Launching a boat and cleaning your catch in regional Victoria has got even easier for recreational fishers over the last four years thanks to a suite of improved facilities at our lakes, rivers, estuaries and bays.
Victorian Fisheries Authority CEO Travis Dowling said recreational fishing licence fees and the State Government's Target One Million plan to get more people fishing, more often, had invested nearly $1.4 million into 27 projects since 2015.
"We know fishers appreciate boat launching facilities in good order and cleaning tables that make it easy to take home fresh fish for the family dinner table," Mr Dowling said.
"That's why we funded the extension of boat ramps and the construction of new ones at Tullaroop Reservoir, Taylors Lake near Horsham, Swan Hill, Corringle, Corinella, Toolondo, Hazelwood Pondage, Pental Island, Yarrawonga and Majors Lane on the Victorian side of Lake Mulwala, Lake Eildon, Surry River and Venus Bay.
"Several of these locations have also welcomed floating pontoons and jetty repairs to optimise use and speed up launching and safe boarding of boats.
"New fish cleaning tables have been built at Warrnambool, Point Richards and Indented Head in Corio Bay, and Crouch's Inlet at Warneet, whilst at Lake Eildon, solar lights have been installed at several ramps to improve visibility when launching in low light."
Mr Dowling said the collaborative approach with regional councils had assisted in the construction and maintenance of boat ramps, and boaters could look forward to more good news as the newly created Better Boating Victoria (BBV) took charge of improving facilities including parking.
"The creation of BBV earlier this year delivered on a commitment of Target One Million phase 2.
"BBV is leading the charge of simplifying the management of boating infrastructure under one umbrella organisation, improving boating facilities across the board and making launching and parking free of charge soon.
"Recreational fishing is in great shape in Victoria thanks to unprecedented investment over many recent years. We are the envy of many fishers interstate with booming inland fisheries for trout and native fish, and thriving marine fisheries for tuna, kingfish, snapper, King George whiting and calamari.
"It's a good time to be a fisher in Victoria and we aim to keep it that way."
