By Bruce Wardley
VENUS Bay anglers have been warned cutbacks to the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) could result in the increased use of drones and remote cameras to crack down on illegal fishing.
Undersized fish left on the deck or multiple fishing trips on the same day to avoid catch limits could be detected and prosecuted using evidence from drones flying overhead and powerful land-based cameras.
Speaking to members of the Venus Bay Angling Club, Director of Better Boating Victoria, a division of the VFA, Chris Padovani revealed fisheries compliance and investigation officers are highly skilled in conducting surveillance and detecting offences.
“I like fishing and boating,” said Mr Padovani.
Better Boating Victoria makes boating safer explained Mr Padovani by taking responsibility for the planning, consultation and approval of major upgrades and essential maintenance to public boat ramps funded by marine licence fees.
“It’s a long process to go through and final designs are restricted by budget.”
The VFA’s Education and Enforcement Branch and Safe Transport Victoria also check for essential boat safety equipment such as life jackets, first aid kit, fire extinguishers, flares, anchor and bilge pump.
Up to six major ramp upgrades are funded each year and over the past twelve months major improvement works have been completed at Mahers Landing and Inverloch with works to commence soon at the Lang Lang boat ramp.
The VFA is now using targeted covert surveillance, camouflage, night vision cameras and drones to monitor illegal fishing activities.
Eye in the sky drones with satellite links could relay crucial evidence to ground crews according to fisheries compliance officers.
The VFA and other Government agencies use concealed camera technology on public land and in marine protected areas to gather evidence of habitat destruction, illegal fishing and hunting, wildlife poaching, and rubbish dumping.
Future upgrades to boating facilities by Better Boating Victoria do not include Venus Bay which according to local anglers desperately needs dredging because of the shallow water.
“We only have a metre of water at high tide,” said Angling Club President Tony Swinden.
Work is about to finish on a ramp upgrade at French Island with works planned for Tooradin in the second half of 2025.
Jetty and boat ramp upgrades at Grantville and Newhaven are in the pipeline but with no starting date confirmed as yet.
Floating pontoons funded by Better Boating Victoria have also been installed at Rhyll.
Smaller grants are available from the Recreational Fishing Grants Program for fish cleaning tables and solar lighting at popular fishing locations.
Responding to critics of the new Mahers Landing jetty Mr Padovani said funding a floating jetty that met all abilities access requirements would have cost an extra $2 million given the tidal movements.
“We have retained the old boat ramp for the launching of kayaks and windsurfers,” said Mr Padovani.
“All-tide access at Mahers Landing is proving very popular with boaters.”
Mr Padovani reminded anglers that boat launching facilities are funded by boat licence fees and Western Port and Port Phillip Bay attracted more funding because of the greater number of boats registered in the area.
Old boat ramps can be dangerously slippery complained one boat user at Venus Bay.
Mr Padovani said safety comes first and mesh grates have been installed at the bottom of the boat ramps at Inverloch and Mahers Landing.
“Boat users have the right of way,” said Mr Padovani.
Responding to several complaints that it can be difficult to launch alone at Mahers Landing Mr Padovani said Inverloch, Tooradin and Venus Bay are always an alternative.
“Venus Bay needs a walkway between the boat ramp and the land-based fishing floating pontoon,” suggested one boater.
“My advice would be to encourage South Gippsland Shire, the manager of the boat ramp to apply for a grant,” was Mr Padovani’s response.
“Channel markers are in the wrong place,” said another.
“Gippsland Ports is the waterway manager and are responsible for channel markers,” said Mr Padovani.
Keen to encourage more women into recreational boating and fishing, Better Boating Victoria praised the VFA’s Women in Recreational Fishing and Boating Network.
Responding to concerns about budget cuts to the VFA Mr Padovani said restructuring forced by government-imposed savings was nothing new and occurs under both sides of politics.
Facing the potential loss of 35 positions in fisheries, administration, I.T. and licensing the Cowes office of the VFA is proposed to be closed with a new office opening in Tooradin.
“Around 12 years ago the then Fisheries Victoria underwent a restructure which focused on a reduction of technical and scientific staff,” said Mr Padovani.
The general feedback from compliance according to Mr Padovani was that most people are doing the right thing however there was always an element of people doing the wrong thing.
For more information on Better Boating Victoria go to betterboating.vic.gov.au.
The Venus Bay Angling Club can be found on Facebook or go to venusbayanglingclub.org.au.
