June 10, 2020
Several Corner Inlet fishery license holders have raised concerned about changing fishing practices that may result in the fishery becoming unsustainable. Equally, VRFish has received feedback from recreational fishers who have observed an increase in commercial activity over and above what would be defined as historically ‘normal’ levels. VRFish wrote to the Minister for Fishing and Boating last year that changes were required to reinstate an acceptable balance back to the fishery.
In response to these concerns, the Victorian Fisheries Authority are proposing several changes to the management arrangements for the Corner Inlet commercial fishery through a Fishery Notice.
The objective of this draft notice is to regulate the use of fishing gear and the number of seine net shots. The proposed notice will:
- Prohibit the operation of more than two seine net shots in any given 24-hour period (midnight to midnight) commencing 5pm Sunday to midnight Friday. The seine net shot commences from the “shooting” of the net.
- Prohibit the use of more than one type of fishing gear at any given time inclusive of mesh nets, seine nets, longline and hoop nets.
In addition, the Victorian Fisheries Authority is proposing that all Corner Inlet Fishery Access Licence holders be required to install and operate a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) by 1 September 2020. VMS will ensure the fishery is managed in accordance with best practice principles and will help improve compliance associated with this fishery. This requirement will be implemented through other regulatory processes and is not part of the draft Fisheries Notice.
For those familiar how the fishery operates will know there has been a commercial fishing voluntary code of practice in place which has helped to share the resource amongst commercial operators as well as reduce conflict with recreational fishers.
We are inviting recreational fisher feedback to help develop VRFish’s submission as well as capture any additional thoughts and aspirations for the fishery. Drop us a line at [email protected] and comments close 15 June 2020.
Related Information
View Draft Fishery Notice
Read Consultation Plan
