Local fishers converge to celebrate net ban

LEOPOLD Angling and Aquatic Club celebrated the end of commercial net fishing from Corio Bay with a family fun day at the weekend.

About 350 people braved wet and windy conditions as they joined Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville on Sunday to mark the landmark occasion and the delivery of a key milestone in the Andrews Labor Government’s Target One Million plan for recreational fishing.

Commodore Ivan Bereza said under the circumstances of bad weather, he was very happy with the turnout. “With rain in the morning, the weather just allowed us a big enough window for the event,” Mr Bereza said. “While we didn’t get as many people there as we would have hoped to, we still signed up 35 new members on the day.”

Guest speakers included Fisheries Victoria Executive Director Travis Dowling, David Kramer from the Futurefish Foundation, and one of Australia’s best fishing talents Aaron Habgood.

The free event also included kid’s activities, a barbecue, discounted fishing gear, a casting competition, boat and marine displays, raffles, prizes and more.

Ms Neville said the removal of net fishing from Corio Bay on April 1 was a major stepping stone in bringing an end to all commercial net fishing throughout Port Phillip Bay by 2022.

“This will leave more fish like snapper, King George whiting, flathead and calamari for families to catch themselves, with flow-on economic benefits to regional tourism businesses,” she said.

“The good news for recreational anglers continues with recent research by the Victorian Fisheries Authority confirming another excellent year of juvenile King George whiting settlement in the bay, which should make for terrific fishing from 2019 to 2021 when they grow to a catchable size.”