September 24, 2020
Buoyed by the Victorian Government’s COVID-roadmap being ahead of schedule VRFish has written to the Premier to call for the safe return of fishing in Metro Melbourne.
VRFish Chairman, Mr. Rob Loats says, “We applaud the efforts in flattening of the COVID-19 curve which has enabled us the opportunity to propose a return to fishing plan to which we believe is safe and responsible.”
“Our key request is to consider recreational fishing as exercise and a permitted activity to leave home under the current restriction levels.”
“We are also asking Premier Andrews to guarantee a snapper season for fishers this year.”
“A return to fishing in Metro Melbourne even in a limited format would be a huge boost for people’s mental health and an opportunity for families to exercise and recreate outdoors in a COVID-safe manner.”
“Recreational fishers in Melbourne and Regional Victoria have demonstrated they are a responsible sector willing to play their part over the last 5 months of restrictions and lockdowns.”
“We have pointed out that most metropolitan recreational fishers live within 5 kms of fishable water. There are 27 stocked family fishing lakes within Metropolitan Melbourne, a number of rivers and of course the coastline of Port Phillip and Westernport Bays.”
“We believe taking a sensible and staged approach would be a win-win for everyone.”
VRFish continues to encourage recreational fishers to follow Government advice and rules on the way to achieving a COVID-normal.