- Published:
- Saturday 20 June 2020
Corner Inlet’s sustainable commercial fishery is going one step further thanks to the Andrews Labor Government with new rules that will enhance its reputation as a world class provider of delicious high-value seafood.
Minister for Fishing and Boating Jaala Pulford joined several commercial fishers at Port Welshpool to announce the changes which are now in effect.
The new rules, requested by the majority of the fishery’s licence holders, prohibit: more than two seine net shots in any 24-hour period and the use of more than one type of fishing gear at any given time, inclusive of mesh nets, seine nets, longlines and hoop nets.
Corner Inlet’s 18 commercial licence holders catch 300 to 400 tonnes of fish annually with a landed value of about $8 million.
The fishery catches King George whiting, flathead, flounder, garfish, gummy shark and calamari and has a long, proud history of sustainable fisheries management, driven by the fishers themselves.
Commercial fishing boats in Corner Inlet will also be required to install and operate a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), a move that has been brought forward to 1 August 2020.
VMS utilises satellite technology to provide real-time locational information about boats, which assists the VFA with compliance activity.
The VFA will cover the one-off cost of the VMS units and installation costs of up to $250.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Fishing and Boating Jaala Pulford
“Corner Inlet’s commercial fishers are to be congratulated for their stewardship of the fishery and continued efforts to improve its management to ensure its sustainability.”
“Victorian consumers value fresh Victorian fish and Corner Inlet is a big contributor to what ends up on dinner plates at homes and in some of Melbourne’s finest restaurants.”