News

COVID Roadmap and Fishing

15 September 2020

Last weekend, Premier Andrews announced the Victorian Government’s roadmap out from the ‘second wave’ of COVID-19 restrictions. So, what’s the plan for reopening for fishing and boating?

If you are in the Metropolitan Melbourne area, recreational fishing is still not a permitted activity in Metropolitan Melbourne. Government has informed VRFish the roadmap has fishing and boating returning at Step 3 which is slated for the October 26. Metropolitan Melbourne moves to Step 3 if there are fewer than five new COVID-19 cases a day, statewide, of which no more than five are from unknown sources, over the 14-day average.

For regional Victoria, recreational fishing is a permitted activity at your closest available locations from home – and is set to be relaxed this week. Today, Premier Andrews announced that regional communities will progress to the Third Step of the reopening roadmap – from 11:59pm on Wednesday 16th September. As part of this next step, travel can resume for regional Victorians holidaying anywhere in regional Victoria. This means, regional Victorians can travel to go fishing in regional Victoria with no travel restrictions. We anticipate there will be more detailed information forthcoming on the official Government websites.

Given the changing nature of the situation and restrictions, we encourage our fishers to stay up-to-date with the current Government information regarding Victoria’s steps towards a COVID-normal.

Further Information

The full Victorian Government’s roadmap for reopening:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) roadmap to reopening

Keep up to date on Victoria’s current restriction levels:

Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHS) – Covid-19 Restriction Levels

Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) – Coronavirus Restrictions

Better Boating Victoria – Coronavirus Restrictions

What is VRFish doing?

  • Requesting Government to provide clear, timely and concise information for recreational fishers
  • Encouraging everyone to play their part to prevent the spread of Covid-19
  • Asking Government to reconsider fishing as a permitted outdoor recreation in Metropolitan Melbourne
  • Supporting fishing clubs and associations to access Covid-19 Support Grants
  • Seeking density quota restrictions clarification on behalf of the Charter Boat Industry
  • Continuing to promote the health and wellbeing benefits of recreational fishing
  • Working with researchers to measure the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on recreational fishing in Victoria

Recommended for you

Subscribe to our mailing list

Join our 50,000+ subscribers in receiving our Fishing Lines News delivered straight to your inbox. Don’t miss out on all the issues affecting your fishing, projects improving your fishing and opportunities to have your say about your fishery.

* indicates required
Communication Preferences (tick all that apply)