Mr Gerard O'Neill, Deputy Chief Executive, Parks Victoria said, “Recreational fishing is an activity with one of the highest levels of community participation in the state and Parks Victoria is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that their needs are understood and the best possible outcome is achieved in the development of park planning.

Mr O'Neill said that while there was often a focus on planning processes regarding access issues, Parks Victoria actively supports recreational fishing opportunities.

"For example the Victorian Government has invested in creating better facilities around Port Phillip Bay and Westernport to improve access to the water for recreational fishers, including $5.5m of upgrades to improve Patterson River Boat Launching Ramp and San Remo Jetty”.

Parks Victoria has issued a communiqué which encourages and actively supports Victorians and visitors to “Go Fishing” in Victoria. Parks Victoria will consult with recreational and commercial fishers during the development of all management plans for parks where fishing is a current or likely activity.

Parks Victoria will endeavour to maintain existing previous levels of access for recreational fishing. If ecological, cultural or recreational values and objectives are in conflict with recreational fishing then appropriate assessment and consultation with recreational fishing organisations will occur prior to any significant changes to fishing access being made.

“We want to optimise the range and extent of sustainable fishing opportunities in Victoria's parks' estate and provide a wide variety of fishing opportunities whilst minimising the impact on the environmental values of our public land,” said Mr O'Neill.

Geoff Cramer, Chairman, VRFish is pleased with Parks Victoria's communiqué. “Recreational fishing is an activity with one of the highest levels of community participation in the state and is an important component of our rich cultural fabric. It brings together more than 720,000 Victorians each year which contributes towards our physical and mental health,” said Mr Cramer.

“We are pleased to be working closely with Parks Victoria to represent recreational fisher's needs and to continue to work across Government in ensuring that recreational fishing opportunities are well represented,” said Mr Cramer.

Fisheries Victoria and the Department of Sustainability and Environment are supportive of the adoption of the communiqué and in working closely with the fishing community. Parks Victoria has consulted with other fishing bodies including the Australian Trout Foundation, Future Fish and Native Fish Australia.

Recreational Fishing and Park Management Communiqué October 2009