Feedback sought on mulloway improvement program

RECREATIONAL anglers are invited to weigh in on a set of proposed changes aimed at further improving the quality of Victoria’s unique mulloway fishery.

Victorian Fisheries Authority chief executive Travis Dowling said feedback is being sought on a package proposal developed in partnership with recreational fishers to change regulations, invest in science and research and trial stocking of mulloway in Victoria.

“Recreational anglers are telling us that the current limit of five mulloway per person per day is too high and that two mulloway is a more reasonable day’s take if we want to maintain healthy fisheries,” Dowling said.

“The latest science also tells us that mulloway may be susceptible to local depletion, therefore increasing the minimum size limit from 60 to 70cm will give the species around 10 months further protection in estuaries and align the limit with New South Wales.

“We’ve listened to angler feedback over the past few years, considered the best available science and are now seeking to consult more broadly about the bag and size limit changes, as well as restarting angler tagging of the species, supporting acoustic tracking and trialing the stocking of mulloway in key estuaries.”

Mulloway is considered a premier recreational species by fishers right along Victoria’s coast, from estuaries in Mallacoota in the east to the Glenelg River in the west, and Port Phillip and Western Port systems such as the Yarra and Maribyrnong rivers.

Found right along Australia’s eastern seaboard from Queensland, south to Victoria and across to South Australia, the bulk of the nation’s mulloway stocks are found in NSW and South Australian coastal waters.

Mulloways are highly regarded as a sportfish, reaching 150cm and 30kg or more, and revered for both catch and release and on the dinner table for their delicate buttery flesh.

The proposed mulloway improvement program is a package of short, medium and long-term actions to improve mulloway numbers and allow more anglers to experience this highly prized recreational fish.

For more information visit vfa.vic.gov.au/mulloway

Recreational anglers are encouraged to provide their feedback to [email protected] by 15 August.

If you see or suspect any illegal fishing in Victoria, call the 24/7 reporting service, 13FISH (133474), to speak directly to a fisheries officer. You can remain anonymous.

FISHING REPORTS

Anglesea

* Some pinkies being caught

* A couple of school sharks have also been caught

Reports courtesy of the Rusty Anglers Angling Club Anglesea

Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove

* Reports of silver trevally

Torquay

* Some reports of pinkies and flathead

Reports courtesy of the Torquay Angling Club

St Leonards and Indented Head

* Reports of whiting in good numbers