VICTORIAN Fisheries Authority has confirmed fishing will be off limits during stage 3 of the state’s COVID-19 restrictions.
“Under Victorian Stage 3 measures, the Victorian Stay at Home Direction provides exceptions for four reasons to leave your house; for food and supplies, exercise, medical care and work and education (if necessary). Exercise means a run or walk in your local vicinity. It is not fishing,” said a spokeswoman for Vic Fisheries.
Victorian fishers have questioned whether fishing for food would be allowed and pointed out the disparity between the department’s definition of “buying food and supplies” vs the Health and Wellbeing Act’s more broad terminology.
Vic Fisheries said the state’s stay at home directions allow people to shop for food or drink.
“Recreational fishing does not fall within this exception. Fishing is an additional, non-essential activity that increases the chance of spread.”
Exercise has also been ruled out as a reason to fish, which differs from yesterday’s decision in NSW.
“The Department of Heath and Human Services have listed exercise as walking the dog, yoga in the park or going for a run or bike ride in your local vicinity. The fish will get bigger and more prevalent and will still be there once restrictions are lifting,” said the spokeswoman.
“There are only four permitted activities under the Stay at Home Direction. Fishing is an additional, non-essential activity that increases the chance of spread. Lives are more important than fish.”
