Victoria welcomes Federal move on Mako shark fishing

by Department of Primary Industries VIC on 22 Jun 2010
Fisheries Victoria has welcomed a Federal Government action to allow recreational game fishers to catch mako sharks.

An amended Bill, passed in Canberra late yesterday, allows recreational fishers to resume fishing for shortfin and longfin mako sharks.

The Federal Government says the original international decision to list mako sharks was based around concerns for the Mediterranean stocks.

The Executive Director of Fisheries Victoria, Anthony Hurst said while he recognised the importance of ensuring that any recreational or commercial fishing for sharks is sustainable, an equivalent situation does not exist for Australian stocks.

'This is good news for Victorian recreational fishers,' Mr Hurst said.

Mako sharks are an important gamefishing species in Victoria's marine waters so this decision is significant,' Mr Hurst said.

'The Victorian bag limit of one shark per day can include one mako shark.

'In late May, we hosted a national forum in Melbourne on the recreational mako shark fishery, involving recreational fishing representatives and fisheries managers from nearly all states, along with representatives from Commonwealth fisheries and environment agencies.

'One significant outcome was the decision to work towards improving the collection of data about recreational fishing and mako sharks across State and Commonwealth borders.

The other main outcomes from the forum were to:

Work together towards a national, integrated and risk based approach for managing fishing for mako sharks.
Ensure shark stock assessment programs are cost effective and involve recreational fishers.
Improve our understanding of fishery impacts, including post release survival.
Facilitate transparent education programs to promote public awareness, and
Improve processes for consulting recreational fishers in the future.

'Game fishing is important to many anglers and recreational fishing creates jobs in regional ports such as Portland, Queenscliff and Lakes Entrance,' Mr Hurst said.

'Fisheries Victoria was quick to act when the initial ban on all mako fishing was introduced and today’s outcome is great news for all Victorian recreational fishers.

'I commend the efforts of many Victorian recreational fishers and my Commonwealth and interstate colleagues who worked constructively to achieve a practical outcome.'