SINCE its introduction in the early 2000s, the Victorian Recreational Fishing License (RFL) system has underpinned the successful development of the sector and delivered significant benefits to recreational fishers across the state. However, since the introduction of an ‘all waters‘ recreational fishing license, the RFL and operation of the trust account has not been independently reviewed to ensure it is meeting our sectors requirements now and into the future.
In late March this year, according to an article on the VRFish website, VRFish wrote to the Minister for Fishing and Boating, the Hon. Jaala Pulford, to request that an independent review of the RFL and trust account occur during this term of government, to modernise and re-engineer the system, in order to address our sector’s future challenges and priorities.
VRFish believes it is essential for this review to occur to deliver a range of benefits to both government and our sector. A review should consider a range of factors, including:
- whether our sector would receive better outcomes through an expression of interest for specific project applications on priority issues;
- addressing factors that are inhibiting our sector applying for funds;
- examining the maximum amount of funding available per project for small and large projects;
- the timing of these funding schemes; and,
- whether establishing a set annual percentage of RFL funds for the RFL Grants Program would assist in greater accountability and certainty.
In early June, Minister Pulford responded to the VRFish request and advised that the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) have been tasked with carrying out a full review of Victoria’s RFL system in consultation with recreational fishers, and are to report back to her by the end of 2019. VRFish, in conjunction with other stakeholders are currently in the process of working with the VFA to finalise a terms of reference, and appoint an independent consultant who will undertake the review over the next few months, in close consultation with stakeholders.
You can read the full article HERE.
