The Victorian Government is delivering on its election commitment to remove commercial fishing nets from Port Phillip Bay by April 1, 2022, with only eight snapper long line fishery licences remaining.
The government has also invested $27 million to transition the bay from commercial netting into a recreational fishing haven, with more than 600 tonnes of additional fish soon to be available for Victorians to reel in.
The Victorian Fisheries Authority will start talks on the amount of other species that can be caught alongside the long line snapper.
The VFA notice proposes no more than one tonne of flathead, one tonne of shark and two tonne of other species (excluding King George whiting and calamari).
Recreational fishing is worth more than $3.9 billion to the Victorian economy, supporting 33,000 jobs, with in excess of 840,000 Victorians on the water each year.
“We are working hard to deliver our election commitment, whilst also supporting existing licence holders and maintaining the health of Victoria’s much-loved Port Phillip Bay,” Victorian Fishing and Boating Minister Melissa Horne said.
Shepparton News chief correspondent
