Rec fishing body calls for end to Melbourne's boating lockout
VRFish says it’s time to end the travel ban for boaters and get on with snapper seasonVictoria’s recreational fishing lobby has pleaded with the state for guaranteed access to Melbourne’s fishing grounds as the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown starts to eat into snapper season.
The Victorian Recreational Fishing Peak Body, also known as VicFish, has written to Premier Daniel Andrews seeking an immediate return to fishing and boating in greater Melbourne, as well as “guarantee access to our iconic snapper season in Port Phillip Bay and Western Port”.
“In both Australia and overseas, recreational fishing and boating has been proven a COVIDSafe outdoor activity,” VRFish said in an open letter signed by VRFish chairman Rob Loats.
“The health, wellbeing and social connection benefits for Melbourne’s recreational fishers
must now be a priority over the extremely low risk of virus transmission during safe
recreational fishing and boating activity.”
VRFish said the state’s chief health officer had deemed recreational boating and fishing a safe form of exercise, the current 5km travel restriction – greater Melbourne residents are not allowed to travel more than 5km from their homes or approved workplaces under current restrictions – had created “an unfair and depressing situation for the majority of recreational fishers” living or working more than 5km from a boat ramp.
“Recreational fishers of Melbourne have sacrificed their chosen lifestyle, recreation and wellbeing to support the fight against COVID-19,” the letter reads.
“A full return to recreational fishing and boating in Melbourne is immediately required to remedy observed and declining health and wellbeing outcomes.
“VRFish stands ready to assist the Victorian Government in providing advice, as well as supporting recreational fishers and boaters to continue to undertake a COVID-safe outdoor activity.”
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is expected to announce a slight easing of lockdown restrictions, which are tipped to include expanding the current 5km travel ban to 20km.
It is also believed to be considering easing the so-called “ring of steel” around greater Melbourne, which will allow boaters living in the city’s south-eastern suburbs to gain access to areas of Western Port that are currently closed off to them.
Victoria introduced fines of almost $5000 for anyone living in the greater Melbourne area who defied the travel restrictions and ventured out into regional parts of the state.
The $4957 fine is the largest on-the-spot fine ever legislated in the state.
Under the metropolitan lockdown, anyone in Melbourne caught more than 5.0 kilometres from their home without a valid reason has faced a $1652 fine.
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