March 31, 2018
Tomorrow marks a significant milestone in Victorian recreational fishing with commercial net fishing in Geelong’s Corio Bay officially coming to an end.
In 2016, 33 of 43 licence holders left Port Phillip Bay’s commercial net fishery, accepting compensation packages funded through the Labor Government’s Target One Million initiative. A further licence holder is currently in the process of exiting the fishery.
We have already seen a boost to the catches of our favourite fishing species like snapper, King George whiting, flathead and squid. Not only is this a great outcome for local fishers but also for regional tourism businesses.
The remaining nine licence holders in the Port Phillip Bay commercial net fishery may continue to fish using existing methods, including nets, under a strict catch limit. Of those nine, eight elected to stay in the non-net fishery after 2022 using mainly longlines, fishing lines and squid jigs.
The local recreational fishing community who were integral in receiving bi-partsian support for the net buy-out are hosting a Celebration Day on April 15 and all are welcome.