Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News
Public Misses Out If Commercial Fishing BannedPlans to ban netting by commercial fishermen in Western Port and other parts of the State could deny people the opportunity of purchasing fresh, local fish right across the State, according to The Nationals. By Peter Hall - 18th October 2007 - Back to News The Nationals Resources and Environment spokesperson Peter Hall attempted to water down legislation to ban netting in Western Port, based on the figures which show commercial and recreational fishing can comfortably co-exist in many areas.
Mr Hall expressed his disappointment that all other parties had meekly ‘rolled over’ in the face of a Government decision to ban netting in Western Port, when the Government’s own figures had shown that the catch had not decreased at all in the last six years.
He also said the action would put at risk the availability of fresh fish to the general public.
"One of the great attractions of going to a coastal area of Victoria is to sample local product," Mr Hall told Parliament. "Who would not go to Lakes Entrance and buy fish and chips? Who would not go to Welshpool or Corner Inlet and buy fish and chips?
"The attraction of travelling to Lorne or Apollo Bay or Warrnambool is that you can purchase local product. It is the same with restaurants along the Mornington Peninsula, the Bellarine Peninsula and all along the coastal areas. You go there and look for local product on the menu.
"(But) in places like Mallacoota, for example, where the government compulsorily closed down commercial netting, there is no local product available for purchase.
"I make the claim that once we close commercial netting in Western Port you will not be able to go to places like San Remo, Cowes, Hastings, Flinders or any of the other communities around the coastal areas of Western Port and purchase locally caught product.
"There will be an impact on businesses such as those in the restaurant and hospitality industry. The tourism industry will also suffer because of the lack of opportunity to supply fresh food and attract people.
"Moreover, the alarming thing is what will happen if this trend continues. It was only a little over 12 months ago that we saw a compulsory closure of commercial fishing in Lake Tyers in Gippsland and also at Mallacoota Inlet. Now we are seeing it being closed in Western Port bay. What will be next?"
Mr Hall quoted from Government sources in regard to fish numbers in Western Port, which demonstrated that fish numbers were not at risk from commercial fishing.
"I refer to a document, produced by the government, by the Department of Primary Industries, entitled Fisheries Victoria Commercial Fish Production Information Bulletin, published in November 2006.
"King George whiting is a very popular species in Western Port. The figures show the actual (commercial) take of whiting from Western Port over the last six years.
"In 1999-2000 the take was 12 tonnes of King George whiting; currently it is 11 tonnes. If you look at the figures throughout you can see that they have been very consistent over that period of time. In 1999-2000 the total catch (commercial and recreational) out of Western Port was 62 tonnes; it is now 56 tonnes. There has been very little variation."
Mr Hall said the information on snapper showed a similar trend.
He quoted the Fisheries Co-Management Council 2005-06 annual report, which said: In the past few years anecdotal information suggests that anglers in Port Phillip Bay and Western Port bay have experienced the best snapper fishing for decades.’’
Mr Hall added: "It goes on to say: ‘... the estimated total recreational snapper catch taken from Victorian waters was about 475 000 fish that weighed 330 tonnes. In 2000-01 the total reported Victorian catch was 74 tonnes."
Mr Hall said with just 74 tonnes taken commercially, as opposed to 330 tonnes in an estimated recreational take, less than a quarter of snapper are caught commercially.
"If the fisheries are booming in Western Port, as stated by the co-management council, and if the commercial catch is only about a quarter of that taken by recreational fishers, I again make the claim that the removal of commercial netting from Western Port would have no significant impact on fish resources or resource management in Western Port."
Mr Hall said the Government’s decision was not based on scientific grounds, but was "ideological, philosophical and political opportunism."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
Related Articles- Southern Rural Water upgrades over meters across Gippsland to improve accuracy and fair water management
Southern Rural Water is replacing 1,000+ outdated meters across southern Victoria by 2026, boosting accuracy, compliance, and fair water management under national standards - with no cost to customers. - Shop Local in South Gippsland to strengthen community, support jobs, and keeping our economy thriving together everyday
Shopping locally in South Gippsland strengthens our economy, supports jobs, services, and community groups. Every dollar spent locally multiplies impact, with increased spending boosting growth by millions annually. Shop Local South Gippsland. - South Gippsland Seniors Festival offers free and low-cost events to connect, create, and celebrate together
South Gippsland celebrates Victorian Seniors Festival this October with 60+ free and low-cost events across nine towns, inviting over-60s to connect, create, celebrate, and enjoy community through sport, arts, learning, and fun. - Southern Rural Water urges water users to monitor, manage, and comply as Spring forecast warns above-average rainfall
The Bureau predicts above-average spring rainfall and warmer temperatures across eastern Australia. Southern Rural Water urges monitoring usage, maintaining bores, and following regulations to ensure fair, efficient water management. - South Gippsland Eat, Drink Play Festival celebrates local food, drinks, live music, kids' activities, and outdoor fun and other updates
Eat Drink Play Gippsland returns this spring at Leongatha Railway Precinct, showcasing regional food, drink, and live music. With daytime tastings, evening entertainment, and kids' activities, it's a family-friendly celebration of Gippsland. - South Gippsland Shire Council invites the community to join the Garage Sale Trail on November and other projects
Australia's biggest second-hand treasure hunt returns this November across two weekends, offering households the chance to declutter and earn cash, while bargain hunters uncover unique finds and help divert goods from landfill. - Over 350 attended Youth Agritech Expo, experiencing hands-on innovation and future opportunities in modern farming industry
More than 350 people joined East Gippsland's Youth Agritech Expo, where students explored hands-on agricultural innovations, from drones to driverless tractors, sparking fresh excitement about farming's high-tech, diverse, and innovative future. - East Gippsland hosts Youth Agritech Expo showcasing farming futures and career pathways for young people on 17 September 2025
East Gippsland will host the Youth Agritech Expo, offering farm tours, hands-on experiences, and showcasing agricultural career pathways, technology, and innovation to inspire the next generation and build a skilled workforce. - Melina Bath criticises Labor government shutting public beekeeping, threatening Victoria's food security and horticultural jobs
Melina Bath condemned the Allan Labor government's closure of public land beekeeping, warning it threatens food security, pollination, horticultural exports, and regional jobs, calling for policy reversal and support for apiarists. - Peri Urban Councils urge state government to invest in infrastructure and support housing growth across regions
Peri Urban Councils Victoria is urging government investment in infrastructure after a new report recommended 40% of new homes be built in regional Australia, highlighting housing demand, high costs, and infrastructure pressures. - Melina Bath criticises Labor government, calling Myki's delayed tap-and-go rollout a "mythical unicorn," outdated and incompatible
Victoria's long-promised tap-and-go public transport system has been delayed until 2028, leaving commuters, especially in regional areas, still reliant on outdated Myki cards and paper tickets - Inverloch dairy farmer Mick Hughes highlights community collaboration survive South Gippsland's dry season challenges
Inverloch dairy farmer Mick Hughes credits collaboration with the Inverloch Cluster and local water authorities for navigating South Gippsland's recurring dry conditions and improving farm drought resilience. - Melina Bath criticised Labor's plan to create new national parks, locking out long-term bush users
Liberals and Nationals oppose Labor's plan to convert 65,000 hectares into national parks, citing unfair exclusion of bush users despite strong opposition and a 40,000-signature petition against the proposal. - Serious crime rises reflect community concerns, worsened by Labor's cuts, weakened bail, reduced youth programs, says Melina Bath
Crime in Eastern Victoria has reached a 20-year high, with Melina Bath condemning Labor's soft approach, police under-resourced, and The Nationals vowing stronger laws, prevention programs, and community safety reforms. - Tim Bull urges state government to fund Surf Life Saving, preventing East Gippsland ratepayers covering government shortfalls
Gippsland East MP Tim Bull urges state government to fund Surf Life Saving Victoria, warning councils face doubled contributions while new Emergency Services levy strains East Gippsland and Wellington budgets. - From Job expos to farms and sports awards connecting communities across East Gippsland through events and advocacy
From jobs expos to farm visits, sports awards, and community projects, recent weeks highlighted East Gippsland's talent, resilience, and collaboration, advocacy, and opportunities that strengthen local communities. - Gippsland Water launches Community Emergency Support Team to assist and support locals during emergencies
Gippsland Water has launched a Community Emergency Support Team to provide safe water, information, and local assistance during bushfires, floods, storms, and power outages, working alongside emergency services and communities.
|
|
