ANGLERS who buy a one or three-year Victorian recreational fishing licence online will receive a plastic licence in the mail under new arrangements to be introduced later this year.
Fisheries Victoria Executive Director, Travis Dowling, said the new plastic licence would be welcomed by keen anglers who wanted something more durable for longer term licences.
“Some bait and tackle shops laminate paper licences for customers to prolong their lifespan given they are often kept in moisture prone environments such as tackle boxes or aboard vessels,” Mr Dowling said.
“Anglers who buy plastic licences online will not spend time and effort replacing water damaged, or worn, paper licences.
“Tackle shops and other retailers will still sell 1 and 3-year fishing licences, along with the shorter 2-day and 28-day options, but all four formats will remain paper-based when bought over the counter. This new online option provides anglers with a choice about their preferred licence format and should reduce the burden on retailers.
“We have commenced a tender process to engage a supplier for the plastic cards and will announce a commencement date for the new arrangements in the months ahead.
“Once implemented, anglers can expect their plastic licence to arrive in the mail within seven days of purchase, with an emailed equivalent to provide short term licence coverage for anglers wetting a line immediately.
“The cost of producing and posting the new 1 and 3-year plastic licences to anglers will be included in the current online purchase price, which is $24.50 and $66 respectively.”
Dowling said online sales of recreational fishing licences had been growing each year and around 40 per cent were now bought this way, which included purchases via smartphones.
“All revenue from the sale of recreational fishing licences will continue to be placed in a Trust Account, from which it is disbursed to fund projects that improve fishing opportunities such as stocking, fish habitat improvement and better access and facilities,” Dowling said.
