By AIDAN KNIGHT
NATIONALS Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath, is calling out the state government for its gutting of the Victoria Fishing Authority.
Ms Bath’s criticism of the cuts made to fishery officer positions, resources, and the powers bestowed upon them, accuses the state government of opening up waterways to criminal activity to an extent they have not been exposed to before, and is a governing oversight.
These cuts were announced on May 20 this year and were a part of the state government’s 20 per cent reduction of nature protection as a whole, which also affected Parks Victoria, as previously reported in the Express and Gippsland Farmer.
“Westernport, Gippsland Lakes and Port Welshpool communities rely heavily on commercial and recreational anglers to support their livelihoods,” Ms Bath said.
The Victorian Fisheries Authority’s latest annual report shows recreational angler license and catch-limit checks fell by 35 per cent in 2024-25, dropping from 43,877 inspections the previous year to 28,395. Offences detected fell by 36 per cent.
The Opposition argues that this decline reflects not better behaviour, but a diminished enforcement capacity. These new figures show enforcement is at its lowest in years.
In its defence, the VFA told the Express: “Most people in the fishing community are doing the right thing – there is 90 per cent compliance with our fishing rules and regulations. The Victorian Fisheries Authority’s workforce changes enable us to continue to protect our fisheries while focusing more on major fisheries crime and engaging with the recreational fishing community in a way that positions them for long-term success.”
Further, the VFA said it has launched a Major Fisheries Crime Unit specifically to target organised illegal fishing – the very behaviour Ms Bath fears will rise with reduced frontline presence.
The unit has been given extra resources “so they can focus on those deliberately doing the wrong thing.” These reforms came after consultation, and the VFA says that despite the wider cuts, fisheries officers remain authorised officers; they still carry badges, issue fines, and can carry out inspections.
For regional communities across Gippsland, the issue is more than environmental; it’s economic and social. If enforcement weakens, locals say, the risk to fisheries grows, and so does the threat to the livelihoods of those who depend on them.
The Express asked Victorian Minister for the Environment Steve Dimopoulos for comment, but did not receive a response before going to print.
