Fishing for ideas in Victoria

Anglers can suggest ideas and learn more about their recreational fisheries at 13 forums being held across Victoria in April and May.

This is the fourth year that Fisheries Victoria is holding community forums listening to recreational fishers and updating them about what is happening with their freshwater and marine fisheries.

Fisheries Victoria Executive Director Anthony Hurst said broadening engagement with recreational fishers was a key component of the Victorian Government’s $16.2 million Recreational Fishing Initiative.

"We want to hear ideas from fishers at a local level to better align our programs, including how we invest recreational fishing licence fees to improve fishing opportunities," Mr Hurst said.

"The first meeting will be at the Torquay Angling Club on Tuesday, April 17 at 7pm.

"Recreational fishers from multicultural communities are encouraged to attend, particularly the Dandenong and Melbourne forums while the Darnum forum, near Warragul, will cater for female fishers in particular," Hurst added.

Those who cannot make it along on the night can send in their ideas online via www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing

Forums held in 2011 were successful with passionate anglers presenting some great ideas for new programs to make their fishing spots even better places to fish.

Some of the opportunities suggested at the 2011 forums implemented or underway include:
 • Increased engagement with the fishing community with the addition of more regional forums across Victoria, including forums catered for the multicultural community and female anglers
 • Installation of fish cleaning tables at a number of suggested locations
 • Removal of the bag limit for redfin in Victoria
 • Increased engagement with younger anglers, through the development of a Fisheries iPhone and Android applications and the use of social media
 • Building northern native fisheries- improved access and increased stocking at Kow Swamp and in the Gunbower and Loddon systems
 • Interpretive signage at Lake Boga, signage to increase awareness of the protected status of trout cod and Macquarie perch in Seven Creeks and the signage to be installed at Eildon pondage
 • Improved angler access at Nathalia, Echuca, Tooradin and Edenhope
 • Forum to be held at Laburnum Angling Club