PARK WATCH Article June 2025 |
The State Government’s attack on Fisheries Officers will seriously affect enforcement, says Karen Batt, CPSU Branch Secretary
Opposition the State Government’s fishing cuts has united VNPA with the Victorian Recreational Fishing Peak Body (VRFish), Seafood Industry Victoria, Abalone Council Victoria and the CPSU. We all share the view that slashing frontline fisheries officers is a big mistake that poses significant threats to marine health, sustainable fish stocks and public safety on Victorian waters.
In February, the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) announced a proposal to slash the number of Victoria’s frontline Fisheries Officers by over half.
The proposed restructure involves replacing 73 Fisheries Officers, who work on the frontline to enforce and protect our marine and river environments and fisheries, with 36 ‘Engagement Officers’. This would change their focus from compliance to education, leading to less enforcement.
When Fisheries Officers are cut, illegal activities go unchecked, leaving marine habitats and fisheries subject to damaging activities they may not recover from.
You don’t get a second chance at saving them. Once they’re gone, they’re gone – forever.
In response to the proposals, the Fisheries Officer Association (a sub-branch of the CPSU), unanimously passed a vote of no confidence in the VFA CEO. This vote was not taken lightly. These important reasons were cited:
- The perceived deterioration of staff safety, wellbeing and culture.
- The proposed reduction in Fisheries Officers despite increases in non-compliance.
- VFA’s inability to meet objectives of relevant legislation, especially concerning sustainability.
- VFA’s inability to adequately address the current stock levels of Victorian fisheries.
- VFA’s lack of thorough and considered planning.
- The decline in support of VFA’s management of Victorian fisheries, as indicated by the recent VRFish survey.
- The lack of support for Fisheries Officers and the failure to meaningfully consult with them.
FOA requested a meeting with the VFA Board in the hope of discussing these issues and the upcoming expiring tenure of the CEO. However, the board has been evasive and are yet to facilitate any such meeting.
Given the urgent nature of the matters to be discussed, we are genuinely troubled and are losing confidence in the VFA leadership. Furthermore, we have made endless unsuccessful attempts to facilitate a meeting with Minister Dimopoulos following his unexplained last-minute cancellation of three pre-planned meetings.
We are left further troubled by this disingenuous approach and consequent lack of consultation.
Victoria’s Fisheries Officers are frontline workers who deserve respect for the critical work they do protecting these environments for everyone.
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