A NEW fishery management plan for rock lobsters was launched two Saturdays ago at the Apollo Bay Seafood Festival.<\/p>\n
Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) Chair Gail Owen said rock lobsters were one of Australia\u2019s most highly prized seafood delicacies and Victoria\u2019s most valuable commercial fishery with a landed catch value of $25 million per annum.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe commercial rock lobster industry supports fishing and processing businesses across the state, providing valuable jobs in regional ports such as San Remo, Queenscliff, Apollo Bay, Port Campbell, Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland,\u201d Ms Owen said.<\/p>\n
\u201cRock lobsters are also very popular with recreational fishers right along our coastline.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s vital we continue to look after this important fishery by ensuring it remains sustainable.<\/p>\n
\u201cKey components of the management plan are new rules that guide the setting of commercial catch quotas each year using the best available science.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe new plan is the third for the fishery and builds on the excellent work undertaken previously to enhance the sustainability of rock lobster stocks and make the commercial fishery the most valuable wild-caught fishery in Victoria.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe new plan was developed through intensive consultation and guided by an independently chaired, stakeholder-based, steering committee.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Owen said the plan included the three-year tagging trial that will, for the first time, help estimate the overall annual harvest of rock lobsters by recreational fishers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe tagging trial, which began last year, is an Australian-first that has been embraced by recreational rock lobster fishers with more than 4,800 people signed up via the new \u2018VicRLTag\u2019 app and website.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver summer, fishers have reported using more than 5,000 tags on recreationally caught rock lobster with many more expected through Easter and autumn.\u201d<\/p>\n
To view the new rock lobster management plan visit vfa.vic.gov.au\/lobsterplan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A NEW fishery management plan for rock lobsters was launched two Saturdays ago at the Apollo Bay Seafood Festival. Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) Chair Gail Owen said rock lobsters were one of Australia\u2019s most highly prized seafood delicacies and Victoria\u2019s most valuable commercial fishery with a landed catch value of $25 million per annum. \u201cThe […]<\/p>\n