Fisheries Victoria seeks comments on proposed Fishery for scallops

by DPI Fisheries on 18 Apr 2013 Fisheries Victoria is seeking written comments on a proposal to establish a new 'niche' commercial dive fishery for scallops in Port Phillip Bay. This small, high value fishery gathering scallops by hand would provide benefits to Victoria, including new business and employment opportunities and fresh, locally caught seafood.

The proposed management arrangements describe how access to the fishery will be allocated, how the fishery will be managed and the arrangements to ensure that recreational fishing will be maintained and protected.

Read the full copy of the proposed management arrangements here.

For further information please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions.

You can submit written comments via an online form, by emailing kylie.wohlt(@)dpi.vic.gov.au or by post to:

Commercial Scallop Dive Fishery Proposal
Fisheries Victoria
GPO Box 4440
Melbourne VIC 3001

The submission period closes on Monday 17 June 2013. Please note that any submissions received in relation to the consultation being conducted by Fisheries Victoria will be published on the Department’s public website. In making a submission, unless the person making the submission provides reasons their views must remain private, they will be consenting to their submission, including their name only, being published on the Department’s website for 90 days from the conclusion of the consultative process.

What happens next?

The final arrangements to establish the new commercial dive fishery for scallops will be determined by the Victorian Government, after considering the written submissions and any other information relevant to the operation of the fishery.

If you are interested in gaining commercial access to the fishery and would like to be kept informed, please register your interest online.

More information about the timetable is shown below.

Stage 1 - Initial Opening
2013
April	Public release of the Proposal to Establish a Commercial Dive Fishery for Scallops in Port Phillip Bay		Businesses register their interest with DPI to receive information
May
June	Public comment period closes 17 June 2013
	Consideration of public submissions
July	Public release of the baseline management standards for the Commercial Dive Fishery for scallops (Port Phillip Bay)	Notification of upcoming public auction	Interested businesses register to participate in the auction
August
Sept
	Public auction of access entitlement
	Entitlement holder seeks all relevant approvals (e.g. food safety)
	Fishing may commence

DPI Fisheries website