My Big Catch: A new minister for fishing and boating

FOR those that may have missed it, we have a new Minister for Fishing and Boating after Premier Daniel Andrews announced a cabinet reshuffle on June 22 because of a major scandal, which claimed three ministers and sparked a police investigation.

Jaala Pulford, who held the fisheries portfolio since 2014, has now been moved to Small Business, Innovation, Medical Research, and the Digital Economy, with the Victorian Fisheries Authority also becoming a standalone statutory authority.

Ms Pulford leaves with the best wishes of most of the fishing fraternity.

However, with all the discussion around the COVID-19 virus, quarantine failure and the causes behind it, not as much attention has been given to this announcement as to who the new minister is and what she brings to her new position.

So, for those that want to know and have yet to hear, the new Minister for Fishing and Boating is Melissa Horne, who was moved from her role as Public Transport Minister by the Premier.

Her current portfolios comprise:

• Minister for Ports and Freight
• Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation
• The local member for Williamstown

And now she is your Minister for Fishing and Boating. We can only wait to see how she performs, and hope she is as good as a performer as Jaala Pulford.

I would also like to remind everyone also to keep those photos coming in of your own big catch! We will now even take older photos of your big catch previously if they have not yet been published. Photos: Please forward them to the email address below, with type of fish, weight, length, location, and your name. I am more than happy to place your photos in My Big Catch. Email photos to [email protected].

Fishing Reports
Weather conditions are still having an effect on catches

Anglesea
A few whiting were being caught
As were pinkies
Reports trevally were also being caught
A few flathead as well
Salmon catches off the beaches continue
The odd gummy shark has also been reported.
Thanks to the Rusty Anglers Angling Club Anglesea

Barwon Heads
Reports out of Ocean Grove are pretty much the same
Reports of a few snapper prior to the turn in the weather
Same with flathead
Whiting were to be had offshore in close
Salmon are still around
A few small whiting and trevally reported in the river.
Reports compliments of the Ocean Grove Angling Club

Torquay
Weather has had a big effect on fishing
Whiting were being caught
As where pinkies
Flathead reports are few
Salmon are still being caught off local beaches
Spring Creek reports small bream.
Reports compliments of the Torquay Angling Club

Queenscliff
St Leonards reports, when fishers get out, consist of King George whiting, flathead, squid, plus a few snapper
Clifton Springs has a few snapper along with whiting, calamari, gummy shark, and the occasional flathead but reports are few and far between
Queenscliff is the same as above with whiting, trevally, flathead, and a few squid reported
The Creek still sees a few trevally and salmon
Swan Bay was seeing a few calamari, whiting and flathead near the mouth
Point Lonsdale was reporting a few salmon, trevally, whiting and snapper
The White Lady is said to be still producing a few whiting, calamari and some snapper
Indented Head was reporting flathead, a few King George whiting, snapper and the odd calamari.

Fishing Club Corner
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