My Big Catch: Status quo win for Victorian fishers

VRFISH has announced a massive win for Victorian fishers who enjoy our fantastic southern bluefin tuna (SBT) fishery.
The federal government’s Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries Jonathon Duniam has confirmed there will be no changes to Victoria’s SBT recreational bag or size limits following the preliminary results of the 2019 National SBT recreational catch survey.
VRFish strongly advocated for and represented Victorian fishers to negate any threat of bag or size limit changes for SBT. The result is great news for fishers as we can continue to enjoy our superb SBT fishery exactly as it is now.
The 2019 National SBT recreational catch survey was conducted by world leading experts from the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Aquatic Studies and was found to be comprehensive and scientifically robust.
The survey demonstrates that the SBT recreational fishery in Victoria has evolved into a more mature and sophisticated fishery. As SBT are virtually catchable year-round, we have observed a shift in fishers’ behaviour from retained catch towards quality recreational fishing experiences, including targeting larger fish, higher release rates and better-quality table eating fish.
Our SBT fishery is in a great space as fishers are embracing the best practice principles of the Tuna Champions program.
The small changes that fishers make while fishing for SBT make a big difference.
VRFish have been able to develop effective working relationships with the Commonwealth, fishery managers and researchers and appreciate the outstanding support of our national peak body, the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation.
It has been outstanding to have to support of the Victorian Government and Minister for Fishing and Boating, Jaala Pulford in the ongoing promotion of our world-class fishery. The status quo for tuna bag and size limits enable the Victorian Government to tick off another election commitment of the Target One Million Phase 2 program.
It is no surprise that Portland remains the SBT fishing capital of Victoria. Recreational fishing for SBT is estimated to contribute as much as $9 million to Portland’s economy alone and delivers enormous economic benefit to regional south-
west towns.

FISHING REPORTS

Anglesea
Weather conditions having an impact on catches at Anglesea
A few whiting are still around
A few pinkies and snapper are being caught
Still some good schools of salmon around.
Thanks to the Rusty Anglers Angling Club Anglesea

Barwon Heads
Reports out of Ocean Grove are pretty much the same
Some reports of snapper
A few flathead are still around
The river is seeing reports of some mullet and trevally
Salmon catches off local beaches continue
A few squid are still being caught
Mackerel have also been reported offshore.
Reports compliments of the Ocean Grove Angling Club

Lorne
The weather hasn’t been as kind as it normally is for this time of year but still a couple of calm windows in between the windy days
Snapper are still on the chew with some good sized ones among them
King George whiting are continuing their late run with plenty being caught
The good old reliable flathead are still biting well
Gummy and school shark are still about with a few sevengill sharks also reported
There’s been a couple of sightings of bluefin tuna busting up but none caught recently
Plenty of salmon, mackerel and yakkas still about
Big nannygai, swallowtail and sweep are being caught as a welcome bi-catch while chasing snapper
The pier has been going great guns since the ban was lifted with good numbers of calamari, salmon, trevally, King George whiting, mullet and snapper.
Reports compliments of the Lorne Angling and Aquatic Club

Torquay
Reports of whiting continue
A few pinkies are still being reported
A few flathead reports have also been received
Snapper reports are still few and far between
Salmon are still being caught off local beaches
Spring Creek continues to report some small bream.
Reports compliments of the Torquay Angling Club

Queenscliff
St Leonards is still reporting King George whiting, flathead, squid, as well as a few snapper
Clifton Springs is seeing reports of snapper, whiting, calamari, gummy shark and flathead
Queenscliff reports whiting, trevally, flathead, as well as Squid
The Creek is still seeing reports of some trevally as well as salmon
Swan Bay is reporting catches of calamari, whiting as well as some flathead at the mouth of the bay
Point Lonsdale reports salmon, trevally, whiting and a few snapper
The White Lady is seeing whiting, calamari, and snapper reports continuing
Indented Head has flathead, King George whiting and snapper as well as a few calamari are still being reported.

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 Club Corner
The Lorne Aquatic & Angling Club is starting their fishing competitions under the isolation rules.
Their next one is a major fishing competition sponsored by Dawson Concreting on Sunday, June 7. The weigh in will start at noon with the cut off for registering your catch at 12.30pm.
The club will remain closed and only one person at a time can enter the fish cleaning area to weigh their catch. The results will be emailed to all competitors that afternoon.
All welcome. Come and have a go!

If you are an angling club and you wish to let people know what’s going on within your club as well as help promote your club, just email [email protected] and we will post your club news here.