Fisheries Officers can now cover more of Melbourne’s South East thanks to a new VFA fisheries station opening at Braeside.
Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne said the Victorian Government had invested $240,000 to refurbish office space at the site and buy new equipment, which will enable officers to monitor fishing activities in the area to ensure people are doing the right thing.
The station will allow officers to patrol a wide range of waters from Port Phillip Bay to fisheries further inland such as the Yarra River. The new Braeside station will also provide quicker responses to reports of illegal fishing in the eastern region.
The station has been equipped with vital patrol equipment such as an 8.5-metre ridged hull inflatable boat and two new patrol-ready jet skis.
Four fisheries officers from existing stations have been redeployed to work at the new location.
It becomes the fourth station located around Port Phillip Bay, along with Altona, Mornington and Queenscliff – providing extensive coverage of Victoria’s most popular fishery.
The Braeside station is one of a number of large-scale projects which are currently being undertaken by the Victorian Fisheries Authority.
A new $7 million native fish hatchery will be built on the banks of the Goulburn River at Arcadia and a $1 million revitalisation of the Snobs Creek Fish Hatchery is underway.
As stated by Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne
“This new station means fisheries officers can patrol our metropolitan areas more often, making fishing safer and more enjoyable for everyone.”
“We’re providing this station with brand new equipment to ensure these officers can easily and efficiently monitor the region.”
As stated by Member for Keysborough Martin Pakula
“This is an investment in the future of local fishing, ensuring people are doing the right thing so that fishers can enjoy these waters for years to come.”
“Some of Victoria’s best fishing is right here on our doorstep and we are protecting the local environment by having these officers on patrol.”
