Fisheries Victoria is encouraging fishos to have their say on the Draft East Gippsland Fishery Management Plan, which has been released for public comment.
The draft management plan includes proposals to improve recreational fishing activities in East Gippsland. It covers the Mitchell, Wonnangatta, Dargo, Nicholson, Tambo, Snowy, Brodribb, Delegate, Bemm, Cann and Genoa rivers as well as Sydenham, Tamboon and Wingan inlets and the Snowy River estuary.
Executive Director Fisheries Victoria, Anthony Hurst said the draft management plan outlined eleven strategies for sustainably managing the East Gippsland fisheries.
“East Gippsland supports high quality recreational fisheries for black bream, dusky flathead, estuary perch, Australian bass and trout,” Hurst said.
“We want to assess the sustainability of the recreational harvest of these species in the waters of the region.
“Other strategies include encouraging responsible fishing behaviour, monitoring angler values and preferences and working with other agencies to improve angler access while protecting and enhancing fish habitats.
“Another important focus is for Fisheries Victoria to work with East Gippsland Traditional Owners on local fisheries management.”
The estuarine fisheries of Lake Tyers and Mallacoota Inlet are currently addressed in separate fishery management plans and the estuarine fisheries of the Gippsland Lakes will be addressed in a future plan.
The plan was prepared with the assistance of a steering committee with representatives from the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, VRFish, Bidwel Traditional Land Owners, Nindi-Ngujarn Ngarigo Monero Aboriginal Corporation, GunaiKurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation Fishing Subcommittee, East Gippsland Shire Council, Parks Victoria and the Department of Primary Industries.
Copies are available from the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186, Level 16/ 1 Spring Street, Melbourne and the DPI website at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing.
Written comments should be sent to the Fisheries Resource Planning Unit, Fisheries Victoria, GPO Box 4440, Melbourne 3001 or to fishery.managementplans@dpi.vic.gov.au by 11 January 2011.
