Annihilation of environmental protection in Victoria

The Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Fisheries Authority has proposed a major change that will significantly affect the protection of our aquatic environments, natural values (being able to access the aquatic environments) and our fisheries (the proposal will result in the decimation of our aquatic environments). Fisheries Officers (FOs) in Victoria ensure this protection for all Victorians.

FOs provide vital services to Victoria, ensuring that fishing is sustainable, that cetaceans are protected and when entangled are addressed quickly and safely. They enhance the environment by ensuring other agencies, water corporations, councils and the community are aware of issues that arise. Our FOs are on the ground keeping an eye on and reporting concerns that need to be addressed quickly.

CPSU calls on the Victorian Government to put a stop to this restructure in light of the impacts on Victoria, the VFA workforce and the inducement it will offer to organised crime in our waterways.

The change proposes the following:

• There will be no more Fisheries Officer positions in the State of Victoria

• The current 73 Fisheries Officer positions throughout the state will be replaced with 36 Fisheries Engagement Officer positions, a 50% reduction, predominately focused on community engagement.

• 5 Fisheries Stations will be closed around Port Phillip and Western Port Bay to be replaced by 3 new “Community Hubs”, providing education only

• Only 9 Engagement Officers will service this area, a reduction of 66% in critical staff

• Several Inland Fisheries Stations will be staffed by a single person, with several other regional stations being proposed as two person stations, this impacts worker safety and enforcement abilities.

This proposal raises huge safety concerns for our members who will be forced to work 1up in situations that can become unsafe very quickly. We are very concerned for the worker safety in this proposed environment. We believe that the impacts of the proposal will have a significant impact on the sustainability of the fisheries environment.

The rationale for this proposal relies on the following flawed arguments:

• State Government budget constraints, which do not relate to the removal of the Fisheries Officer compliance role. Fisheries Officers already operating at 30% vacancy rate which is already below the 10% cut. 
• A reduced enforcement presence due to a fictitious view that compliance rates are high and needs no maintenance going forward. Statistics show that there is 16% non-compliance in recreational abalone, 58% non-compliance in intertidal abalone – (taken in waters less than 2 meters deep). 27% non-compliance in other intertidal offences. (molluscs etc) 56% noncompliance in marine national park offending. 20% non-compliance in marine safety (boats and lifejackets) There has been a 50% decrease in boating related deaths since fisheries officers have been enforcing the rules around boat safety.

• Proposal relies on a 3 to 4 person “Major Crime Unit” which already exists. That unit relies heavily on Fisheries Officers to identify, inform and lead investigations into fisheries crime. By gutting FOs on the job this work won’t be able to be done effectively by the VFA creating a risk to meeting our obligations under the Act.

The proposed change has outraged stakeholder groups who know the value of Fisheries Officers protecting our environment.

There are significant risks associated with the proposed change including:

• An increase in non-compliance leading to the destruction of our aquatic environments
• No protection for our Marine National Parks & Sanctuaries

• Obliteration of a proud branch that has serviced the Victorian community for generations 

CPSU has a meeting scheduled with the Minister to discuss ongoing vacancies in the VFA, we are looking forward to discussing our concerns about vacancies and the impacts on Victoria.

What can you do?

Make contact with your local member of parliament, Minister for Rec & Outdoor or the Premier to make your voice heard.

Wayne Townsend
Acting Branch Secretary