Wednesday, 14 May 2025

Victorian Fisheries Authority

Trung LUU (Western Metropolitan) (18:00): (1615) Reflecting the theme of parks and outdoor recreation, my adjournment matter is for the Minister for Outdoor Recreation, and it is concerning the proposed cuts to the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s fisheries officers. The action I seek is for the minister to review those proposed cuts to the fisheries officer positions and to reinstate the funding necessary for the robust regulation of the fisheries industry.

I have received correspondence from concerned constituents regarding these cuts. The result of these cuts would be a reduction in the number of fisheries officers from 27 to just nine across Port Phillip Bay and Western Port. Additionally, four bayside stations would be closed, including one in my electorate, in Altona North. Just imagine nine officers covering Port Phillip Bay and Western Port, with extended shifts and having to work one up. Currently fisheries officers are already facing a vacancy rate of 30 per cent, but with this proposed cut many of these vacancies will remain unfilled.

Relying on citizens to report fisheries infringements to an already understaffed police force is simply an unsustainable solution and not feasible. These cuts come at a time when illegal fishing activity is on the rise. In recent months the Victorian Fisheries Authority has reported the apprehension of a crew of four men involved in an illegal fishing haul to the value of $17,000 on the black market. With illegal fishing increasing, we need more fisheries officers and stronger regulation to effectively combat these issues. Instead the Allan Labor government are cutting these essential services to cover their mismanagement of the state’s debts.

You cannot enforce regulation and ensure that compliance is met if you do not have people such as fisheries officers on the ground. Police resources are already on the blink. Victoria is in the middle of a crime crisis, with increasing crime and youth offenders capturing every nightly news report. Police do not have the resources to take over fisheries jobs with additional surveillance, shoreline patrol and enforcing regulations on illegal fishing activities. Victorians want to enjoy recreational fishing, and these cuts do not support the fisheries industry or our outdoor recreation. Therefore I urge the minister to commit to revising these proposed cuts to fisheries officer positions and allocate funding to ensure strong regulation of the fisheries industry. This is essential not only to preserve our natural environment but also to maintain Australia’s status as a leader in the fisheries industry.