Victoria's busiest marine waterways are left at risk to poaching and illegal fishing as the state government presses ahead with short-sighted cuts.
A plan to eliminate more than half of all frontline fisheries compliance officers in Port Phillip Bay and Western Port is being met with fierce resistance from nature conservationists, fishing groups, and concerned Victorians.
"This is environmental neglect disguised as budget management," declared Shannon Hurley, Nature Conservation Campaigner for the Victorian National Parks Association.
The Allan government has confirmed that marine protection is not a priority by implementing cuts that will create massive enforcement gaps across important marine parks and fishing zones, placing ecosystems and sustainable fishing interests at risk. "While the government partially backed down on their original proposal, going ahead with axing more than 50% of fisheries officers in central Victoria's coastline will leave marine wildlife and fishing communities exposed" says Hurley. "They're effectively declaring open season for illegal fishing in previously patrolled waters".
Victoria's marine protected areas provide important habitat for an array of species, including threatened wildlife. Our bays and inlets are important to a $2.4 billion recreational fishing industry and support several well managed commercial fisheries that offer the wider community access to local sustainable seafood. If cuts go ahead, long standing marine conservation areas and important fishing grounds are at risk of being over-exploited by wrong doers determined to take advantage of the government's reduced oversight.
A statement released by Seafood Industry Victoria says: "these [fisheries officer] roles are critical to prevent illegal fishing and support responsible fishing practices in some of our busiest waterways. Rules and regulations designed to keep fish stocks sustainable and seafood supply chains secure are only effective if adequately enforced".
Conservationists are demanding a reversal of all proposed cuts to frontline capacity, and for the Victorian Labor Government to honour commitments to marine conservation and sustainable fishing.
"Marine national parks and sustainable fishing aren't luxuries – they're essential for Victoria's future," Hurley emphasised. "Half-measures won't protect half our coastline, Victoria's marine and fishing communities deserve nothing less than full protection."
