3.2 Fishing and aquaculture Context Fisherman – Sorrento I. Walton Victoria's commercial and recreational fisheries are diverse and geographically extensive. Our oceans, bays, wetlands and estuaries support some of the world's finest seafood, from abalone and mussels to rock lobster and snapper. Victoria exports abalone, rock lobster, eel, giant crab, scallop, urchin and jellyfish. Abalone and rock lobster fisheries are Victoria's most valuable commercial fisheries. The significance of the recreational fishing industry is demonstrated by the involvement of more than 550,000 Victorians. The recreational catch of whiting and snapper is estimated to be considerably higher than the commercial take of these species. Fisheries Victoria is a division of the Department of Primary Industries. Fisheries Victoria manages the fisheries resource by developing and implementing policies, projects and services. History shows that without effective management and control fisheries can become over-fished, leading to significant ecological impacts, declining catches, the collapse of fishing industries and economic hardship for the communities they support. Fisheries are vulnerable to the environmental impacts of pollution, drought, fire, disease, and competition from introduced or noxious species. Some fish stocks are also subject to natural variability for reasons that are not clearly understood. Both commercial and recreational fishing in Victoria is closely monitored and subject to a suite of management controls in accordance with ecological sustainability principles. As wild fishery stocks approach the limits of sustainable seafood supply, the aquaculture industry is playing an increasingly important role in meeting local and global demand for seafood products. However, aquaculture farms have the potential to pose significant challenges to the Victorian fishing industry and marine environments in general. The issue of water exchange and disease transfer between aquaculture farms and the marine environment is a significant current issue, particularly with the spread of the ganglioneuritis virus affecting abalone. We need to ensure a better understanding of aquaculture impacts on the environment, use low environmental impact production systems and demonstrate best practice aquaculture and environmental management. The impacts of climate change, effluent and disease incursions, energy costs, global competition and new developments in science and technology require the establishment of clear direction for the maintenance of effective management of Victoria's fisheries. Policy 1. Manage Victoria's fisheries, and the ecosystems on which they depend, within an ecologically sustainable framework to ensure maintenance and improvement to current and future fish stocks. 2. Promote an ecologically sustainable and viable aquaculture industry. 3. Address recreational fishing impacts through education, enforcement and suitable facilities. 4. Encourage shared ownership of fisheries management through partnership arrangements. Actions a Support the development of a climate change strategy which aims to facilitate adaptation to the risks and impacts of climate change in both the commercial and recreational fishing sectors (DPI). b Improve the capacity to monitor and assess levels of recreational fishing to ensure sustainable use (DPI). c Improve understanding of habitat and environment requirements for key fisheries resources (DPI, DSE).

10 December 2008