UNDER an elected Liberal Nationals Government, recreational fishers and boaters will benefit from an enhanced fish stocking program and better access to Victorian fisheries, according to election commitments released by the party this week.
If elected, the Liberal-National Party says they will implement a Nine Point Plan for Better Fishing Across Victoria, which includes:
- Establishing the new Blue Infrastructure Fund, which will return all revenue from boating fees back into better boat ramps, car parks and other boating infrastructure,
- Free parking at boat ramps and no launching fees,
- A $30 million Fish Habitat Restoration Fund to restore native fisheries throughout Victoria,
- Developing a Bay Strategy 2040 to guide the recreational, environmental, commercial and tourism use and regulation of Port Phillip Bay,
- Working with key recreational fishing stakeholders to developing a Recreational Fishing Tourism Strategy for Victoria,
- Securing a sustainable future for the Gippsland Lakes with a voluntary buyback on commercial fishing licences and investigating restoration works to boost fish stocks,
- A new $7 million fish hatchery at Shepparton to boost native fish stocks,
- Exploring opportunities to improve access to existing fisheries, and new and emerging fisheries, and;
- Ensuring fishing licence fee revenue is being used for maximum benefit to improve recreational fishing.
They say they will make it a priority to work with the recreational fishing sector to develop plans for the future, to make sure our fisheries are as healthy as possible, now and into the future.
You can read the full press release HERE.
