Wednesday, 19 February 2025

 Chris CREWTHER (Mornington) (14:49): (994) My question is for the Minister for Environment. What is the minister doing to protect anglers, fishing businesses and the environment in Mornington? It has been reported that five fisheries enforcement stations around Port Phillip and Western Port, including Mornington, are closing in a bid to meet this broke government’s funding cuts. There has also been a 66 per cent staff reduction in Port Phillip and Western Port. Many locals, like Neil, Ben and Lilly, are concerned this will mean a rise in maritime crime, impact law-abiding anglers, commercial fisheries and the environment and put lives at risk. Without strong enforcement, illegal operators profit while honest anglers and others struggle with dwindling stocks and rising costs. We have many great local fishing businesses, like Mornington Boat Hire, Bay Fish N Trips, Cripps Family Fish Farm, I’m Hooked Fishing Charters, Pro Red Fishing Charters, Tackle World Mornington and Sport Phillip Marine, all of which are crucial to our local economy. With our precious peninsula marine ecosystem, we cannot afford to weaken fisheries enforcement.