The Parties Speak
In the lead up to the 2018 Victorian election, VRFish has been engaging with various State political parties and advocating how they can make fishing better for all of Victoria’s 838,000 recreational fishers. VRFish launched an 8 point plan to make fishing better in the lead up to the Victorian State Election.
VRFish is an apolitical, non-profit organisation and the purpose of the checklist is to ensure future recreational fishing policies of Victorian political parties are clear to the 838,000 recreational fishers of Victoria, and so that you can make your own judgement and analysis.
Quick Reference Checklist Against VRFish 2018 State Election Policy
| VRFish Policy/Strategy | The Greens | Labor | Liberal-Nationals | Shooters, Fishers and Farmers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invest $30 million into a habitat fund for on-ground fish habitat action. |  | |  | |
| 100% return of recreational boating and registration and licence fees into a Trust Fund | | | | |
| Establish on single expertise-based agency to oversee, build and maintain our boating infrastructure |  | | | |
| Fair and respectful compulsory buy-out of commercial netting in Gippsland Lakes | | | | |
| Fish Recovery Plan for Gippsland Lakes |  | | | |
| Recognise Victoria’s fishing peak bodies in providing a single and independent voice of the fishing sector | | | | |
| Build a purpose built native fish hatchery in northern Victoria | | | | |
| Investigate feasibility for a marine and estuarine fish hatchery | | | | |
| $10 million to restart Victoria’s purpose-built artificial reef and FADs network | | | | |
| Maintain current fish stocking rates and continue to develop new fisheries | | | | |
| Support a VRFish access program | | | | |
| Allow on-water access to Tullaroop Reservoir by electric motors, canoes and kayaks | | | | |
| Review the allocation of funds from the Recreational Fishing Trust Account | | | | |
| Empower recreational fishers by investing in education programs, extension, training and leadership | | | | |
| Return to Co-management principles | | | | |
| Create 10 year Blueprint for Victorian Fisheries | | | | |
| Fisheries Regulation 2009 review formally involving peak bodies | | | | |
Legend
| Yes, supported | Partial support/positive | Unsure | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | |
Disclaimer
This information has been compiled in good faith. This information is based on responses against the VRFish 2018 election policy with information received directly from the political party and obtained from public announcements. We strongly recommend this information is read in conjunction with detailed responses available below and the complete set of all policies obtained directly from political parties. This information is not intended to be a how to vote guide. Any errors or discrepancies can be reported to [email protected].
Detailed Responses
The Greens Victoria
| POLICY / STRATEGY | RESPONSE |
|---|---|
| Will your party MAKE FISHING BETTER THROUGH HABITAT by:investing $30 million into a habitat fund for on-ground fish habitat action benefiting our marine, estuarine and freshwater fisheries? | The Victorian Greens support improving the habitat of our native animals, including our marine life. We will support projects that protect the health of our lakes and rivers and preserve the habitat of native fish. |
| Will your party FIX OUR BOAT RAMPS by: ✓100% return of recreational boating registration and license fees to a Trust Account to build, maintain and improve Victoria’s recreational boating infrastructure. ✓Establish one single expertise-based agency to oversee, build and maintain our boating infrastructure. | We believe funding for maintaining boat ramps should be paid for by the people who use them, including through boating and licence fees. |
| Will your party SAVE OUR GIPPSLAND LAKES by: ✓Implementing a formal fishery recovery plan for Victoria’s iconic Gippsland Lakes Fishery including: • a fair and respectful compulsory buy-out of Gippsland Lakes Fishery Access Licenses; • a review of recreational fishing bag and size limits for black bream; • addressing factors suppressing the natural recruitment of black bream, including habitat improvement and mitigating saline intrusion, and implement a restocking program. | The Greens support efforts to protect the Gippsland Lakes from overfishing and improve the health of the lakes and fish habitat. We are calling for a proper assessment of the environmental, economic and cultural effects of current lake usage so any decisions about the Gippsland Lakes’ future are based on evidence. |
| Will your party SUPPORT A STRONGER VOICE FOR ALL FISHERS by recognising Victoria’s fishing peak bodies in providing a single and independent voice of the fishing sector to Government. | The Victorian Greens welcome the advocacy work of Victoria’s fishing peak bodies. We will continue to work with VRFish and other fishing peak bodies to work towards a sustainable future for Victoria’s fishing industry. |
| Will your party create MORE FISH, AND BETTER FISHING by: ✓Building a purpose-built native fish hatchery in northern Victoria to boost our freshwater fisheries stocking program, recovery of our threatened fish species and support any future National Carp Control Program. ✓Investigate the feasibility for a marine and estuarine fish hatchery to supply prawns, black bream, estuary perch, Australian bass, mulloway and flathead. ✓$10 million to restart Victoria’s purpose-built artificial reef program and expansion of the coastal Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs) network. ✓Maintain current fish stocking rates and continue to develop new recreational fisheries (i.e. (i.e. Lake Bellfield, Pykes Creek Reservior and Upper Stoney Creek Reservior). ✓Support a VRFish fishing access program to protect access to our fishing locations, gain access to closed areas and address conflict. ✓Allow on-water access to Tullaroop Reservoir by electric motored vessels, canoes and kayaks. | The Greens support conservation and sustainable management measures that ensure the replenishment of fishing stocks, including low-impact, sustainable native fish hatcheries.We are committed to investing $3 million in rebuilding Port Phillip Bay’s oyster and mussel reefs, and we will continue to support efforts to protect the restored oyster reefs from the threats of over-harvesting, dredging and pollution.We also support funding for river bank restoration including by farmers to fence off river banks to better protect our rivers. |
| Will your party INVEST IN OUR SECTOR by enhancing our Recreational Fishing Trust Account by: ✓ Matching dollar for dollar recreational fisher license fee contribution to the Recreational Fishing Trust Account. ✓ Reviewing the allocation of funds from the Recreational Fishing Trust Account. | We do not support funding the sector in this manner, as opposed to funding particular projects focused on habitat preservation, ensuring sustainability and education. |
| Will your party EMPOWER RECREATIONAL FISHERS by: ✓ Investing $4 million over 4 years for the recreational fishing sector to coordinate and deliver: • community and school education programs; • extension and adoption programs to improve best practice and fish welfare, and; • leadership and training initiatives to build capacity within our sector to meet current and future challenges. | The Victorian Greens support a community education program for recreational fishing in Victoria that focuses on sustainability, best practice and fish welfare. |
| Will your party PLAN FOR OUR FISHING FUTURE by: ✓ Returning to co-management fishery principles ✓ Creating a 10-year Blueprint plan for Victoria’s fisheries including science, management, policy and enforcement needs and capabilities. ✓ Fisheries Regulation 2009 review formally involving peak bodies to achieve simpler rules, less red tape and support the sustainability and optimisation of Victoria’s fishery resources. | The Greens want to see sustainable fishing practices in Victoria that have the least impact on native animal habitat, soils, water and climate. Any changes to Victorian fishing rights and management plans should always be based on evidence based research and should protect our coastal and freshwater environments and allow for sustainable fishing and recreation. We support a long-term plan for Victoria’s fisheries that emphasises sustainability, habitat management and responsible fishing. |
Labor
| POLICY/ STRATEGY | RESPONSE |
|---|---|
| Will your party MAKE FISHING BETTER THROUGH HABITAT by: investing $30 million into a habitat fund for on-ground fish habitat action benefiting our marine, estuarine and freshwater fisheries? | Labor will commit $2.5 million to reefs in Port Phillip Bay. |
| Will your party FIX OUR BOAT RAMPS by: ✓ 100% return of recreational boating registration and license fees to a Trust Account to build, maintain and improve Victoria’s recreational boating infrastructure. ✓ Establish one single expertise-based agency to oversee, build and maintain our boating infrastructure. | Labor will fix boat ramps, abolish all boat ramp parking and launching fees and make sure that every cent of licencing and registration fees is spent on boating safety and facilities. Victorian families know that the costs of parking and launch fees can make a day on the bay an expensive outing, and poorly maintained facilities take the fun out of boating. Labor will establish a Better Boating Fund to immediately get to work on urgent boat ramp upgrades including at Mordialloc, Queenscliff, Point Richards, Hastings and Rhyll. Having already invested $1.8 million to revitalize the Cowes Jetty precinct, Labor will undertake critical jetty maintenance works at the much-loved Cowes Jetty. Paying to park your car and trailer at a boat ramp will be a thing of the past with Labor committing to abolish boat ramp parking fees, saving families up to $315 a year on an annual parking permit. There’ll also be eight new casual berths across the bay accessible to the public. |
| Will your party SAVE OUR GIPPSLAND LAKES by: ✓ Implementing a formal fishery recovery plan for Victoria’s iconic Gippsland Lakes Fishery including: • a fair and respectful compulsory buy-out of Gippsland Lakes Fishery Access Licenses; • a review of recreational fishing bag and size limits for black bream; • addressing factors suppressing the natural recruitment of black bream, including habitat improvement and mitigating saline intrusion, and implement a restocking program. | Labor will end commercial fishing in the Gippsland Lakes, buying out the last of the commercial fishing licences and return the lakes system for recreational fishing to boost local tourism and jobs. |
| Will your party SUPPORT A STRONGER VOICE FOR ALL FISHERS by recognising Victoria’s fishing peak bodies in providing a single and independent voice of the fishing sector to Government. | N/A |
| Will your party create MORE FISH, AND BETTER FISHING by: ✓ Building a purpose-built native fish hatchery in northern Victoria to boost our freshwater fisheries stocking program, recovery of our threatened fish species and support any future National Carp Control Program. ✓ Investigate the feasibility for a marine and estuarine fish hatchery to supply prawns, black bream, estuary perch, Australian bass, mulloway and flathead. ✓ $10 million to restart Victoria’s purpose-built artificial reef program and expansion of the coastal Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs) network. ✓ Maintain current fish stocking rates and continue to develop new recreational fisheries (i.e. (i.e. Lake Bellfield, Pykes Creek Reservior and Upper Stoney Creek Reservior). ✓ Support a VRFish fishing access program to protect access to our fishing locations, gain access to closed areas and address conflict. ✓ Allow on-water access to Tullaroop Reservoir by electric motored vessels, canoes and kayaks. | Building on the success of the Andrews Labor Government’s record $46 million investment in the Target One Million program, Labor will invest in a massive boost to fish stocking and better planning for fishing tourism. Our fishing industry is booming but Victoria is buying around four million fish a year from interstate suppliers to supplement the close to 1.7 million fish bred at Victoria’s existing Snobs Creek hatchery each year. Only Labor will ensure Victoria’s fishing industry is independent and not reliant on importing fish stocks from New South Wales, with $7 million to build a new native fish hatchery in Shepparton. The region’s warmer climate will allow the new hatchery to focus on breeding popular warm water native species such as Murray cod and golden perch. This will create local jobs and guarantee fish stocking levels with native fish bred in Victoria. More than 830,000 Victorians enjoy recreational fishing and the industry employs more than 16,000 Victorians, with many in regional areas. Under Labor, fish stocking will grow to 10 million a year by 2022, which means more fish to catch, and more tourism for fishing towns. Labor will implement a stocking program for prawns in Lake Tyers Labor has committed to non-powered access to more waterways, including Tullaroop Reservoir, Lauriston, Hepburn, Upper Coliban and Malmsbury reservoirs. Labor will guarantee access from crown land with grazing licences. |
| Will your party INVEST IN OUR SECTOR by enhancing our Recreational Fishing Trust Account by: ✓ Matching dollar for dollar recreational fisher license fee contribution to the Recreational Fishing Trust Account. ✓ Reviewing the allocation of funds from the Recreational Fishing Trust Account. | N/A |
| Will your party EMPOWER RECREATIONAL FISHERS by: ✓ Investing $4 million over 4 years for the recreational fishing sector to coordinate and deliver: • community and school education programs; • extension and adoption programs to improve best practice and fish welfare, and; • leadership and training initiatives to build capacity within our sector to meet current and future challenges. | Labor will create more regional jobs with a new fishing tourism plan. Labor will invest $200,000 into running Vic Fish Kids events. |
| Will your party PLAN FOR OUR FISHING FUTURE by: ✓ Returning to co-management fishery principles ✓ Creating a 10-year Blueprint plan for Victoria’s fisheries including science, management, policy and enforcement needs and capabilities. ✓ Fisheries Regulation 2009 review formally involving peak bodies to achieve simpler rules, less red tape and support the sustainability and optimisation of Victoria’s fishery resources. | N/A |
| Additional comments | For those who want to take their love of fishing from the ramp to the road, VicRoads will offer a new range of recreational fishing designed licence plates for cars, introduced as part of the range of custom plates. |
Liberal-Nationals Coalition
| POLICY/ STRATEGY | RESPONSE |
|---|---|
| Will your party MAKE FISHING BETTER THROUGH HABITAT by investing $30 million into a habitat fund for on-ground fish habitat action benefiting our marine, estuarine and freshwater fisheries? | The Liberal-Nationals will establish a $30 million Fish Habitat Restoration Fund to invest in marine, estuarine and freshwater habitat restoration throughout Victoria. We want to restore native fisheries throughout Victoria, and continue improving Victoria’s success stocking program. Successful projects could include artificial reefs, fish ladders, fish pumps, fish screens, revegetation projects. We also know the recreational fishing sector would like to play a bigger role in these sorts of projects, and our Fish Habitat Restoration Fund will encourage partnerships. A Liberal Nationals Government would work with interested stakeholders such as VR Fish, Seafood Industry Victoria, OzFish Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and Futurefish to develop a set of priority projects for the Fund, looking for co-investment and leverage opportunities where possible. We want to make sure our fisheries are as healthy as possible, now and into the future. We are receptive to project ideas that VRFish has put forward, and we have also received suggested projects from other stakeholders. We will develop a Bay Strategy 2040 and Gippsland Lakes Sustainability Plan. Both these will include investment in habitat restoration in Port Phillip Bay and the Gippsland Lakes. |
| Will your party FIX OUR BOAT RAMPS by: ✓100% return of recreational boating registration and license fees to a Trust Account to build, maintain and improve Victoria’s recreational boating infrastructure. ✓ Establish one single expertise-based agency to oversee, build and maintain our boating infrastructure. | We’ll return all revenue from boating fees into a brand new Blue Water Infrastructure Fund that will invest in boat ramps, car parks and other boating infrastructure. We’ll appoint the Victorian Ports Corporation Melbourne to manage the development of major boating infrastructure. The boating and fishing groups have been asking for this and we’ve listened. The Blue Water Infrastructure Fund is about delivering a better and fairer deal for local boaties and recreational fishers. The Liberal Nationals Blue Water Infrastructure Fund will help provide first-class infrastructure and services for recreational water users - like more boat ramps, jetties, navigational lighting as well as onshore facilities such as bigger car parks and cleaning tables. At the moment, Victorian boat users pay significant fees to the State Government every year but only a portion of that money is invested into better infrastructure and services for water users. Under a Liberal Nationals Government, the Blue Water Infrastructure Fund will return all proceeds of collected boating fees into improving the facilities for the boating community. Boating users raise significant revenue for the Victorian Government through boat licensing and other fees. In 2016/17 the State Government returned just 11.6 per cent of the $27.7 million annual boating revenue on boating infrastructure. The $3.23 million compares to investment in NSW of $17 million and in Queensland of $15 million annually. A Liberal Nationals Government will appoint the Victorian Ports Corporation Melbourne (VPCM) to manage marine infrastructure development in the state. The VPCM has the appropriate expertise to oversee and coordinate all planning, funding, construction and maintenance of marine infrastructure in Victoria. This is modelled on the NSW system. A Liberal Nationals Government will also appoint a land management authority which will by default oversee or have management rights over boat ramp infrastructure. That may be VPCM or another delegated authority to be created. There will be exceptions on a case-by-case basis where the current managers are doing a good job - we will enter into MoUs for them to continue managing the infrastructure. Recreational boating is estimated to contribute $4.5 billion to the Victorian economy each year. There are some 193,000 registered boat owners, 1 million boating participants annually and 17,700 full-time jobs supported. In addition, recreational fishing generates a combined direct and indirect contribution of more than $7.1 billion per year and supports more than 30,000 full-time jobs. We will abolish boat ramp parking and launching fees. Recreational fishing and boating already makes a huge contribution to local economies across Victoria. The Liberal Nationals believe the time has come to abolish boat ramp parking and launching fees. Annual parking permits can cost up to $315 for families, but under the Liberal Nationals’ plan this cost will be a thing of the past. |
| Will your party SAVE OUR GIPPSLAND LAKES by: ✓ Implementing a formal fishery recovery plan for Victoria’s iconic Gippsland Lakes Fishery including: • a fair and respectful compulsory buy-out of Gippsland Lakes Fishery Access Licenses; • a review of recreational fishing bag and size limits for black bream; • addressing factors suppressing the natural recruitment of black bream, including habitat improvement and mitigating saline intrusion, and implement a restocking program. | A Gippsland Lakes Sustainability Plan will be developed in consultation with commercial and recreational fishing sectors, the community and other relevant stakeholders. It will include a voluntary buyback of commercial fishing licences to secure a sustainable fishery for future generations, and also look for opportunities to carry out habitat restoration works. Up to $2 million will be committed for the voluntary buyback of commercial licences. |
| Will your party SUPPORT A STRONGER VOICE FOR ALL FISHERS by recognising Victoria’s fishing peak bodies in providing a single and independent voice of the fishing sector to Government. | The Liberal Nationals recognise VRFish as the representative body for Victorian recreational fishing and are supportive of maintaining and enhancing the relationship between the Victorian Government and VRFish. |
| Will your party create MORE FISH, AND BETTER FISHING by: ✓ Building a purpose-built native fish hatchery in northern Victoria to boost our freshwater fisheries stocking program, recovery of our threatened fish species and support any future National Carp Control Program. ✓ Investigate the feasibility for a marine and estuarine fish hatchery to supply prawns, black bream, estuary perch, Australian bass, mulloway and flathead. ✓ $10 million to restart Victoria’s purpose-built artificial reef program and expansion of the coastal Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs) network. ✓ Maintain current fish stocking rates and continue to develop new recreational fisheries (i.e. (i.e. Lake Bellfield, Pykes Creek Reservior and Upper Stoney Creek Reservior). ✓ Support a VRFish fishing access program to protect access to our fishing locations, gain access to closed areas and address conflict. ✓ Allow on-water access to Tullaroop Reservoir by electric motored vessels, canoes and kayaks. | Stocking more native fish, in more fisheries around Victoria • We will go ahead with the plans to invest $7 million to build a native fish hatchery near Shepparton. • We want to continue expanding Victoria’s successful fish stocking program. Victoria’s native and salmonid (trout and salmon) fish stocking programs have gone from strength to strength. Under the Liberal Nationals Government 2010-2014, new records were reached for the number of fingerlings stocked into waterways around Victoria, reaching 2 million native fish stocked for the first time in 2013. The program continues to expand. In 2018 program, some 4.8 million native fish were stocked into Victorian waters including record numbers of Murray cod, golden perch, silver perch and Australian bass. Some of the fish stocked have been bred at the Snobs Creek fish hatchery, which operates with funding from the State Government and the RFL Fund. But the growth in the program means Victoria is now also purchasing some 4 million fish from interstate suppliers. A new hatchery in Victoria will mean we can boost Victoria’s fish breeding capacity and reduce reliance on interstate suppliers. A location around Shepparton is ideal because the warmer climate will be ideal for breeding warm water species like Murray Cod and golden perch which are popular with anglers. This project will also deliver an additional benefit of construction and ongoing operational jobs in this region. A Liberal Nationals Government will be committed to boosting our successful fish stocking programs so that there are more fish in more waterways around the state for our recreational fishers to catch. The Liberal Nationals will boost native fish breeding in Victoria with a new $7 million hatchery in the Shepparton region, we can decrease our reliance on interstate supplies, stocking more native fish and getting more people fishing. - Continue Victoria’s fish stocking program and explore opportunities to expand the program and improve all fisheries. We have a strong track record of developing and expanding Victoria’s fish stock programs when in government between 2010-2014. Improve access for recreational fishers • Allow on-water access for recreational fishers to Tullaroop Reservoir. • Explore opportunities to improve access to existing fisheries and secure access to new and emerging fisheries. VRFish has made a specific request for on-water access for recreational fishing at Tullaroop Reservoir (near Carisbrook). We think this is a sensible proposition and if we are elected, we will ensure it happens. A Liberal Nationals Government will also be welcome to other sensible proposals that would increase access for recreational fishing. |
| Will your party INVEST IN OUR SECTOR by enhancing our Recreational Fishing Trust Account by: ✓ Matching dollar for dollar recreational fisher license fee contribution to the Recreational Fishing Trust Account. ✓ Reviewing the allocation of funds from the Recreational Fishing Trust Account. | If elected, the Liberal Nationals will work with stakeholders to review the allocation of funds from the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account and the current approach to funding recreational fishing projects with the goal of enhancing outcome for recreational fishers. |
| Will your party EMPOWER RECREATIONAL FISHERS by: ✓ Investing $4 million over 4 years for the recreational fishing sector to coordinate and deliver: • community and school education programs; • extension and adoption programs to improve best practice and fish welfare, and; • leadership and training initiatives to build capacity within our sector to meet current and future challenges. | As above. |
| Will your party PLAN FOR OUR FISHING FUTURE by: ✓ Returning to co-management fishery principles ✓ Creating a 10-year Blueprint plan for Victoria’s fisheries including science, management, policy and enforcement needs and capabilities. ✓ Fisheries Regulation 2009 review formally involving peak bodies to achieve simpler rules, less red tape and support the sustainability and optimisation of Victoria’s fishery resources. | Under a Liberal Nationals Government fisheries management will be focused on the sustainable management of fisheries resources for the benefit of all Victorians, including recreational fishers, commercial fishers, consumers and the broader community. The Liberal Nationals approach to fisheries management is based on the principle that decision making must be guided by the best available science. If the recreational and commercial fishing sectors are supportive of a return to co-management principles, then a Liberal Nationals government would be open to working with all sectors to facilitate this. We are committed to and very keen to ensure we are engaging with stakeholders, including VRFish, in government so that together we can keep developing and enhancing the recreational fishing experience here in our State. The VRFish motto sums it up well - Let’s make fishing better, for everyone. |
| Additional Comments | We will work with stakeholders including VRFish, tourism boards and local government to develop a Recreational Fishing Tourism Strategy for Victoria Recreational fishing already generates jobs and investment around the State, and its time Victoria had a formal strategy for encouraging Recreational Fishing Tourism. Victoria has so much to offer as a destination, and we know that recreational fishing can help drive investment into local economies. The Liberal Nationals are also committed to developing a Bay Strategy 2040 to guide the recreational, environmental, commercial, and tourism use and regulation of Port Phillip bay to 2040. We envisage Bay Strategy 2040 is also an opportunity to develop a holistic habitat recovery plan, and would look forward to VRFish’s input. |
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Victoria
| POLICY/ STRATEGY | RESPONSE |
|---|---|
| Will your party MAKE FISHING BETTER THROUGH HABITAT by: investing $30 million into a habitat fund for on-ground fish habitat action benefiting our marine, estuarine and freshwater fisheries? | Money spent on improving habitat is vital to providing great fisheries. Notwithstanding direct funding for this, we believe that current land managers must include recreational impacts in projects that are undertaken. |
| Will your party FIX OUR BOAT RAMPS by: ✓ 100% return of recreational boating registration and license fees to a Trust Account to build, maintain and improve Victoria’s recreational boating infrastructure. ✓ Establish one single expertise-based agency to oversee, build and maintain our boating infrastructure. | All funds from recreational boating registration and licence fees must be spent improving boating infrastructure and facilities. |
| Will your party SAVE OUR GIPPSLAND LAKES by: ✓ Implementing a formal fishery recovery plan for Victoria’s iconic Gippsland Lakes Fishery including: • a fair and respectful compulsory buy-out of Gippsland Lakes Fishery Access Licenses; • a review of recreational fishing bag and size limits for black bream; • addressing factors suppressing the natural recruitment of black bream, including habitat improvement and mitigating saline intrusion, and implement a restocking program. | Issues surrounding the Gippsland lakes are in need of serious investigation. The SFFP supports compulsory buyouts of commercial licences if those activities are have a negative effect on fisheries or are unsustainable. |
| Will your party SUPPORT A STRONGER VOICE FOR ALL FISHERS by recognising Victoria’s fishing peak bodies in providing a single and independent voice of the fishing sector to Government. | We believe that all peak bodies must be independent of Government. Only then can they truly represent the fishing sector. Compliance with Government should not affect funding of any organisation. |
| Will your party create MORE FISH, AND BETTER FISHING by: ✓ Building a purpose-built native fish hatchery in northern Victoria to boost our freshwater fisheries stocking program, recovery of our threatened fish species and support any future National Carp Control Program. ✓ Investigate the feasibility for a marine and estuarine fish hatchery to supply prawns, black bream, estuary perch, Australian bass, mulloway and flathead. ✓ $10 million to restart Victoria’s purpose-built artificial reef program and expansion of the coastal Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs) network. ✓ Maintain current fish stocking rates and continue to develop new recreational fisheries (i.e. (i.e. Lake Bellfield, Pykes Creek Reservior and Upper Stoney Creek Reservior). ✓ Support a VRFish fishing access program to protect access to our fishing locations, gain access to closed areas and address conflict. ✓ Allow on-water access to Tullaroop Reservoir by electric motored vessels, canoes and kayaks. | The SFFP have already campaigned to have a second native fish hatchery built in Northern Victoria. We will ensure that Government maintains its stocking programs and that they use locally sourced fish. The SFFP have campaigned for access to public land in many areas and believe that managing bodies have not kept up with the maintenance required to provide that access. We will ensure that land managers have the funding and resourcing needed to maintain tracks and infrastructure on public lands. |
| Will your party INVEST IN OUR SECTOR by enhancing our Recreational Fishing Trust Account by: ✓ Matching dollar for dollar recreational fisher license fee contribution to the Recreational Fishing Trust Account. ✓ Reviewing the allocation of funds from the Recreational Fishing Trust Account. | The SFFP will hold any government to their promises and ensure that they make proper investment into the recreational fishing sector. |
| Will your party EMPOWER RECREATIONAL FISHERS by: ✓ Investing $4 million over 4 years for the recreational fishing sector to coordinate and deliver: • community and school education programs; • extension and adoption programs to improve best practice and fish welfare, and; • leadership and training initiatives to build capacity within our sector to meet current and future challenges. | Communication and education about best practices is paramount to ensuring the future of fishing in Victoria. Promoting sustainable fishing within schools will ensure that the next generation of anglers have the right skills and mindset to ensure proper management and use of our fisheries. Additionally we don’t think it gets much better than seeing kids outdoors and enjoying themselves doing something like fishing. |
| Will your party PLAN FOR OUR FISHING FUTURE by: ✓ Returning to co-management fishery principles ✓ Creating a 10-year Blueprint plan for Victoria’s fisheries including science, management, policy and enforcement needs and capabilities. ✓ Fisheries Regulation 2009 review formally involving peak bodies to achieve simpler rules, less red tape and support the sustainability and optimisation of Victoria’s fishery resources. | Peak bodies must be formally involved in any review of fisheries regulation to ensure that they meet the expectations of the fishing community. Removing red tape and over complicated regulations are always a priority of the SFFP. Regulations must be achieving their desired outcome and that outcome must not be simply to make things hard for anglers. |
| Additional Comments | The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party play a key role in the Victorian Parliament of keeping the major parties honest. We promise that we will hold the Government to account for their commitments and will work for better outcomes for all Victorian anglers. |
