate their development and encourage colonisation by other marine life. The reefs will be placed at Outer Harbour, Kirk Point and St Helens.

The St Helens reef will deliver better fishing for both boat-based and shore fishers given it will be within casting distance from land.

The rocky reefs are expected to be complete before the end of 2020 and complement the removal of commercial net fishing from Corio Bay in 2018.

Along with the Corio Bay reefs, the $500,000 was recently invested to help The Nature Conservancy build more shellfish reefs at Mornington and Geelong.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne
“More reefs in the bay means more fish habitat, which is like a housing boom for Corio Bay’s marine life.
“We’re building more fishing infrastructure to make sure Victorian fishers get the best bang for their buck out of their fishing licences.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Lara John Eren
“This is great news for Corio Bay, because it will make it easier for residents to access fantastic fishing areas and it will also be a drawcard for fishers outside Geelong.”
“This project will provide jobs for people working in maritime construction and will be a long-term boost for the region.”

Media contact: Kieran Jones 0421 031 900 | kieran.jones@minstaff.vic.gov.au

FISHERIES BIG BUILD IS ON

Monday 31 August 2020

Work is underway on two exciting developments that will make fishing even better across the state.

Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) CEO Travis Dowling said the Snobs Creek hatchery facility, near Eildon, is undergoing a $1.2 million revitalisation and a new fisheries officer station is being established at Braeside.

“We recognise the importance of fishing to Victorians and the economy, which is why we’re investing in a Big Build within the Victorian Fisheries Authority,” Mr Dowling said.

“The Snobs Creek redevelopment is the first major upgrade at the site since 2000, with old and redundant buildings to be demolished and the remaining core complex renovated to provide a modernised workplace for more than 20 people.

“The works will create valuable space to further increase fish production at Snobs Creek so more Murray cod can be stocked into fisheries across the state including Lake Eildon, the Goulburn River and Lake Eppalock.

“Breeding bigger numbers of trout cod and Macquarie perch is on the agenda too and will support other recovery efforts for these valued native species.

“We also want to ramp up trout production for stocking into iconic freshwater lakes like Purrumbete, Bullen Merri and Wendouree.

“Increased capacity to grow fish at Snobs Creek will help deliver a key commitment of the State Government’s $35 million Target One Million phase two plan, which is boosting fish stocking to a record 10 million in 2022.”

Mr Dowling said four fisheries officers would be stationed at the new Braeside site, which will function as both a fisheries office and a depot. It is expected to be open in September.

“The Braeside station will improve Fisheries’ capacity to patrol the south east waters of Port Phillip and provide education and enforcement to a growing Melbourne.

“It will enable officers to more regularly visit inland waters including nearby Karkarook Lake, the upper Yarra River and suburban waters throughout eastern Melbourne.”

Media contact: Joel Peterson 0436 623 647

Abolishing Ramp Fees To Get More Victorians Out On The Water

The Andrews Labor Government is making it cheaper and easier for more Victorian families to get out on the water by abolishing parking and launching fees at public boat ramps.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Fishing and Boating Jaala Pulford visited the Warmies boat ramp at Newport today to announce that parking and launching at boat ramps across Hobsons Bay City Council is now free.

The costs of parking and launch fees can make a day on the bay more expensive than it should be. That’s why the Labor Government promised to remove launching and parking fees at all public boat ramps across the state.

The abolition of fees at the Warmies boat ramp is the first step in delivering on this major election commitment and will save families up to $315 a year on an annual parking permit.

Boat ramps at Port Welshpool, Portland, Corinella, Lake Nagambie and Torquay are also now free, as well as four ramps managed by Bass Coast Shire Council. Every public boat ramp across Victoria will be free by Spring – ready for the busy summer boating period.

Better Boating Victoria was established earlier this year to oversee the introduction of free parking and launching, and deliver upgrades and maintenance at Mordialloc, Queenscliff, Point Richards, Hastings, Rhyll and Cowes Jetty.

It’s all part of the Labor Government’s unprecedented investment in boating and fishing that will ensure every dollar of licence and registration revenue goes towards improving boating facilities and safety.

Better Boating Victoria is building on the success of the Labor Government’s record investment in the Target One Million program which includes a huge boost to fish stocking, a new native fish hatchery and better planning for fishing tourism.

For more information visit transport.vic.gov.au/betterboating.