2. Equitable 1. Maintain, and possible 1(i) Ensure fishery’s information and interests are 1(i)(a) Commercial eel fishing is considered as resource access improve, access to the fishery for considered in the decision making processes, part of recreational fish stocking decisions. and use recreational, commercial and including those of other agencies. indigenous interests, taking 1(i)(b) Commercial eel fishing is advocated for existing regulations and legislation and recognised in the forward planning of relating to access in inland and applicable land and managers. coastal waters into account 1(ii) Work with stakeholders and agencies to 1(ii)(a) Meetings to discuss access to game discuss access on game reserves. reserves have been held and a decision conveyed to industry. 1(ii)(b) Fisheries Victoria advocates for commercial eel fishing which is recognised in the forward planning of game reserves. 1(iii) Work with industry to identify and facilitate 1(iii) Meetings with industry to scope potential access to new waters. new waters, including floodplains, have been held by July 2018. 1(iv) Work with the Department of Justice and 1(iv) Engage with Victorian aboriginal groups to Aboriginal people to ensure that Aboriginal identify opportunities to harvest eels and support Victorians have ready access to eel resources for initiatives in this area. personal and communal purposes and for specified commercial purposes. 2. Promote and efficient and 2(i) Develop, in consultation with industry, 2(i) Transparent and fair criteria drafted under effective eel culture sector transparent and fair criteria by which permit this plan (Appendix 2) to assess permit applications are assessed. applications. 2 (ii) In consultation with the appropriate 2(ii) A Victorian Eel Fishery Exceptional agencies and industry, develop a Victorian Eel Circumstances Policy is drafted by December Fishery Exceptional Circumstances Strategy. 2018. 3. Cost effective 1. Enable participation by fishers 1(i) Encourage Aboriginal Victorians to play a role 1(i) Fisheries Victoria will work collaboratively and participatory and other relevant stakeholders in in the management of eels in Victoria. with Aboriginal organisations, groups and management fisheries management, taking individuals over time to and foster account of the respective relationships and beneficial partnerships that responsibilities of government and support Aboriginal participation and leadership in fishers eel management.
2. Equitable resource access and use 1. Maintain, and possible improve, access to the fishery for recreational, commercial and indigenous interests, taking existing regulations and legislation relating to access in inland and coastal waters into account 1(i) Ensure fishery’s information and interests are considered in the decision making processes, including those of other agencies. 1(i)(a) Commercial eel fishing is considered as part of recreational fish stocking decisions. 1(i)(b) Commercial eel fishing is advocated for and recognised in the forward planning of applicable land and managers. 1(ii) Work with stakeholders and agencies to discuss access on game reserves. 1(ii)(a) Meetings to discuss access to game reserves have been held and a decision conveyed to industry. 1(ii)(b) Fisheries Victoria advocates for commercial eel fishing which is recognised in the forward planning of game reserves. 1(iii) Work with industry to identify and facilitate access to new waters. 1(iii) Meetings with industry to scope potential new waters, including floodplains, have been held by July 2018. 1(iv) Work with the Department of Justice and Aboriginal people to ensure that Aboriginal Victorians have ready access to eel resources for personal and communal purposes and for specified commercial purposes. 1(iv) Engage with Victorian aboriginal groups to identify opportunities to harvest eels and support initiatives in this area. 2. Promote and efficient and effective eel culture sector 2(i) Develop, in consultation with industry, transparent and fair criteria by which permit applications are assessed. 2(i) Transparent and fair criteria drafted under this plan (Appendix 2) to assess permit applications. 2 (ii) In consultation with the appropriate agencies and industry, develop a Victorian Eel Fishery Exceptional Circumstances Strategy. 2(ii) A Victorian Eel Fishery Exceptional Circumstances Policy is drafted by December 2018. 3. Cost effective and participatory management 1. Enable participation by fishers and other relevant stakeholders in fisheries management, taking account of the respective responsibilities of government and fishers 1(i) Encourage Aboriginal Victorians to play a role in the management of eels in Victoria. 1(i) Fisheries Victoria will work collaboratively with Aboriginal organisations, groups and individuals over time to and foster relationships and beneficial partnerships that support Aboriginal participation and leadership in eel management.
DRAFT_Eel-Fishery-Management-Plan.docx