NO recreational fisher wants to see the checkerboard coloured car or boat, emblazoned with Fisheries logo of the Victorian Fisheries Authority pull up in the car park or berth next to them at the boat ramp.
Even if you’re doing the right thing, there’s a moment of panic about the licence being up to date, the correct flares and life jackets properly stowed away and, heaven forbid, the catch limits and fish sizes all tickerty-boo.
But if you’re a keen boatie and regular recreational fisherman like Alan Adamson, also a member of the Newhaven Yacht Squadron, there’s a delicate balance with fish stocks that fisheries officers play a crucial role in maintaining.
He has been aghast this week to hear what Community and Public Sector Union officials (CPSU), local MPs, the San Remo Fishermen’s Co-op, and other fishing friends have confirmed, that 27 fisheries officers in the Port Phillip Bay and Western Port Bay have been terminated, effective as early as April this year.
The remaining officers will have an engagement and education role only.
“The vast majority of recreational fishermen do the right thing and obey the limits but without supervision, the 10% to 20% who don’t could easily ramp up their effort and plunder the fish stocks,” said Mr Adamson this week.
“Previously, those who were prepared to break the laws were aware that Fisheries had heavy penalties open to them including confiscating the catch and equipment including boats, trailers and even vehicles if necessary.
“But if there’s no one to enforce the law, the damage to the fish reserves could be quick and devastating.
“We’ve seen what happened to the pipies at Venus Bay without supervision. That’s what you are looking at in Western Port without the effort by Fisheries officers.”
A spokesperson for Minister Dimopoulos con firmed the reported job losses and “change of focus”.
“Going forward, the Victorian Fisheries Authority will be more focused on education and engaging the community with fishing, and some workforce changes have been proposed to reflect this,” said a government spokesperson
“Victoria has the best fishing in Australia and the Victorian Fisheries Authority is making sure that continues.”
Professional fishermen are equally concerned, according to General Manager of the San Remo Fishermen’s Co-op Wolfgang Platzer, who has nonetheless reserved his comment until after consulting members.
In State Parliament on Tuesday night this week, February 18, Eastern Victoria MP Melina Bath raised the issue in the Adjournment Debate in the Legislative Council.
“My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Outdoor Recreation, and it relates to Labor’s decision to cut the number of fisheries officer positions by 27, to just nine, across Port Phillip Bay and Western Port Bay, and in doing so weakening the enforcement efforts and leaving marine environments, recreational fishers and boaters at greater risk,” said Ms Bath.
“The action I seek from the minister is to outline how this government intends to regulate frontline fisheries compliance, create positive education and protect our marine environments.”
Ms Bath went on to say that effective regulation of the marine environment works to ensure that fishing, both recreationally and commercially, remains sustainable and provides maximum value for the community.
“Locals have told me that there is a fleet of five vessels that will soon be sold off and that they are at a loss as to how fisheries compliance will be completed with so few staff and without boats.
“There is enormous respect and cooperation between Western Port commercial operators and fisheries staff, and only last week this saw evidence collected on abalone poaching by divers in Western Port.
“We know that Victorians love fishing and boating, and so I am raising their concerns about the cutting of these enforcement officers, which may well impact on the sustainability of a pastime loved by hundreds of thousands of Victorians.”
The CPSU has also issued a statement on the fisheries officer sackings, reportedly seeking a meeting with Minister Dimopoulos in an effort to rollback the cuts.
“The Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Fisheries Authority has proposed a major change that will significantly affect the protection of our aquatic environments, natural values (being able to access the aquatic environments) and our fisheries (the proposal will result in the decimation of our aquatic environments). Fisheries Officers (FOs) in Victoria ensure this protection for all Victorians,” said Acting Branch Secretary Wayne Townsend.
“FOs provide vital services to Victoria, ensuring that fishing is sustainable, that cetaceans are protected and when entangled are addressed quickly and safely. They enhance the environment by ensuring other agencies, water corporations, councils and the community are aware of issues that arise. Our FOs are on the ground keeping an eye on and reporting concerns that need to be addressed quickly.
“CPSU calls on the Victorian Government to put a stop to this restructure in light of the impacts on Victoria, the VFA workforce and the inducement it will offer to organised crime in our waterways.
The change proposes the following:
* There will be no more Fisheries Officer positions in the State of Victoria
* The current 73 Fisheries Officer positions throughout the state will be replaced with 36 Fisheries Engagement Officer positions, a 50% reduction, predominately focused on community engagement.
* 5 Fisheries Stations will be closed around Port Phillip and Western Port Bay to be replaced by 3 new “Community Hubs”, providing education only
* Only 9 Engagement Officers will service this area, a reduction of 66% in critical staff
* Several Inland Fisheries Stations will be staffed by a single person, with several other regional stations being proposed as two person stations, this impacts worker safety and enforcement abilities.
“This proposal raises huge safety concerns for our members who will be forced to work 1up in situations that can become unsafe very quickly. We are very concerned for the worker safety in this proposed environment. We believe that the impacts of the proposal will have a significant impact on the sustainability of the fisheries environment.”
He said the rationale for this proposal relies on the following flawed arguments:
* State Government budget constraints, which do not relate to the removal of the Fisheries Officer compliance role. Fisheries Officers already operating at 30% vacancy rate which is already below the 10% cut.
* A reduced enforcement presence due to a fictitious view that compliance rates are high and needs no maintenance going forward. Statistics show that there is 16% non-compliance in recreational abalone, 58% non-compliance in intertidal abalone – (taken in waters less than 2 meters deep). 27% non-compliance in other intertidal offences. (molluscs etc) 56% noncompliance in marine national park offending. 20% non-compliance in marine safety (boats and lifejackets) There has been a 50% decrease in boating related deaths since fisheries officers have been enforcing the rules around boat safety.
* Proposal relies on a 3 to 4 person “Major Crime Unit” which already exists. That unit relies heavily on Fisheries Officers to identify, inform and lead investigations into fisheries crime. By gutting FOs on the job this work won’t be able to be done effectively by the VFA creating a risk to meeting our obligations under the Act.
The proposed change has outraged stakeholder groups who know the value of Fisheries Officers protecting our environment.
There are significant risks associated with the proposed change including:
* An increase in non-compliance leading to the destruction of our aquatic environments
* No protection for our Marine National Parks & Sanctuaries
* Obliteration of a proud branch that has serviced the Victorian community for generations
CPSU has a meeting scheduled with the Minister to discuss ongoing vacancies in the VFA, we are looking forward to discussing our concerns about vacancies and the impacts on Victoria.
Background from the government
The Victorian Fisheries Authority is consulting with employees and the union on workforce changes, and all staff will be provided with the support they need through this period.
Most people in the fishing community are doing the right thing – currently there is 90 per cent compliance in the community.
Under the proposed changes, a Major Fisheries Crime unit will be set up to target organised illegal fishing. This unit will be given additional resources so they can target those deliberately doing the wrong thing.
The Victorian Fisheries Authority will continue to provide the resources, services and education the fishing community needs, as required by legislation.
For the Gippsland region, a new community office is planned for Tooradin, while other offices will be established at Carrum and St Leonard’s. Fisheries officers will still be operating around both Western Port and Port Phillip.
What can you do?
Make contact with your local Member of Parliament, Minister for Rec & Outdoor or the Premier to make your voice heard.
