DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES Management Plan Tyers Fisheries Reserve Fisheries Management Report Series - No. 43 Fisheries Victoria Management Report Series Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan

No. 43 May 2007

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan

May 2007

Fisheries Victoria Management Report Series No. 43

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan

Published by Department of Primary Industries Copies are also available from the website: Fisheries Victoria www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing PO BOX 4440 Follow the links – Managing Fisheries, Victoria, 3001 Management Plans and Strategies. © The State of Victoria, 2007 Disclaimer This publication is copyright. No part may be This publication may be of assistance to you, but produced by any process except in accordance the State of Victoria and its employees do not with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. guarantee that the publication is without flaw or is Reproduction and the making available of this wholly appropriate for your particular purposes material for personal, in-house, or non-commercial and therefore disclaims all liability for an error, purposes is authorised on the condition that: loss or other consequence which may arise from • The copyright is acknowledged as the owner; you relying on any information in this publication. • No official connection is claimed; This management plan cannot be used in a court of law. Fishing laws change from time to time. It is

• The material is made available without charge your responsibility to ensure that you are acting or cost; and within the law. If you are in doubt seek • The material is not subject to inaccurate, independent legal advice. misleading or derogatory comment. For further information on this management plan Requests to reproduce or communicate this or on recreational fishing in general, contact the material in any way not permitted by this licence Department of Primary Industries Customer (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Service Centre (telephone 136 186) or visit the Act 1968) should be directed to the Nominated Department’s website at Officer Copyright, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne, www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing/ 3001. For further information on the activities of the Authorised by Victorian Government, Victorian Recreational Fishing peak body (VRFish) 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne. telephone (03) 9854 6167 or visit the VRFish web site at www.vrfish.com.au. ISSN: 1448-1693 For more information about the DPI visit the ISBN: 978-1-74146-964-8 website at www.dpi.vic.gov.au or call the Printed by Classic Colour Copying, Melbourne Customer Service Centre on 136 186. Preferred way to cite this publication: Department of Primary Industries (2007) Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 2007. Fisheries Victoria Management Report Series No. 43

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan ii

Table of Contents

Executive summary ...... 1

Introduction ...... 2 Description of Lake Tyers and its catchment ...... 2 Declaration of Lake Tyers as a fisheries reserve ...... 3 Recreational fishing...... 3 Commercial fishing...... 6 Biology and ecological requirements of key target recreational fish species...... 7 Significance of Lake Tyers to Traditional Owners...... 10 Other uses of Lake Tyers...... 10

Current management arrangements ...... 12 Legislative and policy framework for fisheries management...... 12 Current controls on fishing...... 13 Fishing by Indigenous Australians...... 14 Fishery co-management arrangements ...... 14 Management of non-fisheries uses/values in and around Lake Tyers ...... 14

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan...... 20 Duration of the LTFRMP...... 20 Review of the LTFRMP...... 20 The planning process...... 20 Management goals and objectives ...... 22 Strategies...... 22

Recreational fishing opportunities ...... 23 Strategy 1 – Monitor fishing values or preferences in Lake Tyers ...... 23 Strategy 2 – Maintain or enhance levels of satisfaction with fishing opportunities ...... 24 Strategy 3 – Identify and encourage responsible recreational fishing behaviour...... 24

Sustainable use of fish resources ...... 26 Strategy 4 – Assess the status of dusky flathead and black bream stocks and ensure sustainable fishing...... 26 Strategy 5 – Monitor catch composition and trends for other fishery species...... 29

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan iii Maintenance of fish habitat ...... 30 Strategy 6 – Identify important habitat requirements for key fishery species ...... 30 Strategy 7 – Work with other agencies to promote protection of important fish habitats ...... 31

Issues affecting recreational fishing opportunities...... 33 Strategy 8 – Work with other agencies to maintain or improve fishing access, facilities and opportunities ....33

Research and monitoring...... 44 Planning and priorities...... 44 Fisheries and fish stocks...... 44

Compliance with fishing controls...... 47 Fisheries compliance in Lake Tyers...... 47

Management plan implementation ...... 49 Key implementation actions...... 49 Costs of implementation ...... 49

References ...... 50

Glossary...... 53

Abbreviations...... 54

Appendices ...... 55 Appendix 1: Gazetted Declaration of Lake Tyers as a Fisheries Reserve ...... 55 Appendix 2: Biology and ecological requirements of other target recreational fish species...... 56 Appendix 3: Ministerial guidelines for Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve ...... 57 Appendix 4: Management Plan Steering Committee...... 58

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan iv Executive summary

The purpose of the Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Available evidence from fishery monitoring and Management Plan (LTFRMP) is to specify the assessment programs indicate that current levels objectives, strategies and performance measures of fishing in Lake Tyers are sustainable and, for managing fishing activities within the Lake therefore, existing fishery management Tyers Fisheries Reserve. arrangements will initially remain unchanged. However, it is recognised that more information is The LTFRMP has been prepared under the required to inform fisheries management into the requirements of the Victorian Fisheries Act 1995 future. and has been developed in accordance with gazetted Ministerial guidelines. The LTFRMP New or expanded programs will be established to prescribes fishery management arrangements for provide updated information on recreational the Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve in accordance fishing activities, to assess the status of the two key with the nationally agreed framework for applying recreational fishing target species – dusky flathead the principles of Ecologically Sustainable and black bream, and to identify key fish habitats Development to fisheries. in the . The LTFRMP describes: If information obtained from these programs indicates a need to alter fishery management • the geography of Lake Tyers, available arrangements to ensure sustainable use, or to meet information on recreational fishing activities, changing demands for recreational fishing and other values/uses of the estuary and opportunities, then changes will be considered in surrounds that may affect recreational fishing consultation with stakeholders. opportunities • current management arrangements for fishing Priorities for implementation and indicative costs activities and for other relevant uses/values of of the actions identified in the LTFRMP are the estuary and surrounds provided. Annual progress reports on the • goals, objectives, performance indicators and achievements of the LTFRMP and a 10-year review actions for management of fishing activities in process will allow fishery management the Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve arrangements for the Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve to be adapted to changing circumstances, ensuring • processes for participating in management of sustainable use of fisheries resources with other relevant values/uses in and around the enhanced economic and social benefits to the estuary, to ensure any possible concerns community. regarding consequences for recreational fishing can be raised and considered in the appropriate A reference group will be established to work with forums. the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to deliver the key management outcomes from the LTFRMP.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 1 Introduction

On 22 January 2004, Lake Tyers was declared a Description of Lake Tyers and its fisheries reserve under the provisions of Section 88 of the Fisheries Act 1995. The defined area of the catchment Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve is the Main Lake, Lake Tyers (Figure 1) is a small estuary about Toorloo Arm below the Princes Highway Bridge 15 km east of Entrance with a total water and Nowa Nowa Arm below the Princess area of about 25 sq km and a catchment area of Highway Bridge. A notice published in the approximately 470 sq km. The Main Lake occupies Victorian Government Gazette (see Appendix 1) some 7 sq km and is comparatively shallow with indicates that the purpose of the Lake Tyers an average depth of three to four metres (Hall Fisheries Reserve is to: 1984; NREC 1991). Most of the estuary catchment is forested and lies within existing or proposed

• provide for enhanced fishing activities for Forest Parks, State Forests or State Parks. recreational fishers Consequently, Lake Tyers does not suffer the same • improve the management of monitoring of degree of catchment erosion and sediment these enhance harvesting opportunities deposition as some other , • improve the management and monitoring of although there may be some localised any other issues that are likely to impact on sedimentation from freshwater inflows in the upper these harvesting opportunities reaches of the estuary (Hall 1984; NREC 1991). • enable the development of a management plan The Toorloo and Nowa Nowa arms are submerged which will: extensions of the Stony and Boggy creeks - specify guidelines regulating or restricting respectively, with deeper waterholes up to 24 m in equipment and activities in the Fisheries depth a common occurrence (Hall 1984). Rocky Reserve banks, coarse sands, siltation and submerged debris are commonly found throughout much of - provide for the issue of permits by the the Nowa Nowa and Toorloo arms (Hall 1984). Secretary in respect of activities in the Fisheries Reserve, and Shallow waters in the Main Lake are often well - establish a compliance strategy framework mixed due to wind driven water circulation. for the reserve. Waters in the Toorloo and Nowa Nowa arms are less well mixed due to being deeper in some places The Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management and well protected by vegetation cover along the Plan (LTFRMP) specifies the objectives, strategies banks. Anecdotal evidence from local observations and performance measures for managing fishing suggests that extensive scouring and sand deposits activities within the Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve, may occur in the Toorloo Arm during flood and was developed in consultation with events. recreational fishers and other interested sectors of the community. The LTFRMP formalises fishery Deposits of fluvial sediment over time have management arrangements for the next 10 years in resulted in the formation of mud banks near the accordance with the principles of Ecologically mouth of Lake Tyers, with the substrate covered Sustainable Development (described in Fletcher et by fine grained sands. Formations near the mouth al. 2002). of Lake Tyers also appear to have changed with deeper holes slowly disappearing and the main The LTFRMP also describes other uses, activities channel which runs past the Number 2 boat ramp and environmental processes in and around Lake also becoming shallower. Tyers that may influence fishing opportunities or the productivity of fish habitats in the estuary. The The entrance to Lake Tyers is periodically closed LTFRMP identifies agency responsibilities and by a sand bar, and may open naturally or as a processes for management of these non-fishing result of artificial manipulation. Consequently, uses/activities, and actions needed to ensure that salinity levels, water temperature, dissolved any possible concerns regarding consequences for oxygen concentrations, growth of aquatic fishing or fish habitat can be raised and considered vegetation and turbidity levels may vary in the appropriate forums. substantially within the estuary (NREC 1991; MacDonald 1997).

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 2

The main freshwater inflows to Lake Tyers are populations in the Lake Tyers estuary (MacDonald from Stony and Cherry Tree creeks (on the Toorloo 1997). Arm), and Boggy and Ironstone creeks (on the Nowa Nowa Arm). Declaration of Lake Tyers as a The Lake Tyers catchment supports open forests fisheries reserve which include overstorey species like stringybarks, Prior to the November 2002 State election, the red box, ironbark, southern mahogany, messmate, Victorian Government indicated its commitment to manna gums, silvertop ash and peppermints. Grey improving recreational fishing opportunities by box communities occur on many of the steep proposing the establishment of fisheries reserves shorelines of the estuary, making shore-based in three Gippsland estuaries: Anderson Inlet, Lake access for aquatic activities difficult in some places Tyers and Mallacoota Inlet. The proposals for Lake (Hall 1984). Tyers and Mallacoota Inlet included the removal of commercial fishing, other than fishing for eels Banksia communities predominate on sandy soils and bait. in low lying and coastal dune areas of the estuary, and saltmarsh communities cover much of the Public submissions received between October and southern shoreline and mud islands of the Main December 2002 indicated that there was majority Lake. These areas provide valuable habitat to a public support for these proposals. Lake Tyers was number of bird species of high conservation value, declared a fisheries reserve on 22 January 2004, to including the Little Tern and other migratory be managed primarily for the purpose of waders. maintaining or enhancing recreational fishing opportunities. Clearing of land for agriculture has been minimal, with cattle and sheep grazing properties found at Recreational fishing only a few locations throughout the catchment, Results of the 2000/01 National Recreational and particularly above the Princes Highway bridge on Indigenous Fishing Survey (Henry & Lyle 2003) the Boggy Creek. For further information on land indicated that approximately 550,000 Victorians or status around the Lake Tyers catchment, refer to 13% of the State’s population went recreational the Department of Sustainability and fishing in the 12-month period prior to May 2000. Environment’s (DSE) ‘Planning Scheme online’ Approximately 43% of total Victorian recreational website at www.dse.vic.gov.au/planningschemes/. fishing events in 2000/01 occurred in bays, inlets The Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust consists of both and estuaries, including Lake Tyers. The majority cleared and forested land along the northern banks of this effort was probably expended in the larger of the Main Lake, the western shores of the Nowa bays and estuaries such as Bay, Nowa Arm and the eastern shores of Blackfellow and Gippsland Lakes. Arm. The National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing The only substantial clearing of the catchment for Survey also found that Victorians spent residential and tourist purposes has occurred in or approximately $400 million on goods and services near the townships of Lake Tyers Beach and Nowa associated with recreational fishing activities Nowa. Like many small coastal towns, the during 2000/01. This was equivalent to $721 per township of Lake Tyers Beach has experienced a fisher per year – the highest per capita expenditure significant increase in population over the past 10 in . Approximately two thirds of this years with over 500 permanent residents expenditure occurred in the Melbourne (Meinhardt Infrastructure & Environment 2005). metropolitan area, but it is nevertheless clear that recreational fishing can significantly contribute to Since 2000, annual rainfall in the Lake Tyers local or regional economies. catchment has varied between 505 mm and 720 mm, with an average of 620 mm (Whadcoat pers. comm. Further analysis of Victorian data from the NRIFS 2006). The average annual rainfall reported in the has indicated that Lake Tyers contributed a small early 1980s was 856 mm (LCC 1982). but significant component of the total Victorian recreational catches of bream and dusky flathead Seasonal and annual fluctuations in salinity, water in 2000/01. It should be noted that the catch temperature, water quality, habitat, food estimates were based on only a small number of availability and whether or not the entrance is reported fishing trips in the estuary during the open, are all likely to influence breeding success, survey period. survival of larvae and small juveniles, rates of immigration/emigration and growth rates of fish

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 3

Figure 1: Map of Lake Tyers and surrounds showing main tributaries, vehicle access points, fishing reserve boundaries, boundaries of inland and marine waters for fisheries management purposes and boat launching facilities

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 4

Profile of recreational fishing in Anecdotal evidence suggests that targeting of Lake Tyers prawns is dependent on the ability of the species Most recreational fishing in Lake Tyers is angling. to access the estuary when the entrance is open. In the past, there have been substantial seasonal Lengthy periods of closure in recent years have fluctuations in recreational fishing activity with meant less frequent targeting of prawns in Lake reported peaks coinciding with summer holiday Tyers. and school holiday periods (Hall & MacDonald From July 1984 to June 1985, black bream and river 1985). Boat-based and shore-based anglers each garfish were the two most popular target species contributed 50% of the estimated total angler for recreational anglers, followed by yellow-eye effort. mullet (Hall & MacDonald 1985). Collectively, Hall & MacDonald (1985) estimated that during bream and garfish contributed 80% - 90% of the the survey period, over two-thirds of all total annual recreational catch (both by number of recreational fishers in Lake Tyers were tourists fish and by weight). Smaller catches of dusky and visitors to the area and these visitors flathead, Australian salmon, luderick, silver accounted for 69% of the total angler effort. trevally, snapper, sea mullet, King George whiting and tailor were also observed. For most months of the year, boat-based angling was more popular than shore-based fishing in the VicTag information for Lake Tyers Nowa Nowa Arm, whereas shore-based fishing The Victorian recreational fish tagging program was the favoured angling option in the Toorloo (VicTag) was established by recreational anglers to Arm zone (area defined to include the Main Lake obtain information about fish movement and and Fishermans Arm). The Toorloo Arm zone growth. Records from the Victorian recreational experienced 69% of the total annual angling effort fish tagging program (VicTag) indicate that just for the estuary. The total angling effort in the over 1500 black bream varying in size from 18 cm Toorloo Arm zone exceeded that in the Nowa to 40 cm were tagged and released in Lake Tyers Nowa Arm for all but two months of the year (Hall in 2003 and 2004 (ANSA 2004). Of these, a total of & MacDonald 1985). 19 fish, or 1.3%, had been reported as being recaptured by the end of 2004. The recapture rate Boat-based recreational fishing in Lake Tyers is of tagged black bream in Lake Tyers was small predominantly from small powered boats that are compared with other species like dusky flathead launched from boat ramps throughout the estuary, which experienced a recapture rate of 7.6%. The including Number 2 boat ramp located in the lower proportion of recaptures for black bream township of Lake Tyers Beach, Mill Point, suggests that either the species is not being Fishermans Landing and Nowa Nowa. targeted as much as dusky flathead in Lake Tyers, Shore-based fishing is also available in some or that the relative abundance of bream is higher locations, for example around the Main Lake, at than dusky flathead and therefore tag recapture Burnt Bridge and in other designated areas along rates are lower. the Nowa Nowa and Toorloo arms. Much of Lake VicTag records indicate that a total of 881 dusky Tyers is inaccessible for this purpose. flathead between 20 cm and 60 cm were tagged A recreational fishing charter boat also operates in and released in Lake Tyers between 2003 and 2004 Lake Tyers. (ANSA 2004). A total of 67 recaptures (or 7.6% of tagged fish) were reported during this time. It Key fish species should be noted that the recapture rate for dusky Information collected from the public consultation flathead tagged at between 30 cm and 40 cm in processes for the preparation of the LTFRMP length was 4.8%, whereas the recapture rate for suggests that in recent years, the main target fish tagged at between 40 cm and 50 cm in length species for recreational fishers in Lake Tyers have was 9.2%, and for fish tagged at between 50 cm been dusky flathead and black bream. Other and 60 cm was 15.5% species that are caught in the estuary or have been targeted in the past include garfish (mostly river Fishing catch and effort garfish), Australian salmon, yellow-eye mullet, The only information on annual recreational tailor, silver trevally, prawns, mulloway, luderick, fishing catch and effort within Lake Tyers is red gurnard, six-spined leatherjacket, tarwhine, between July 1984 and June 1985 (Hall & estuary perch and sea mullet. MacDonald 1985). Total daytime angling effort for the surveyed period was estimated to be 119,000 hours or 23,000

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 5 angler days with peaks in fishing activity The main target species for commercial bait occurring in December/January, May and collectors are prawn, shrimp and sandworm. August/September. Recording of commercial finfish catches from Lake Total retained recreational catch from Lake Tyers Tyers began in 1916 and ceased when the fishery in the study year of 1984/85 was approximately closed in 2003. The main commercial fishing 92,000 fish with an estimated total weight of methods used were haul seine nets (both estuary approximately 15 tonnes. Of this, approximately and garfish seines) and mesh (gill) nets. From the 10 tonnes (or 69% of total weight) was black early 1970s until its closure in 2003, commercial bream, while river garfish accounted for an fishing in Lake Tyers was restricted to five months estimated 2.5 tonnes (or 18% of total weight). in any given year - from just after Easter until early Comparisons of the estimated 1984/85 total annual September - to minimise conflict with recreational recreational catch from Lake Tyers with the fishing and other water-based uses of the estuary reported Lake Tyers commercial catch for the same during peak holiday periods (MacDonald 1997). period suggested total recreational catches of black Catch and effort records indicate that annual bream, river garfish and all species combined were commercial catches from Lake Tyers varied similar in size to the corresponding commercial considerably with a maximum of about 56 tonnes catches (Hall & MacDonald 1985; MacDonald in 1969 and a minimum of 3 tonnes in 1980 1997). (MacDonald 1997). Catches exhibited longer term Commercial fishing cyclic fluctuations, declining from an average of about 35 tonnes per annum in the late 1960s to a Commercial net fishing for finfish has a long low of about eight tonnes in the late 1970s, and history in Lake Tyers. The origins and then increasing again to an average of about 33 development of the Lake Tyers commercial fishery tonnes through the 1990s (MacDonald 1997; DPI from its commencement in the late 1880s, and 2001a). This data needs to be considered in the summarised management arrangements and absence of information on how fishers were available fishery data have been provided by Hall changing areas, and does not necessarily reflect (1984) and MacDonald (1997). stock status. In view of the imposition of seasonal closures since Black bream was the largest and most valuable the early days of the Lake Tyers commercial component of commercial catches, followed by fishery, and the use of Lake Tyers almost luderick, mullet and silver trevally (MacDonald exclusively by Gippsland Lakes fishers, the Lake 1997; DPI 2001a). Catches of dusky flathead and Tyers fishery developed as a supplement to the estuary perch were generally small and incidental. larger Gippsland Lakes fishery and was managed The estimated wholesale market value of Lake accordingly. After 1987, 13 specific non- Tyers commercial catches during the mid 1990s transferable Lake Tyers fishing licences were was around $135,000 per year (DPI 2001a). issued to operators who had a history of fishing in Lake Tyers (MacDonald 1997). The number of Table 1 summarises mean annual commercial licences in the fishery subsequently diminished finfish catches from Lake Tyers between fiscal through retirements of operators and a substantial years 1978/79 and 2002/03. voluntary buy-back of licences in 2000.

Commercial net fishing for finfish continued until April 2003 when the remaining three licenses were cancelled. There is currently one permit that allows commercial eel fishing and several licences that authorise commercial bait fishing in Lake Tyers.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 6

Table 1: Annual commercial fish catches (kg) from Lake Tyers during fiscal years 1978/79-2002/03 Highest Lowest Mean % of total catch Species annual catch annual catch annual catch for the period (kg) (kg) (kg) 1978-2003 Australian salmon 2195 7 252.2 0.97% Bream, black 17976 617 10004.8 38.47% Bream, yellowfin* 273 1 38.5 0.15% Flathead, dusky 2278 66 837.8 3.22% Garfish, all species 3421 5 465.9 1.79% Leatherjacket 2022 6 298.4 1.15% Luderick 13393 247 5099.6 19.61% Mullet, yellow-eye 9902 6 1939.9 7.46% Mullet, all other species 13825 23 2870.6 11.04% Perch 1505 1 129.2 0.50% Prawn, all species 2468 3 124.3 0.48% Snapper 2259 3 183 0.70% Tailor 7000 63 1609 6.18% Trevally 8794 37 2146.6 8.25% Whiting, all species 71 1 12.1 0.05% All species total 48004 3530 27598 100.00% *Prior to 1995, species was recorded with catches of Black Bream

Biology and ecological (Acanthopagrus australis) in southern and (Kailola et al. 1993). requirements of key target These two species are morphologically very recreational fish species similar and are known to hybridise in some areas The following descriptions of the biological and where they coexist (Rowland 1984). ecological characteristics of key target recreational Black bream is a demersal species and may be fish species in Lake Tyers are derived from found in association with beds, snags published literature. While some recreational and man-made structures (e.g. jetties), and may fishers have extensive knowledge of the also be caught over seagrass beds, mud and sand distribution and behaviour of key fish species in substrates (Kailola et al. 1993; Cashmore et al. Lake Tyers based on personal observations, there 2000). Black bream are rarely found at sea has been little or no scientific investigation of the although some adult bream may migrate between distribution, population dynamics or ecological estuaries (Hall 1984). requirements of these fish species in the estuary. The list of key species for the LTFRMP has been Larvae and small juvenile black bream are thought identified from the public consultation process and to be found primarily amongst seagrass beds anecdotal evidence, and is not considered to be a because of the availability of small invertebrate definitive list of key recreational target species. prey and adequate shelter for the species (Kailola Further information on species other than black et al. 1993; Cashmore et al. 2000). bream, dusky flathead, silver trevally, river garfish Spawning for this species can occur from August and tailor can be found in Appendix 2. to the following January in any given year, but the Black bream peak is usually in October/November. Bream spawning usually begins later in western Victorian Black bream () is an endemic estuaries than in Gippsland estuaries species, which inhabits estuarine waters of (Cadwallader & Backhouse 1983). Within the southern Australia from New South Wales to Gippsland Lakes, bream have been found to . The range of black bream spawn from September to December. overlaps with the closely related yellowfin bream

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 7 Anecdotal evidence from local anglers Dusky flathead are thought to spawn from participating in the Lake Tyers Fish Habitat January to March in Victorian waters (Kailola et al. Assessment workshops suggests that bream 1993). Anecdotal evidence obtained from the first spawning occurs in the deeper, more protected public submission process indicates that dusky waters of the Toorloo and Nowa Nowa arms and flathead spawn in December/January and begin to that post spawning bream may also aggregate move upstream from the Main Lake around around the seagrasses on the edge of the Main February each year. Lake (DPI 2006a). Further anecdotal observations suggest that in The survival of black bream larvae appears to be Lake Tyers, the important spawning grounds may heavily dependent on suitable salinity and water be in the Toorloo and Nowa Nowa arms as well as temperature conditions as well as food and habitat seagrass and unvegetated shallows around the availability (Kailola et al. 1993; Cashmore et al. Main Lake. However, it is possible that dusky 2000). flathead spawn in open coastal waters or estuaries up the east coast may also be a source of juvenile Female black bream first spawn at approximately recruitment to Lake Tyers when the entrance is 24 cm in length and can release between 300,000 open. and 3 million eggs depending on environmental conditions. Males become sexually mature at 22 Dusky flathead attain first sexual maturity at a cm (Kailola et al. 1993). larger size in warmer waters compared with cooler waters (Kailola et al. 1993). Juvenile black bream feed primarily on polychaetes with bivalves and amphipods Dusky flathead are ambush predators with prey considered a secondary component of their diet including other fish (mullet or whiting), crabs, (Cashmore et al. 2000). Adult black bream are prawns, other crustaceans and polychaete worms considered to be opportunistic feeders, with prey (Kailola et al. 1993). items including bivalve and gastropod molluscs, Kailola et al. (1993) suggest that dusky flathead prawns and crabs, polychaete worms and other populations may have been affected by loss of small demersal fish, possibly including juvenile seagrass, sedimentation and changes in habitat bream (Kailola et al. 1993; Cashmore et al. 2000). and environment, particularly in east coast Anecdotal evidence obtained from fishers estuaries and inlets. participating in the Lake Tyers Fish Habitat Anecdotal evidence and information collected Assessment workshop in 2006 suggests that adult from the public submission process for the black bream will move around the estuary preparation of the LTFRMP, suggests that dusky throughout the year and are likely to be caught flathead can be caught all year round in Lake around snags in the Toorloo and Nowa Nowa Tyers. arms (DPI 2006a). Dusky flathead Silver trevally Trevally species of the genus Pseudocaranx are Dusky flathead (Platycephalus fuscus) are an widespread in temperate and sub-tropical waters endemic species to Australia and are found in of Australia, New Zealand, the Indian Ocean and bays, estuaries and inshore coastal areas from the Atlantic Ocean (James 1984). Silver trevally in Cairns in to the Gippsland Lakes in Victorian, Tasmanian, South Australian and Victoria (Kailola et al. 1993). Western Australian waters consist of two very Dusky flathead may be found residing over mud, similar species, P. dentex and P. wrighti (Gomon et silt, sand and gravel beds as well as seagrass beds al. 1994). (predominantly Zostera spp.) (Kailola et al. 1993). Juvenile silver trevally occur over soft substrates in Anecdotal evidence from anglers presented at the estuaries, bays and shallow coastal waters, whilst Lake Tyers Fish Habitat Assessment workshops adults are found either in shallow coastal waters suggests that in Lake Tyers, dusky flathead appear or form pelagic schools in deeper waters off the to congregate around the Main Lake in continental shelf (Last et al. 1983; James 1976). October/November and then move upstream Spawning occurs during summer (Lenanton 1977). around Easter (DPI 2006a). Dusky flathead appear Adult fish in spawning condition have been to prefer to reside in drop-offs in the Main Lake, or recorded from both estuaries and offshore areas in shallow waters (<20 cm) during early morning (Winstanley 1985), but spawning habitat and late afternoons (DPI 2001b). preferences have not been identified. Anecdotal

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 8

evidence from anglers suggests that adults migrate attaching to seagrass. The stomach contents of into the estuary when the bar has been breached larger juveniles and adult river garfish are and subsequently become trapped (DPI 2001b). composed almost entirely of seagrass (Rigby 1984). Also, silver trevally appear to undergo rapid River garfish of all sizes are found throughout the growth in Lake Tyers and are in good condition Lake Tyers estuary, and there is some anecdotal when caught by anglers (DPI 2006a). evidence to suggest that the species breeds in the Silver trevally can live for more than 40 years upper reaches of the Toorloo and Nowa Nowa (James 1978) and have been reported to grow up to arms (DPI 2001b). a total length of 94 cm (Hutchins & Swainston The southern sea garfish is found in marine waters 1986) and up to 6.0 kg in weight (Last et al. 1983). from Eden in New South Wales to Kalbarri in Trevally larger than about 38 cm length are Western Australia (Paxton et al. 1989). uncommon in Victorian bays, estuaries and shallow coastal waters. In Victoria, southern sea garfish spawn between October and March and produce relatively few but Silver trevally are opportunistic carnivores, large eggs (Jones 2002). Southern sea garfish are adapted to both benthic and planktonic feeding also known to be serial batch spawners. Eggs are modes. Their benthic diet consists of polychaete thought to be transparent and have filaments, worms, molluscs and small crustaceans, while which enable them to attach to aquatic vegetation surface schools of trevally consume planktonic – particularly seagrasses (Kailola et al. 1993). crustaceans - particularly euphausids (krill). Juvenile trevally mainly consume micro- Juvenile southern sea garfish often inhabit crustaceans (Winstanley 1985). Seasonal feeding sheltered marine waters for at least the first year of preferences occur in adult trevally with a summer their life (Jones et al. 2002). It is thought that the diet of essentially crustaceans shifting to mainly species attains first sexual maturity between 13-15 bivalve molluscs and teleosts in winter (Anon., months of age with the size at first maturity being 1981). Anecdotal evidence from anglers suggests around 23 cm total length in Victorian waters that in Lake Tyers, silver trevally feed on prawn (Jones et al. 2002). Southern sea garfish are and baitfish (DPI 2006a). reported to grow up to 52 cm in length and 0.4 kg in weight (Kailola et al. 1993). River garfish & southern sea garfish There are two distinct species of garfish that live at Southern sea garfish are omnivores and have been least part of their life cycle in Lake Tyers: river reported to feed on seagrass, algaes and diatoms garfish (Hyporhamphus regularis) and southern sea which live on seagrass blades during the day, garfish (Hyporhamphus melanochir). River garfish is while feeding on small invertebrate animals (ie thought to consist of two subspecies – one on the amphipods and worms) at night (Kailola et al. east coast of Australia and one on the west coast of 1993). The species has been known to feed on Western Australia (Kailola et al. 1993). River terrestrial insects which have been blown from the garfish may be distinguished from the southern land to the water (Kailola et al. 1993). sea garfish by the following: Tailor • less deeply forked tail fin Tailor (Pomatomus saltatrix) has a wide distribution • greener coloured back that occurs from the northern tip of Fraser Island • robust scales which do not easily detach in Queensland to Onslow in Western Australia (Kailola et al. 1993). Lower numbers of tailor are • red tip on the beak like lower jaw. caught in and western Victorian waters Eastern river garfish occur in a wide range of compared with the west and east coasts of estuaries from southern Queensland to Wilsons Australia. The species is considered rare in the Promontory in eastern Victoria (Kailola et al 1993; Great Australian Bight and Gomon et al 1994). River garfish are surface (Kailola et al. 1993). schooling and found over seagrass beds, particularly eel grass or vegetated bottoms (Kailola Tailor are known to spawn off the north east coast et al 1993). of Fraser Island, with further spawning grounds suspected along the northern coast of New South Little is known about the life history of river Wales (Halliday 1990). garfish (Ramm 1986). The maximum size, life expectancy or age at maturity for this species is The species is known to aggregate prior to unknown. Spawning in spring was observed in the spawning which occurs during late winter and Gippsland Lakes by Ramm (1986) with eggs spring (Kailola et al. 1993). Larval and juvenile

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 9 tailor are generally found in estuarine including sites which contain artefacts, and places environments until they are approximately 35-45 of spiritual and or cultural significance. cm in length. During their second year, juveniles Artefact scatters, scar trees, burials/conflict sites, are thought to school and move to oceanic waters middens, pre-contact association places and self- (Kailola et al. 1993). determination sites are found on the banks of the Tailor may grow to a size of 15 cm by the end of estuary and up to a few hundred metres inland. their first year of life and can exceed 60 cm in total All sites of cultural significance and artefacts are length by the age of five years (Kailola et al. 1993). currently protected by a combination of State (e.g. Maturity in most individuals occurs at a total the Aboriginal and Archaeological Relics Preservation length of 30 cm and approximately two years of Act 1972) and Commonwealth legislation (e.g. the age, although it is thought that males tend to be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage slightly smaller at maturity than females (Kailola Protection Act 1984). Aboriginal Affairs Victoria et al. 1993). (AAV) is the authority responsible for the administration of those Acts. Tailor may feed on garfish, whiting, squid and mullet al.though small shoaling pelagic fish like Enquiries in relation to registered or noted sites of pilchards and anchovies are more common (Hall cultural significance should be directed to AAV. 1984). Any proposed works or use of Crown land are required to be carried out in accordance with the Anecdotal evidence suggests that some tailor ’future acts’ provision of the Native Title Act 1993, appear to be residents of Lake Tyers, although it is the Aboriginal and Archaeological Relics Preservation unlikely that the species breed in the estuary. Act 1992, and part IIA of the Commonwealth Recruitment of tailor appears to be from the ocean Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage when the bar has been breached (DPI 2001b). Protection Act 1984. Significance of Lake Tyers to Information regarding Indigenous fishing Traditional Owners activities and controls on these activities can be found under the ‘Current Management Prior to European settlement, the Lake Tyers area Arrangements’ section of this Plan. and much of the Gippsland region was part of the Country of the Gunai/Kurnai People. The Other uses of Lake Tyers Gunai/Kurnai People consisted of five clans: Bratowoloong, Brayakoloong, Brabuwooloong, Lake Tyers is a popular destination for visitors and Tatungoloong and Krowathunkooloong. The residents to engage in a number of shore-based Krowathunkooloong and Brabuwooloong people and water-based recreational activities. Visitors shared part of the waters of Lake Tyers. Members and residents primarily use Lake Tyers for fishing, of the clans were hunters and fishers who spent swimming and nature-based activities (Shire of most of their time along the coastline, rivers and Tambo 1991). estuaries where fresh water and a diverse range of Water-based activities food was plentiful (Coutts 1981; EGCMA 2005). Watercraft uses of Lake Tyers include recreational Bone hooks, spears and nets including drag and boating, wind surfing, canoeing, kayaking, kite mesh, were used by Traditional Owners fishing in surfing, sailing, personal water-craft and water- Lake Tyers to catch snapper, gurnard, flounder, skiing. Canoeing and kayaking occur throughout garfish, mullet, bream, trevally and flathead the estuary, while wind surfing and kite surfing (Vanderwal 1994). Mussels were also collected and are restricted to the bottom end of the Main Lake highly valued as a source of food (Vanderwal where higher winds allow for such usage. 1994). Water-skiing and personal water-craft use are Lake Tyers and surrounding country is still used popular around Mill Point, Lonely Bay and by and has great cultural significance for, Blackfellow Arm where water depths and shelter aboriginal people/Traditional Owners based on from winds are conducive to such activities. traditions – including landscape and seascape values – descended from the original Indigenous Swimming and snorkelling by residents and custodians of Country in this area. visitors also occur within the estuary. Sites and places of cultural significance A nature-based tour vessel operates from There are a large number of significant aboriginal Fishermans Landing. cultural locations in and around Lake Tyers,

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 10

Water-craft access to Lake Tyers is from a number Shore-based activities of locations including Number 2 boat ramp Major shore-based activities around Lake Tyers situated in the township of Lake Tyers Beach, have been identified by Parks Victoria Nowa Nowa boat ramp, Fishermans Landing boat (www.parkweb.vic.gov.au) as including ramp and Mill Point boat ramp. Number 2 boat birdwatching, bushwalking, picnicking, and ramp is mainly used by anglers, while Mill Point is camping. Some activities may be restricted due to popular for boating activities including boat-based limited shore access, high water levels or in order fishing, water-skiing and the use of personal to meet natural resource management objectives, water-craft due to its direct access to deep water. particularly in the Lake Tyers Forest Park (LTFP). The increasing demand for these water-based activities, particularly during peak holiday Camping is permitted on the eastern edge of the periods, may lead to congestion both on the water Nowa Nowa Arm in three designated camping and at boat launching access points. areas: The Glasshouse, Camerons Arm No. One Track and Trident Arm (Parks Victoria 2002 or A small number of swing moorings are situated in www.parkweb.vic.gov.au). Fishermans Arm. Management of moorings is through a licensing/permit system administered Intensive use of some of the foreshore locations, in by the DSE. Further information on moorings can particular the township of Lake Tyers Beach, Mill be obtained through Gippsland Ports, the East Point and Nowa Nowa, has resulted in Gippsland Shire Council or DSE. environmental degradation including the removal of native vegetation, erosion from uncontrolled vehicle and pedestrian access, and pest plant establishment.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 11 Current management arrangements

Following the removal of commercial fishing co-management arrangements, and prescribes (other than for eels and bait) from Lake Tyers in enforcement powers to assist in achieving April 2003, and the declaration of Lake Tyers as a compliance with fishing controls. fisheries reserve in January 2004, the focus for The Regulations prescribe detailed management fisheries management has shifted towards arrangements for individual commercial and maintaining and, where possible, improving recreational fisheries, including licence recreational fishing opportunities in Lake Tyers. requirements, restrictions on fishing equipment The following sections describe the policy and methods, restrictions on fishing catch and or framework, legislative tools, management effort (bag limits, size limits, closed seasons/areas), processes and current controls that apply to and penalties for breaches of fishing controls. recreational fishing in Lake Tyers and other It is important to note that the provisions of Victorian waters. fisheries legislation (including Fisheries Notices) Legislative and policy framework can only be applied to the control of fishing activities. Other human activities (e.g. catchment for fisheries management land use, foreshore development, competing Legislation water-based recreational activities) that may Fishing activities in Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve directly or indirectly affect fish habitats, fishery and in all Victorian public waters are managed resources or the quality of fishing, are managed by under the provisions of the Fisheries Act 1995 (the different agencies under a variety of other Act) and the Fisheries Regulations 1998 (the legislation. Regulations). Policy The Act provides a legislative framework for the All Australian governments, including Victoria, regulation and management of Victorian fisheries have made a commitment to manage fisheries and for the conservation of fisheries resources, according to the principles of Ecologically including their supporting aquatic habitats. The Sustainable Development (ESD). These principles stated objectives of the Act are: include: • to provide for the management, development • ensuring that fishing is carried out in a and use of Victoria's fisheries, aquaculture biologically and ecologically sustainable industries and associated aquatic biological manner resources in an efficient, effective and • ensuring that there is equity within and ecologically sustainable manner between generations regarding the use of fish • to protect and conserve fisheries resources, resources habitats and ecosystems including the • maximising economic and social benefits to the maintenance of aquatic ecological processes community from fisheries within the and genetic diversity constraints of sustainable utilisation • to promote sustainable commercial fishing and • adopting a precautionary approach to viable aquaculture industries and quality management – particularly for fisheries with recreational fishing opportunities for the limited data benefit of present and future generations • ensuring that the processes and procedures • to facilitate access to fisheries resources for involved in management of a fishery are commercial, recreational, traditional and non- appropriate, transparent and inclusive. consumptive uses There is a community expectation that utilisation • to encourage the participation of resource users and the community in fisheries management. of fish resources will be managed according to ESD principles, and they have been followed The Act also provides for the development, during the development of the LTFRMP. implementation and review of fisheries reserve management plans, facilitates participation of stakeholders in fisheries management via fisheries

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 12

Indigenous fishing activities Regulations and summarised in the Victorian The provisions of the Commonwealth Native Title Recreational Fishing Guide. Act 1993 apply to all types of management of Lake Inland and marine waters Tyers. Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve contains both marine An application for a native title determination and inland waters. Marine waters in Lake Tyers which covers parts of East Gippsland including are defined as being downstream of the Princes Lake Tyers, was lodged with the Federal Court by Highway Bridge in the Toorloo Arm and the Gunai/Kurnai People in 1997. downstream of the junction with Ironstone Creek in the Nowa Nowa Arm. All waters upstream of In November 2000, the Victorian Government these two points are considered to be inland signed a Native Title Protocol with the Aboriginal waters for the purposes of fisheries management. and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) and the native title representative body, Native Restrictions on the use or possession of Title Services Victoria. The protocol required the recreational fishing equipment in Victorian inland development of a Statewide policy framework to and marine waters are prescribed in the address a broad range of native title related issues, Regulations and summarised in the Victorian including fisheries. Recreational Fishing Guide. Most notably, anglers are currently restricted to using no more than two Initial discussions with stakeholder groups have lines each in inland waters and no more than four been held to identify fisheries issues relating to in waters classified as marine. The use or native title. possession of spear guns or hand held spears is The Victorian Government is currently working prohibited in Lake Tyers. with Indigenous community representatives, Commonwealth and State fisheries authorities and Size and catch limits other fishing stakeholders to develop a national set Legal minimum sizes, bag limits, possession limits of principles and pathways to facilitate: definition (in, on or next to fishing waters) and vehicle limits and lasting recognition of customary fishing for fin fish and invertebrate species that may apply practices; increased opportunities for economic to recreational fishers in Lake Tyers are prescribed engagement of Indigenous communities in in the Regulations or current Fisheries Notices, fisheries-related enterprises; and increased and are summarised in the Victorian Recreational Indigenous participation in all aspects of fisheries Fishing Guide. use and management. Some size and catch limits have been introduced as measures to protect fish stocks from Current controls on fishing unsustainable fishing pressure. However, many of Recreational fishing licence these limits have been adopted on ethical or A Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) is required cultural grounds, such as defining a reasonable for angling, bait pumping, hand collecting and all take for personal consumption. other forms of recreational fishing in Victorian Since December 2003, recreational fishing for public waters, including Lake Tyers. Some sectors dusky flathead in Lake Tyers and other Victorian of the community, including people under 18 or waters has been subject to interim stricter catch over 70 years of age, holders of a Victorian Seniors limits, introduced by Fisheries Notice to protect Card, and recipients of various age and or dusky flathead from increased targeting by anglers disability benefits, are exempt from the need to using increasingly sophisticated recreational hold a RFL. fishing techniques. Recreational fishing equipment Requirement to land fish in whole or The Regulations define ’recreational fishing equipment’ as including a rod and line, handline, carcass form dip/landing net, bait trap, spear gun, hand-held For some fish species with high commercial spear, bait pump, recreational bait net and market value and which are subject to size limits, recreational hoop net. Recreational use of any there is a requirement to retain captured fish in equipment not included in this definition is whole or carcass form until after they have been prohibited in all Victorian public waters. The landed (brought ashore) in order to ensure maximum permitted dimensions of dip nets, bait compliance with recreational size and catch limits. traps, bait pumps, recreational bait nets and Marine or estuarine fish species required to be recreational hoop nets are prescribed in the landed in whole or carcass form include all shark species, elephant fish, King George whiting,

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 13 bream, snapper and eels. In the case of sharks and The co-management of fisheries within Victoria is elephant fish, ‘carcass’ means a fish which has a process involving three entities. The first been gutted and headed forward of the first gill comprises the peak bodies, including VRFish and slit, but has not been skinned or filleted. In the case Seafood Industry Victoria. of scale fish, ‘carcass’ means a fish which has been The second entity comprises the Fisheries Co- scaled and gutted, but has not been headed or management Council (FCC) and its expertise filleted. based committees. Intertidal collection of shellfish Finally, the third entity is the government Controls on intertidal collection of shellfish and agencies, including the DPI of which Fisheries other invertebrate animals are prescribed in the Victoria is a division. Regulations and are summarised in the Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide. Currently, shellfish The above co-management entities seek to ensure and other invertebrate animals may be collected by that fisheries interests are appropriately hand or using an approved bait pump from most acknowledged and represented during Victorian intertidal waters, including Lake Tyers. consultation processes regarding decisions that The use of a scoop, dredge, fork, spade, rake, may have an impact on any given fishery. shovel or other digging implement to collect invertebrate species from the intertidal zone Management of non-fisheries throughout Victoria is prohibited. uses/values in and around Fishing by Indigenous Australians Lake Tyers The only types of fishing activities currently Wildlife and native vegetation protection defined under the provisions of the Act and the Lake Tyers and its shores contain a variety of Regulations are commercial fishing, recreational terrestrial and aquatic habitats that support a fishing and aquaculture. Access to Victorian diverse array of plant and animal species and waters for each of these types of fishing requires a communities, some of which may be protected licence or permit (although some categories of under State (e.g. the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act recreational fishers are exempt from this 1988 and the Planning and Environment Act 1987) requirement), and is subject to a range of licence and Commonwealth legislation (e.g. the conditions and or regulations. Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999). Customary fishing practices by Indigenous Australians are not identified as a distinct type of The islands, mudbanks, shoreline vegetation and fishing activity under current Victorian legislation, saltmarsh communities found in Lake Tyers are and non-commercial fishing by Indigenous home to a large number of species including Australians is therefore treated as recreational migratory birds and waders including the little fishing. tern which is listed under Schedule 3 of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. There are no known The Act does provide for the issue of permits to rare or threatened finfish species found within the facilitate the taking of a quantity of fish and other boundaries of the Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve. species that would otherwise be prohibited for specified Indigenous cultural ceremonies or Species that have been listed as threatened under events. Schedule 3 of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 require Action Statements specifying Fishery co-management measures to protect listed species to be developed. arrangements Implementation of Action Statements is the responsibility of the DSE, with input from other Co-management is an inclusive arrangement that stakeholders. brings industry, community and government together to participate in the management of a Coastal salt marsh communities occur mainly natural resource. It assists those involved by around the southern shoreline of the Main Lake, improving their collective understanding of including The Glasshouse and in Fishermans Arm. individual stakeholder needs and aspirations and Stands of seagrass, including fine-leaf eel grass by identifying behavioural modifications that can (Zostera spp.), Ruppia spp. and Lepilaena spp. (water increase the long term viability of the resource – mat) cover substantial areas of the estuary, and therefore continued access to that resource by particularly the bottom end of the Main Lake, user groups.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 14

Fishermans Arm and Nowa Nowa Arm (Ducker et with the community to determine future al. 1977; Roob & Ball 1997). management arrangements for the Burnt Bridge site. Seagrass and salt marsh communities are thought to provide important habitat, feeding and nursery Strategic directions identified in the Victorian grounds for a range of aquatic biota, including fish Coastal Strategy (VCC 2002) include the species (Lynch et al. 2004). requirement that public access to coastal Crown land will be maintained except where the interests Much of Lake Tyers adjoins the Lake Tyers Forest of security, safety or protection of coastal resources Park (LTFP) managed by Parks Victoria. The LTFP predominate. The Victorian Coastal Strategy also covers 7,100 hectares and extends from Pettmans specifies that public access to existing shore-based Beach, inland to Mount Nowa Nowa, and to the fishing facilities such as piers and jetties will be eastern side of the entrance of Lake Tyers. For maintained except where there are safety and information and a map of the LTFP, please refer to security issues. New structures to accommodate the Lake Tyers Forest Park – Park Notes (Parks access for fishing will be considered where this is Victoria 2002 or www.parkweb.vic.gov.au). supported by the appropriate land manager. Objectives and strategies for protection of Detailed management proposals for foreshores biodiversity around sections of Lake Tyers are around the township of Lake Tyers Beach, are described in the Victorian Biodiversity Strategy described in the Lake Tyers Beach and Surrounds (DNRE 1997), the Lake Tyers Beach and Surrounds Strategy Plan (Shire of Tambo 1991) and the Draft Strategy Plan (Shire of Tambo 1991) and in Lake Tyers Beach Urban Design Framework sections of the Draft Lake Tyers Beach Urban (Meinhardt Infrastructure & Environment 2005). Design Framework (Meinhardt Infrastructure & Environment 2005). These documents contain proposals to improve vehicle access to Number 2 boat ramp, establish Foreshore use and management walking paths along popular foreshores to prevent The foreshore adjoining the township of Lake unrestricted access, protect aquatic and terrestrial Tyers Beach, particularly between the main flora and fauna, and provide appropriate facilities carpark and Number 2 boat ramp, is a focal point for fishing and boating activities. for fishing, walking, sightseeing, boat launching and swimming and is managed by the East Management of recreational boating and Gippsland Shire Council (EGSC). water-craft Shore-based recreational activities tend to be Gippsland Ports has been designated as the concentrated around boating access points such as ‘waterway manager’ for Lake Tyers in accordance Number 2 boat ramp, Mill Point, Fishermans with the Marine Act 1988 and is responsible for Landing and Nowa Nowa. ongoing maintenance of navigational markers, channels and the designation of boating speed Parks Victoria manages a number of picnic areas zones. around the estuary including Mill Point. Access to these picnic areas is by vehicle, walking or from Boating activities in Lake Tyers are managed the water by vessel. Basic camping with limited under the provisions of the Marine Act 1988 which facilities is provided for at The Glasshouse, is administered by Marine Safety Victoria (MSV). Camerons Arm No. One Track and Trident Arm. Recommendations for changes to boating The Happy Valley Track, Camerons Arm tracks, regulations (including the designation of water- Reedy Arm tracks, Trident Arm Track and Lake skiing zones and vessel speed limits) in places Tyers Road are open to the public and provide such as Lake Tyers may arise through public vehicle and or pedestrian access to the waters edge consultation processes conducted by Gippsland on the eastern side of the Nowa Nowa Arm. Burnt Ports and EGSC. Bridge Road and associated tracks including For further information on boating in this Blackfellow Arm Road, Pile Bay Road, Long Point waterway, please refer to Gippsland Ports Track, Cherry Tree Track and South Boundary and MSV. Road provide access to the Toorloo Arm. Access to the Lonely Bay Walking Track is from Blackfellow The Gippsland Boating Coastal Action Plan Arm Road. Access to Lonely Bay and Blackfellow (GBCAP) (GCB 2002) provides direction for the Arm is by foot or the water. Burnt Bridge, located future management of safe and environmentally along Burnt Bridge Road, is currently closed to friendly boating throughout the Gippsland coastal public access (both vehicle and foot traffic) to region. It also provides a framework for ensure public safety. Parks Victoria is working accommodating multiple uses and users of

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 15 Gippsland waters. The GBCAP identifies channels will occur once the survey has been appropriate boating activities for ‘coastal estuaries’ completed. like Lake Tyers as being active non-powered (i.e. sailing), passive non-powered (i.e. canoeing) and Management of dredging passive powered boating (i.e. fishing). Active Management of dredging activities (e.g. deepening powered boating like water-skiing and fast of the Fishermans Arm channel where it enters the cruising is identified as being more appropriate in Main Lake) is the responsibility of the DSE. Any lakes (inland or coastal) and marine waters. decision to dredge in the waters of Lake Tyers is made by the DSE in consultation with the EPA, Provision and maintenance of foreshore and requires Coastal Management Act 1995 consent. boating facilities and boating All dredging is required to be undertaken in navigational aids accordance with the State Environment Protection Parks Victoria, EGSC and a local Committee of Policies and associated EPA dredging policies. Management are respectively responsible for the Potential adverse impacts of dredging, particularly installation, maintenance and management of boat in areas of seagrass, may include physical damage launching facilities and jetties around Lake Tyers. from dredging, shading or smothering of Management of waterways, including installation, important aquatic vegetation through suspension, maintenance and management of navigational dispersal and re-settlement of dredged sediments, aids, is the responsibility of Gippsland Ports. and production of deep holes in which water may become anoxic (Lynch et al. 2004). A local Committee of Management manages the jetty and associated boat ramp located at Nowa Integrated management of Gippsland Nowa. GBCAP noted that both the ramp and jetty estuaries at Nowa Nowa were affected by flooding in 1998. The Gippsland Coastal Board (GCB), in As a result, the EGSC rebuilt the jetty with Timber partnership with the West and East Gippsland Towns grant funding in 2002/2003. Catchment Management Authorities, has developed a Gippsland Estuaries Coastal Action The Number 2 boat ramp and associated jetties Plan. The Plan was formally approved in found within the township of Lake Tyers Beach November 2006. are managed by the EGSC. EGSC recently upgraded the Number 2 boat ramp in accordance Coastal Action Plans (CAP) are developed under with the recommendations made by the GBCAP. the provisions of the Coastal Management Act 1995 to address coastal issues and implement the At Mill Point, a boat launching ramp, small picnic objectives of the Victorian Coastal Strategy at a area and restricted car parking with steep access is regional level. provided and managed by Parks Victoria. The GBCAP recommends that the ramp be retained in The Gippsland Estuaries CAP aims to provide a its present condition. strategic framework for the future use, development and management of the major Number 1 boat ramp (below the main carpark in riverine estuaries, including artificial openings, the township of Lake Tyers Beach) has been within the Gippsland Region. Implementing the recommended for closure by the GBCAP. Gippsland Estuaries CAP will help to maintain or The management of Fishermans Landing (jetty and enhance aquatic and terrestrial environments and boat ramp) currently lies with EGSC. There are no biodiversity, while maximising social and recommendations made in the GBCAP to upgrade economic benefits from the use of estuaries. these facilities. Artificial entrance openings A number of houseboats are permitted to moor in The entrance at Lake Tyers can open as a result of the waters of Lake Tyers through issue of a swing both natural and artificial processes. In the past, mooring licence which is administered by the DSE the entrance has been opened artificially when on behalf of the EGSC. high water levels threatened to inundate The GBCAP recommends that a boat sewerage infrastructure and land surrounding the estuary. pump-out program be developed for Lake Tyers. The last known natural entrance opening of Lake Tyers occurred in June 1998, with the estuary Gippsland Ports are intending to undertake a full closing again by January 1999. In April 2002 the hydrographic survey in Lake Tyers. Reassessment entrance was artificially opened, but closed of the location of navigational markers and naturally in January 2003.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 16

Currently, the DSE and the EGSC have the assets have been identified (EGCMA 2005). responsibility for any decision regarding artificial General threats to the catchment asset class, as entrance openings at Lake Tyers in consultation identified by the RCS, include: with Parks Victoria, Gippsland Ports, the DPI • effects of inappropriate land use (including (Fisheries Victoria), the East Gippsland Catchment planning) on the environment, natural resource Management Authority (EGCMA) and community production and landscape amenity representatives. All works associated with entrance openings at Lake Tyers are currently • agricultural practices leading to offsite impacts managed by the DSE. and landscape changes • introduction of pest plants and animals and Entrance opening works may require a Works on their potential impacts on the environment as Waterways Permit from the EGCMA and a permit well as natural resource production. from Gippsland Ports for works on waters within Gippsland Ports jurisdiction. Implementation of management actions in the RCS The Gippsland Estuaries CAP specifies a need to will rely on a number of agencies and key develop a decision support system for artificial stakeholders within the region, including the DSE, openings of entrances and a need to identify and the DPI, the Environment Protection Authority involve all appropriate stakeholders. (EPA), Parks Victoria, local government, private landholders and community based programs such At a statewide level, a Steering Committee has as Landcare, Coast Action/Coastcare and been formed to prepare an Estuary Entrance Waterwatch. Management Support System (EEMSS). The EEMSS will assist managers to decide whether or The East Gippsland Regional River Health not to artificially open an estuary entrance and Strategy (RHS) is a sub-strategy to the RCS. under what conditions. It is anticipated that the Threats to the health of Stony Creek and Boggy EEMSS will be applicable for Gippsland estuaries, Creek, the two major watercourses flowing into including Lake Tyers. Experts in relevant Lake Tyers, are identified in the RHS (EGCMA, disciplines (including fisheries) and the 2006), and include: community will be engaged to ensure that • presence of weeds, including willows consideration is given to all possible • bed instability and loss of in-stream habitat environmental, social and economic impacts and • damage to river health from inappropriate benefits associated with the opening. development. A number of options for the management of Management actions identified through the RHS to entrance openings are currently being considered address these threats include: by management agencies at both a statewide and regional level but are yet to be finalised. • control or eradication of riparian weeds including blackberry, blue periwinkle, bridal Management of catchment activities and creeper, kikuyu, willows and poplars their impacts • foreshore and bank revegetation programs and The EGCMA was formed under the provisions of retention of large woody debris the Catchment and Land Management Protection Act • review the activities of all agencies with regard 1994 and the Water Act 1989. The EGCMA works to river health implications. with the regional community, industry and government stakeholders to coordinate the Management of forestry activities development and implementation of strategies for Erosion resulting from forestry practices can integrated management of land and water potentially contribute to increased sediment loads resources in East Gippsland, including Lake Tyers. in waterways. These sediments may affect water quality and cause physical damage through The East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy smothering of important aquatic vegetation (RCS) identifies issues affecting all land and water through re-settlement. A build-up of within the East Gippsland Region regardless of sedimentation may also impede fish migration to management obligations or ownership. spawning, nursery and or feeding grounds.

The RCS identifies six classes of assets; freehold The DSE is responsible for the overall management land, state forest, parks, coastal and marine, of Victoria’s State Forests and identifies broad groundwater, and catchment assets. Threats to the areas available for harvesting activities. VicForests, integrity of these assets and actions to manage a State-owned enterprise, manages the harvest and

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 17 commercial sale of timber from these forests. The Foreshore and urban development DSE must approve any specific locations that Proposals for residential or tourism developments VicForests nominate to be harvested. on private and public land around Lake Tyers are subject to local and or State government planning Forestry practises on public land are undertaken in approvals under the provisions of the Planning and accordance with a number of plans, strategies and Environment Act 1987, and to the issue of Consents legislation including the Code of Forest Practices in accordance with the Coastal Management Act for Timber Production, Utilisation Procedures 1995. If the potential environmental impacts of the which specifies guidelines for management of proposed development are significant, then the forestry practices adjoining watercourses, the proposal will be subjected to an Environment Sustainable Forest (Timber) Act 2004 and associated Effects Statement (EES) process under the Forest Management Plans. provisions of the Environment Effects Act 1978. The East Gippsland Timber Release Plan is For any given development proposal, both the scheduled for review in July 2007, while the East planning approvals and the EES process will Gippsland Forest Management Plan is due to normally include public consultation phases, commence a review process in the near future. through which concerns regarding possible For further information on public land forestry adverse impacts on fish habitat and fish stocks practices in the Lake Tyers catchment, refer to may be raised. VicForests located at Nowa Nowa. The Draft Lake Tyers Beach Urban Design The EGSC regulates forestry practices on private Framework outlines the strategic direction of land in accordance with the Planning and proposed residential developments and associated Environment Act 1987 and the Code of Forest management implications around the township of Practices for Timber Production. Lake Tyers Beach. The Framework’s objectives include minimising the impacts of residential Management of roads on public land development on the water quality of Lake Tyers, The DSE is responsible for the management of and protection and enhancement of the natural roads through state forests and other public land. resource values of the town (Meinhardt The maintenance and development of roads Infrastructure & Environment 2005). managed by the DSE is governed by a number of A number of strategies have been proposed to government plans, strategies and guidelines meet the objectives of the Draft Urban Design including Management Plans, Flora and Fauna Framework including: Management Guidelines, Gippsland Forest Management Prescriptions, Timber Harvesting • introduction of stormwater management Management Procedures and the Code of Forest measures in existing and new development Conduct. Parks Victoria manage all roads within areas to control sediment and nutrient the Lake Tyers Forest Park except for Lake Tyers deposition into Lake Tyers House road, which is managed by the EGSC. • modification of existing main drain outfall and Works associated with road maintenance and foreshore carpark in the township of Lake construction in State Forests is required to comply Tyers Beach with an Environment Management System (EMS) • ensuring new developments make provisions which supports sustainable State Forest for on-site stormwater management management. Significant environmental impacts • protecting high value remnant vegetation such as sediment flows are addressed as part of • incorporating vegetation buffers and corridors the EMS. in newly developed areas. VicRoads, in consultation with the EPA and the The Draft Lake Tyers Beach Urban Design DSE, is the responsible agency for the upgrading Framework is expected to be finalised soon. of major highways, including the Bruthen-Nowa Nowa Road. Silt fences and sediment traps have Aquatic pest plant and animal been used to minimise potential adverse impacts management from sediment and nutrient deposition into the The introduction of exotic organisms into Boggy Creek. Victorian marine waters has been listed as a ‘Potentially Threatening Process’ under the For further information on major road upgrades, provisions of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act road construction and or maintenance, please 1988 administered by the DSE. contact the relevant authority.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 18

Action Statements will be developed describing ‘Interim Victorian Protocol for Managing Exotic how these and other potentially threatening Marine Organism Incursions’, currently forms the processes are to be addressed in Victoria. Other basis for responding to introductions and listed potentially threatening processes of incursions of marine pests. relevance to estuaries such as Lake Tyers, can be There are no recorded marine pest incursions in found at www.dse.vic.gov.au. Marine pest Lake Tyers. emergency response arrangements, known as the

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 19 Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan

The overall purpose of the LTFRMP is to formalise The planning process management arrangements for the Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve in accordance with the Requirements of the Fisheries Act 1995 provisions of the Act, the Ministerial guidelines The Fisheries Act 1995 stipulates that a and the principles of ESD. management plan must be prepared for a fisheries reserve as soon as possible after the reserve has To this end, the LTFRMP specifies goals, been declared under section 88 of the Act. objectives, strategies and actions for management of fishing activities in the Lake Tyers Fisheries Each declared fisheries management plan must: Reserve. • define the fishery or fisheries to which it relates The LTFRMP also identifies processes for • be consistent with the objectives of the Act and, management of other non-fishing values and uses in the case of a fisheries reserve, be consistent of the estuary, and opportunities for fisheries with the Order in Council declaring the reserve stakeholders to participate in these processes to • specify objectives for management of the ensure identification and minimisation of potential fishery or fisheries covered by the plan adverse impacts on fish habitat and fisheries. • specify the management tools and any other The LTFRMP contains a section describing measures to be used to achieve the objectives of research and monitoring information needed to the plan address the identified management objectives and • specify performance indicators, targets and performance indicators, a section outlining a monitoring methods for the objectives and strategy for promoting compliance with fishing management actions stated in the management controls in the estuary, and a section describing plan implementation and review processes. • as far as is known, identify critical components of the ecosystem relevant to the management Duration of the LTFRMP plan, any current or potential threats to those The LTFRMP will provide the basis for the components, and existing or proposed management of fishing activities in Lake Tyers for measures to protect or maintain these a period of 10 years from the published date of this ecosystem services Plan unless established fishery monitoring and • as far as relevant and practicable, identify any assessment programs indicate a need for a review other biological, ecological, social and economic prior to that time. factors relevant to the fishery or fisheries covered by the plan – including: fishery trends Review of the LTFRMP and current status; the socio-economic benefits Review of the LTFRMP and preparation of a new of fishing and other human uses of the area or LTFRMP will commence 12 months prior to the resources in question; measures to minimise the scheduled expiry of the LTFRMP. The review will impact of fishing on non-target species and the examine all aspects of fisheries management environment; fisheries-related research needs against the defined objectives, performance and priorities; and an assessment of the indicators and reference points, and will examine resources required to implement the the need for new or amended objectives in light of management plan. monitoring and research information obtained. Should there be a need for the Minister to amend the LTFRMP prior to this review, notice of this intention will be published in the Government Gazette.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 20

The Act also indicates that each management plan Public consultation may: The first step in the preparation of the LTFRMP was to seek the views and comments of

• specify the duration of the management plan recreational fishers and other community interests • specify procedures and or conditions for review regarding the values and issues associated with of the plan fishing in Lake Tyers. • in the case of a fisheries reserve, specify guidelines regulating or restricting activities in A public meeting was held at Lake Tyers Beach in the reserve January 2006 to explore these values and issues. Members of the public and recreational fishers in the case of a fisheries reserve, specify terms • who were unable to attend this meeting were and conditions under which any special invited to submit their views and comments in activities in the reserve may be permitted writing by the end of January 2006. • include any other relevant matters. A total of 21 verbal and written submissions were Additional direction on the development of the received as a result of the initial consultation LTFRMP has been provided by the gazettal of process. Ministerial guidelines on 14 September 2005 (see Appendix 3). The information collected has guided the preparation of the LTFRMP to ensure it had a Requirements of the Native Title strong focus on addressing fishing-related issues Act 1993 that matter to both visiting and resident Native Title describes the interests and rights of recreational fishers and the local community. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Values and issues raised during the first round of land and waters according to their traditional laws public consultation included: and customs that are recognised under Australian Law (NNTT 2000). The LTFRMP is required by • Lake Tyers has long been a popular location for law to adhere to the requirements of the Native family recreational fishing activities Title Act 1993 as a part of the planning process • Lake Tyers is a place of spiritual significance which allows Native Title parties an opportunity for Traditional Owners to comment on the LTFRMP through a 28-day • Lake Tyers provides a good variety of fishing notification process. target species Advice on particular situations relating to East • Lake Tyers provides a relatively safe Gippsland (particularly Lake Tyers) is available environment for both boat- and shore-based through the Native Title Coordinator at the fishing Traralgon Office of the DSE. • Lake Tyers is highly regarded as a dusky flathead and black bream fishery. Other Steering committee identified target species included silver The LTFRMP was prepared by Fisheries Victoria, trevally, tailor, snapper, luderick, garfish and assisted by a Steering Committee consisting of an leatherjacket independent chair and representatives from • Lake Tyers is considered one of the better VRFish, the FCC, the EGSC, Parks Victoria, the bream fishing locations in the region EGCMA and the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust. The community also raised: The role of the Steering Committee was to advise the Executive Director, Fisheries Victoria, DPI, on • concerns about the adequacy of locally the preparation of the LTFRMP consistent with the available information on how and where to fish requirements of the Act and the Ministerial in Lake Tyers guidelines, and to assess public submissions from • concerns about the possible impacts of a variety community consultation on the draft LTFRMP. of habitat and environmental issues on fish The Steering Committee met five times to discuss production and fishing in Lake Tyers. Issues the results of the public consultation processes, raised included bank erosion, sediment and to provide advice and guidance throughout deposition from road and forestry operations, the preparation of the LTFRMP. artificial opening of the entrance, impacts of The list of members and Terms of Reference for the stormwater runoff on water quality, stock Steering Committee are provided in Appendix 4. access to the waters of the estuary around the ‘Limekiln’ area, foreshore vegetation removal, the impacts of litter, prolonged closure of the

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 21 estuary due to low rainfall, and dredging to Objectives deepen channels • Social – To maintain and, where possible, • issues regarding competition and conflict enhance recreational fishing opportunities in between recreational fishers and other water- Lake Tyers. based users of Lake Tyers • Biological – To conserve and ensure sustainable • considerations for the introduction of a use of key fish stocks in the estuary. seasonal closure of recreational fishing for • Environmental - To identify and promote black bream (upstream of Burnt Bridge) and protection of the habitats and environments dusky flathead to protect spawning stocks. that are essential for production or However, other submissions opposed any maintenance of key fish stocks in the estuary. closures to recreational fishing • Governance – To achieve maximum • proposals to collect information on the biology community participation, understanding and and movement of black bream and dusky support for the management of fishing flathead to inform fishery management activities in the Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve. decisions • concerns about the quality of access to Lake Strategies Tyers for both boat-based (particularly Mill More detailed accounts of the strategies, Point) and shore-based fishing management actions, performance indicators and • proposals to vary size, possession and or catch information needed to address each of these limits for target species including black bream, objectives are provided in the following sections dusky flathead and luderick. and are summarised in Table 2. A second round of public consultation calling for Some of the issues raised during the development comment and views on the Draft LTFRMP was of the LTFRMP cannot be directly dealt with in held in late 2006 for a period of sixty days. accordance with fisheries legislation. For these issues, the LTFRMP attempts to identify other Amendments to the LTFRMP were made as a processes whereby recreational fishing interests result of the seven submissions received. can ensure their concerns are addressed. Management goals and objectives Performance indicators are provided for actions The following broad goal and objectives apply to that Fisheries Victoria has direct responsibility for management of fishing activities in the Lake Tyers implementing. These indicators provide a means Fisheries Reserve. of tracking progress on an ongoing basis. Goal Performance indicators are not provided for To manage Lake Tyers fish stocks and the fisheries actions that other agencies are responsible for they support, and to identify and promote implementing. protection of important fish habitats in a manner that is sustainable and which provides optimum social and economic benefits to all Victorians in accordance with ESD principles.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 22

Recreational fishing opportunities

Strategy 1 – Monitor fishing values than 5% of survey respondents reported using artificial lures or preferences in Lake Tyers • approximately 96% of all daytime Lake Tyers Preliminary information obtained from verbal and recreational anglers were visitors to the area written submissions during the first phase of and accounted for 69% of total angler effort public consultation in January 2006 indicated that • there are substantial seasonal fluctuations in Lake Tyers is a preferred fishing location because recreational fishing effort in Lake Tyers, with it: peaks coinciding with holiday periods (school • provides a diversity of species or public holidays) • is one of the better bream fishing locations in • shore-based and boat-based fishers contributed the Lakes Entrance region equally to the estimated total fishing effort • provides a relatively safe environment for boat across the estuary as a whole, but shore-based and shore-based anglers fishing was much more popular in the Toorloo Arm and the Main Lake, while boat-based • provides good fishing and boating facilities; fishing dominated in the Nowa Nowa Arm • provides reasonable access for impaired or • the Toorloo Arm and Main Lake were subjected aged anglers to much higher fishing effort than the Nowa • provides an environment that is far less Nowa Arm, but the Nowa Nowa Arm modified than in many other Victorian provided a superior fishing success rate estuaries. • garfish and bream dominated recreational A 12-month survey of daytime recreational fishing catches in both the Toorloo and Nowa Nowa and other water-based uses in Lake Tyers in arms. 1984/85 found that black bream and river garfish Ongoing periodic surveys are needed to provide were the two most popular angling target species up to date information and to detect changes in the (Hall & MacDonald 1985). About 54% of anglers demographic profile of recreational fishers (e.g. surveyed cited black bream as their primary target proportion of visitors versus local residents) or in species, while 28% were mainly fishing for river the values or preferences individuals attach to garfish. Only 9% of anglers at the time indicated fishing in the estuary (e.g. preferred target species, that dusky flathead was their preferred target preferred fishing methods, locations and or species. Fewer than 5% of anglers surveyed season, and acceptable catch rates for a particular nominated any other species (e.g. snapper, species). This information is required in order to Australian salmon, trevally, luderick and tailor) as determine what fishers value or prefer in their a primary target species, while about 27% of recreational fishing experience and, therefore, anglers were not fishing for any species in what fisheries management actions may help to particular. maintain or enhance recreational fishing Recent anecdotal evidence, and feedback received opportunities. during the first round of public consultation in January 2006 for development of the LTFRMP, Information requirements indicates that targeting of dusky flathead has Surveys of representative samples of Lake Tyers increased substantially, and that dusky flathead recreational fishers are needed to provide and black bream have become the two most information on fishing values or preferences popular recreational species over the last five associated with fishing in the estuary. These years. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that the surveys need to be undertaken periodically to targeting of dusky flathead has increased partly as initially benchmark and then detect any changes in a result of the increased use of artificial lures, fishing values or preferences. particularly soft plastics. The most cost effective collection of such Further information on recreational fishing values information is likely to be through periodic or preferences in the mid 1980s (Hall & attitudinal surveys at fishing access points around MacDonald 1985) included: the estuary (for visiting and local non-club fishers) and through direct survey of local fishing club • prawns, sandworm and shrimp were the most members. popular baits used by bait fishing anglers. Less

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 23 Performance indicator enhanced if they had ready access to • Information on profile of recreational fishing information (through local tourism businesses collected from at least 200 anglers per survey. and local media) on where and how to Actions successfully fish the estuary poor access to congested boat ramps during • Fisheries Victoria to establish periodic surveys • of anglers to provide information on fishing peak times may lead to diminished fishing values or preferences. The first survey to be experiences. conducted within the first two years following Information requirements declaration of the LTFRMP, and a minimum of Surveys of representative samples of Lake Tyers one additional survey in the remaining life of recreational fishers are needed to provide the LTFRMP. information on levels of satisfaction associated • Fisheries Victoria, in consultation with with fishing in Lake Tyers. These surveys need to recreational fishing stakeholders, to evaluate be conducted periodically to initially benchmark possible fishery management actions to and then detect changes in levels of satisfaction maintain or enhance recreational fishing with fishing opportunities or experiences. opportunities based on the results of the survey. The most cost effective collection of such information is likely to be through periodic Strategy 2 – Maintain or enhance attitudinal surveys at fishing access points around Lake Tyers (for visiting and local non-club fishers) levels of satisfaction with fishing and through direct survey of local fishing club opportunities members. Once factors contributing to a satisfying Performance indicator recreational fishing experience in Lake Tyers are • A minimum of 60% of fishers satisfied with identified, there is a need to periodically monitor fishing opportunities. levels of satisfaction with fishing opportunities and experiences in the estuary. Actions This will involve surveys of recreational fishers to • Fisheries Victoria to establish periodic surveys provide information on the amounts and types of of anglers to provide information on levels of fish caught, satisfaction with the fishing rules and fishing satisfaction. Surveys may be linked to regulations that apply to Lake Tyers, and any non- and undertaken in conjunction with the fishing factors that may be affecting the quality of surveys identified in Strategies 1, 4 and 5. The recreational fishing experiences. first of these surveys to be conducted within the first two years following the declaration of Issues identified from the first phase of public the LTFRMP and a minimum of one in the consultation in January 2006 include: remaining life of the LTFRMP. • dusky flathead and black bream are now • Where information collected during periodic probably the two highest profile target fish angler surveys indicates support for a review of species in Lake Tyers, with other popular recreational fishery management arrangements species including silver trevally, snapper, in order to maintain or enhance fishing luderick, leatherjacket, tailor and river garfish opportunities and experiences, Fisheries • some individuals believe that the increased Victoria will evaluate possible fishery popularity of artificial lures - particularly soft management actions in consultation with plastics - has increased angling pressure on stakeholders. dusky flathead Strategy 3 – Identify and encourage • there is widespread support among responsible recreational fishing recreational fishers for the stricter dusky flathead catch limits introduced in 2003. behaviour However, some anglers believe that further Many regulations applying to recreational fishing protection of dusky flathead and bream from in Victorian waters have been introduced at the recreational fishing pressure is needed request of recreational fishers for ethical or • some boat launching points are thought to be cultural reasons, including concerns about possible inadequately maintained and thus detract from future stock conservation issues, rather than overall fishing experiences in Lake Tyers because of a scientifically identified need to protect • a number of submissions indicated that the fish stocks from excessive fishing pressure. A fishing experiences of visitors is likely to be number of daily bag and possession limits have

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 24

been introduced or amended to define a rights of others, attending fishing gear, being ‘reasonable’ daily take for personal use, and some aware of and complying with fishing restrictions, size limits have been introduced to define returning unwanted fish to the water, valuing fish minimum acceptable sizes of fish for human caught and passing on fishing and local consumption. Regulations introduced or amended knowledge to new fishers. for these reasons have, in nearly all cases, been The National Strategy for the Survival of Released applied uniformly to all Victorian waters. Line Caught Fish is an initiative of the Fisheries Preliminary information obtained from verbal and Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) in written submissions during the first phase of association with Recfish Australia and the public consultation on the development of the Australian National Sportsfishing Association LTFRMP indicated that many recreational fishers (ANSA). The main aim of this program is to were generally satisfied with existing controls on improve the survival rate of fish which have been recreational fishing in Lake Tyers. However, a caught by hook and line and released, by number of submissions called for changes to catch understanding the factors that contribute to release limits and or size limits for particular species, mortality and by identifying and promoting including dusky flathead, black bream and adoption of ‘best practices’ in handling released luderick, for ethical or cultural reasons. Such fish. Further information on the National Strategy reasons include concern about possible future for the Survival of Released Live Caught Fish can stock conservation issues, defining a ‘reasonable’ be obtained from www.info-fish.net/releasefish. number of fish to take for personal use, or defining the minimum size of a particular type of fish that Performance indicator is acceptable for eating purposes. • If new fishing regulations are introduced to define and encourage responsible recreational Victorian recreational fishing catch limits were fishing behaviour, they will reflect the revised in 2000 after a four year review process views/values of a majority of recreational that included extensive consultation with the fishers. Victorian Recreational Fishing peak body (VRFish) and several rounds of public comment on Actions proposed catch limits. Current bag and possession • VRFish to facilitate the distribution of the limits for bream (except in the Gippsland Lakes), Victorian Recreational Fishing Code of Conduct estuary perch, Australian salmon, flathead (other through appropriate metropolitan and regional than dusky flathead), King George whiting and outlets, including (where available) through sand worms were established on the basis of what Fishcare groups, agents who sell recreational the majority of Victorian recreational fishers fishing licences, fishing-dependent tourism considered to be reasonable, desirable or businesses and fishing clubs. acceptable. • Where information collected during periodic More recently, recreational fishers have made angler surveys (Strategies 1 & 2) or other public further requests for Statewide reviews of size or consultation processes indicates support for a catch limits for particular species. These requests review of recreational fishing controls, Fisheries will be considered in consultation with VRFish Victoria will consider this information in future and the recreational fishing community during a reviews of fishery management arrangements review process which was initiated in 2006. in consultation with stakeholders. Any changes made to recreational fishing controls for In light of this information, the LTFRMP will not cultural or ethical reasons may apply initially contain any changes to recreational catch specifically to Lake Tyers, but are more likely to or size limits that are proposed for ethical or apply Statewide. Review of fishing controls to cultural reasons. occur within twelve months following the collection of information indicating a need for a Recreational fishers have contributed to the review. identification of responsible fishing behaviour through the development of a Victorian • Information obtained from Lake Tyers Recreational Fishing Code of Conduct. This regarding dusky flathead catch and size limits document was released by VRFish in 2004 and to be considered in the recreational catch and provides guidance to recreational fishers on issues size limit review process initiated in 2006. such as protecting the environment, respecting the

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 25 Sustainable use of fish resources

The Lake Tyers recreational fishery is relatively influenced by environmental and or habitat factors small by comparison with other recreational and in the estuary that determine fluctuations in commercial fisheries under Victorian jurisdiction. spawning success, survival of young fish, and the The fishery is also complex, being characterised by abundance of successive year classes of fish. targeting of a variety of fish species using several Black bream populations in Lake Tyers and other different fishing methods, and by substantial Victorian estuaries are characterised by ‘episodic’ fluctuations in fish abundance that can be driven recruitment – that is, populations that consist of a as much by habitat and environment conditions as few ‘strong’ year classes resulting from years by the effects of fishing. when there is successful spawning and high Objectives, strategies and performance indicators survival rates, interspersed with a larger number for sustainable use of Lake Tyers fish resources of ‘average’ to ‘weak’ year classes resulting from will therefore need to be achievable and cost years of lower spawning success and or lower effective given limited resources for fishery survival rates (MacDonald 1997; Coutin et al. 1997; monitoring, assessment and management. Coutin 2000; Cashmore et al. 2000). When fish in strong year classes grow large enough to reach the Strategy 4 – Assess the status of legal minimum size (that is, to be ‘recruited’ to the dusky flathead and black bream fishery), fishery trends are characterised by an increase in catch rates and a decrease in the stocks and ensure sustainable average size of bream above the legal minimum fishing size. In small estuarine fisheries such as Lake Tyers Strong year classes, once recruited, will sustain where the resources available for fishery bream fisheries for a number of years thereafter. monitoring, assessment and management are However, if a strong year class is followed by a limited, more detailed investigations of stock number of consecutive years of average to weak status and the effects of fishing can only be year classes, then fishery trends will be justified for the one or two most important target characterised by a gradual decline in catch rates, species. but also possibly by an increase in the average size For each key species, collection of information on of bream above the legal minimum length. reproduction, growth, population structure and Regardless of the reasons for observed fluctuations recruitment patterns, together with fishery catch in year class abundance of bream, if patterns of and effort information, is essential to detect ‘strong’ and ‘weak’ year classes of pre-recruits fluctuations in abundance (whether driven by (fish that are not yet big enough to enter the environmental or fishing factors) and to decide fishery) can be monitored, then fishery trends can whether or not adjustments to fishery be predicted several years in advance. This will management arrangements are needed to ensure allow the development of ‘adaptive’ fishery continued sustainable use. management arrangements, whereby fishing Available data, recent anecdotal reports and restrictions are tightened to provide additional comments from the first round of public protection from fishing pressure when stocks are consultation indicate that dusky flathead and low due to persistent poor recruitment, and are black bream are now the two most important relaxed to allow fishers to take advantage of recreational target species in Lake Tyers. abundant stocks when one or stronger year classes Resources available for stock assessment and are recruited to the fishery. fishery management strategy evaluation in Lake Recreational fishing surveys Tyers will therefore initially be focussed on dusky The only systematic survey of recreational fishing flathead and black bream. catch and effort in Lake Tyers is from a roving Black bream creel survey of the estuary from July 1984 to June Black bream normally spend their entire life cycles 1985 (Hall & MacDonald 1985). in estuaries like Lake Tyers, and consequently, The retained bream catch rate from this survey their abundance is likely to be substantially was comparable with bream catch rates from

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 26

daytime recreational fishing surveys in other populations which would be distinguishable from Gippsland estuaries in the 1980s, but there are no the influence of fluctuating environmental factors. comparable recent data from Lake Tyers. Commercial bream and luderick catches indicated The size distribution of bream measured during substantial quantities of adults of both species the 1984/85 Lake Tyers recreational fishing survey were in the estuary. Significant quantities of pre- indicates a single size mode at 24 cm fork length recruit (undersize) bream in the estuary were also (about 28 cm total length). Larger, older fish found. (greater than 30 cm total length) constituted about Uncertainty regarding the status of black bream one third of the retained bream catch (the arises from an inability to sample small juvenile minimum size limit at the time was 24 cm total fish when relying on catches from commercial length), indicating a healthy population of fishing equipment. older/larger black bream in Lake Tyers. This type of size distribution is consistent with a fish The most recent assessment of Lake Tyers fisheries population that is not subject to excessive fishing was undertaken by stakeholder and Departmental pressure. representatives at a workshop in 2001 (DPI 2001a). This assessment updated commercial fishery Since the late 1990s, the size and age composition trends since 1993, and also analysed available and relative year class abundance of Lake Tyers size/age composition data for black bream. black bream stocks have been monitored by a small number of anglers who have volunteered to The commercial fishery data indicated a decline in keep detailed log book or diary records of their both fishing effort and bream catches in the late bream fishing activities and catches, and who 1990s. Bream catch rates were also down provide biological samples to PIRVic scientists for compared with the mid 1990s, but similar to the analysis. Log book data from this program, long-term average. Commercial effort, catches and together with visual observations of the angler catch rates improved markedly again in 2001 and diarists, indicate that relatively strong year classes 2002. of pre-recruit (undersize) bream have been Monitoring of commercial catches (particularly observed on several occasions in Lake Tyers since haul seine catches) from 1994 to 2001 indicated a the log book program commenced. substantial proportion of larger older bream in the Formal fishery assessments Lake Tyers population, and the presence of several Formal assessments of fisheries in Lake Tyers have reasonably strong year-classes of pre-recruits. been conducted in 1984, 1994 and 2001 (Hall 1984; Given the available evidence and the closure of MacDonald 1997; DPI 2001a). commercial fishing in 2003, the LTFRMP will not Hall (1984) described the history of the Lake Tyers initially contain any changes to existing fishery commercial fishery and summarised available management arrangements for black bream. commercial catch/effort data up to 1983. On the Some anglers have raised concerns that the bream available data, Hall (1984) found no evidence to stocks in Lake Tyers are depleted and have suggest that existing levels of fishing pressure proposed that bream be given extra protection by were unsustainable. Annual catches of bream were closing waters upstream of Burnt Bridge on the variable and reflected both fluctuations in fishing Toorloo Arm to recreational bream fishing during effort and fluctuations in abundance. the bream spawning season. MacDonald (1997) assessed the status of Lake While these genuine concerns for the well being of Tyers fish stocks in 1994 based on commercial valuable fisheries resources are acknowledged and fishery catch/effort data from 1964 to 1993, respected, introduction of a bream fishing closed recreational fishing catch/effort data from 1984/85, season in Lake Tyers is not currently being and determination of the size and age composition considered for the following reasons: of bream and luderick from commercial catches during the first week of the 1994 commercial • available scientific evidence collected in recent fishing season. years does not suggest any significant decline in bream abundance, nor any persistent poor The 1994 assessment found that for all species recruitment other than bream and luderick, the combined • the 1994 and 2001 Lake Tyers fisheries commercial and recreational catches in Lake Tyers assessments found that levels of commercial were probably too small to have an impact on fish and recreational fishing pressure existing at the

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 27 time posed no immediate threat to the development of the LTFRMP, suggests that in sustainability of fish stocks recent years, there has been a substantial increase • fishing pressure in Lake Tyers has been in recreational targeting of dusky flathead in Lake reduced by the removal of commercial fishing Tyers and other Gippsland estuaries – particularly in 2003 by anglers using more sophisticated fishing • even if additional protection of black bream equipment including soft plastic lures, and special stocks from fishing pressure was needed, it is purpose boats and motors. not clear that closing only part of the estuary to In response to these concerns, stricter dusky bream fishing for part of the year would be the flathead catch limits have been introduced by a most appropriate fishery management tool for Fisheries Notice as a precautionary measure until providing such protection. Other management the impacts of recreational fishing on dusky measures including changes to catch and or flathead stocks are better understood. There is a size limits would also need to be evaluated clear need to better understand the population against the principles of ESD. structure and recruitment patterns of dusky Dusky flathead flathead in Lake Tyers, and to evaluate the effectiveness of current fishery management Little is known about the biology, population arrangements in achieving sustainable use of this structure or recreational fishery trends for dusky species. flathead in Lake Tyers. Elsewhere in eastern Australian waters, dusky Performance indicators flathead are found primarily in estuaries, although • Establishment of cost effective scientific they do also occur in near-shore marine waters, programs in Lake Tyers to monitor recreational and some adult fish are known to migrate fishery trends and determine patterns of substantial distances up or down the coastline recruitment of black bream and dusky flathead (Gray et al. 2002, 2004). Therefore, the abundance to the fisheries. and population structure of dusky flathead in • Development and implementation of agreed estuaries like Lake Tyers is likely to be recruitment-related reference points that trigger substantially influenced by environmental and or review and adjustment of ‘adaptive’ fishery habitat factors in the estuary that determine management arrangements to ensure continued fluctuations in spawning success, survival of sustainability. young fish, and movement of fish in and out of the estuary. Information requirements In order to monitor recruitment patterns, there is a Commercial fishery records indicate that dusky need to establish ongoing and or periodic flathead was a minor and mostly incidental sampling programs for dusky flathead and black component of Lake Tyers commercial catches bream populations in Lake Tyers. Information (Table 1). obtained from these sampling programs will provide a time series of data on catch rate and Dusky flathead was only a minor recreational size/age composition and, thus, on the relative target species in the 1980s. In 1984/85, fewer than abundance of successive year classes. Information 10% of anglers were specifically targeting dusky is required for pre-recruit fish (smaller than the flathead, and flathead catches were smaller than legal size) as well as recruited fish to provide a those for black bream, river garfish and yellow-eye capacity to predict changes in fishery conditions mullet (Hall & MacDonald 1985). and to plan appropriate management responses. Anecdotal evidence from recreational anglers Possible suitable methods to collect the data during the first phase of public consultation for the required include periodic creel surveys, ongoing preparation of the LTFRMP indicates that in early research angler and or general angler diary 2006, the dominant size range for dusky flathead programs, and fishery-independent scientific caught by anglers had been between 30 cm and 50 surveys of black bream and dusky flathead in Lake cm. Several submissions also expressed concern Tyers. that the proportion of larger dusky flathead (greater than 50 cm) in Lake Tyers recreational Actions catches has declined in recent years. • Fisheries Victoria to obtain recreational fishery Observations from recreational fishers, the DPI catch and effort data, and size and age Regional Fisheries staff and information from the composition data for black bream and dusky first round of public consultation for the flathead from periodic creel surveys of Lake

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 28

Tyers. The first of these surveys, subject to Performance indicators funding, is to be conducted within the first two • Establishment of a cost effective recreational years following the declaration of the LTFRMP fishing data collection program in Lake Tyers and a minimum of one additional survey in the to determine species composition of catches remaining life of the LTFRMP. and allow ongoing assessment of fishery • Fisheries Victoria to maintain or expand the trends. black bream and dusky flathead general angler • Maintenance of commercial bait catch and diary program in Lake Tyers. effort data collection. • Fisheries Victoria to maintain or expand the Information requirements black bream research angler diary program in Periodic creel surveys of recreational fishers are Lake Tyers, and to investigate the feasibility of required to obtain information to assist in the recruiting research anglers to provide continual review of target species. information on the abundance of both pre- recruit and adult dusky flathead in Lake Tyers. Catches of minor recreational target species and • Where information collected during creel collection/use of bait by anglers will be monitored surveys or angler diary programs indicates a as part of the periodic angler survey program need to review recreational fishery identified in Strategies 1, 2 & 4. management arrangements in order to ensure Catches of bait species by commercial bait licence the impacts of fishing are sustainable, Fisheries holders will be monitored through the DPI’s Victoria will evaluate possible fishery ongoing commercial fishery catch/effort management actions in consultation with monitoring program. stakeholders. If information collected from these three sources Strategy 5 – Monitor catch indicates a significant change in catches of any composition and trends for other minor species, or a shift in preferred target species, then a closer investigation of the change in trend fishery species and or review of fisheries management More than 25 species of scale fish, molluscs and arrangements may be warranted. crustaceans have been recorded from recreational and commercial catches in Lake Tyers (Hall 1984; Actions Hall & MacDonald 1985; MacDonald 1997). While • Fisheries Victoria, through recreational creel most of these species were caught rarely or surveys and or general angler diary programs occasionally as by-catch during fishing activities (Strategies 1, 2 & 4), to provide information on aimed at other species, a few were or are catch composition and catch and effort trends. secondary target species. While dusky flathead The first creel survey to be conducted within and black bream are now the primary recreational the first two years following the declaration of fishing target species, smaller numbers of fishers the LTFRMP and a minimum of one survey in also target trevally, six-spined leatherjackets, the remaining life of the LTFRMP. snapper, tailor, luderick and Australian salmon in • Fisheries Victoria to continue monitoring of the estuary. Small quantities of shrimp and small commercial bait catches in Lake Tyers via the live mullet are also caught in the estuary – either existing commercial fishery catch/effort by commercial bait licence holders or by monitoring program. recreational fishers themselves. • If information from these monitoring programs indicates changing fishery trends, Fisheries Victoria, in conjunction with stakeholders, to assess the need for further investigation and or to review the adequacy of existing fishery management arrangements.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 29 Maintenance of fish habitat

There is increasing evidence worldwide that the key marine and estuarine fish habitats as an input sustainable use of any fishery resource is to the development or review of fishery dependent not only on controlling the impacts of management arrangements. This process involves fishing on fish stocks, but also on maintaining the the participation of stakeholder representatives, integrity of the aquatic habitats and the ecological scientists and fishery managers in fish habitat processes they support that are crucial for the assessment workshops, and the publication of production and or survival of target fish species. workshop findings in the Fisheries Victoria Inshore marine, estuarine and inland waters are Assessment Series. facing increasing pressures from human A Lake Tyers Fish Habitat Assessment workshop population growth and associated agricultural, was held in March 2001 (DPI 2001b). The industrial, urban and tourism development. workshop identified habitat types in the estuary Effective management of fisheries includes which may be important to known key identification and advocacy of management recreational target species including pelagic actions needed to protect and, where possible, (water), seagrass, solid (rock or gravel) bottom, enhance ecosystems that support production of snags, seaweed (algae) beds, unvegetated soft fishery resources. To do this it is necessary to sediments and fringing vegetation (i.e. reeds). know: Identified potential threats to fish habitat included: increasing erosion and sediment deposition from • the type, location and extent of habitat and catchment activities (including forestry); decreased environmental conditions that are important water flow and flushing from a combination of for production and or survival of key target fish low rainfall, water extraction and long closures of species within an estuary Lake Tyers to Bass Strait; and deteriorating water • the links between particular habitat and quality (including low dissolved oxygen levels in environmental conditions, and production and deeper waters) due to increased nutrient, sediment survival of stocks of key target species and contaminant loads from catchment sources • the current status and historical trends in the and from urban and tourism development in and condition of these key fish habitats around the estuary. • the main threats (whether from fishing or non- A general lack of knowledge of critical fish fishing human activities) to the integrity of each habitats and potential threats to these habitats, and key fish habitat. hydrocarbon contamination from boats and boat Direct management action can be taken under propeller damage to seagrasses were also of fisheries legislation to minimise or eliminate any concern to workshop participants. identified threat to fish habitat from fishing In a Lake Tyers Fish Habitat in January 2006, activities. For management agencies to take actions workshop participants agreed that, from a to ameliorate impacts or threats to fish habitats fisheries perspective, it was important to identify from non-fishing activities (for example excessive critical habitat and environment requirements for nutrient and sediment inputs, foreshore the key recreational fishery target species (in development) will require specific knowledge of particular, dusky flathead) and focus on trying to the catchment activities, links to habitat change maintain the integrity of these key habitats in and the extent of the impacts on fish habitats and order to maximise fisheries benefits. production of fisheries resources, and thus the reduction in associated fishery values. Strategy 6 – Identify important Fisheries interests are provided for during the habitat requirements for key development and review of catchment and waterway management strategies. fishery species There is limited information about the specific Fish habitat assessments habitat associations or dependencies of key species In 1995, Fisheries Victoria established a formal in Lake Tyers. Therefore, the identity and status of Fish Habitat Assessment process to provide key fish habitats and management actions needed scientific information on the location and status of to protect these habitats, remain unclear.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 30

Information on the habitats in the estuary being Actions used by, or are indirectly supporting, various life • Fisheries Victoria to review literature regarding history stages of the key target fish species is habitat and environmental conditions required required. to sustain the production (spawning, The two main recreational target species in Lake recruitment, survival, growth and movement) Tyers are dusky flathead and black bream. Both of of dusky flathead and black bream. these species are essentially estuarine residents • Fisheries Victoria to seek partnership funding and as a consequence, their abundance is likely to to investigate the diet and, therefore, the be strongly influenced by habitat and ecological habitat dependencies of dusky environmental conditions within the estuary. flathead. Subject to funding, the one-off study to commence within two years of the Work undertaken to determine the habitat and declaration of the LTFRMP. environmental requirements of black bream in the Gippsland Lakes, may be applicable to other Strategy 7 – Work with other estuaries like Lake Tyers. However, sparse information exists regarding the habitat and agencies to promote protection of environmental conditions required to sustain important fish habitats dusky flathead populations. The habitat requirements of key fisheries target Work to identify which habitats in Mallacoota Inlet species such as dusky flathead can be provided to (i.e. seagrass/algal beds, unvegetated bottoms, other agencies which have responsibility for hard bottom areas) in which dusky flathead are management of non-fisheries impacts to encourage found is proposed in the Mallacoota Inlet Fisheries greater protection for essential fish habitat, Reserve Management Plan (DPI 2006b). maintaining or enhancing fisheries outcomes. Information obtained from this investigation is Effects of catchment activities likely to be applicable to dusky flathead in Lake Known or potential effects of catchment activities Tyers. on fish habitat and fish stocks in Lake Tyers are There is also a need for information on the indirect described in the ‘Current Management ecological habitat dependencies of both adult and Arrangements’ section of the LTFRMP, together juvenile dusky flathead including which habitats with catchment and waterway management support production of the food on which dusky responsibilities and relevant strategic documents. flathead rely. It is proposed that this type of work be done in Lake Tyers to complement the work on Performance indicator physical habitat associations done in Mallacoota • Information on fishery values and habitat Inlet. requirements of key target species in Lake Tyers are provided to the EGCMA and other Performance indicator agencies. • The collection of information on dusky flathead diet, and the sources of diet items in Lake Tyers Actions to allow identification of indirect ecological • Fisheries Victoria to provide available habitat dependencies for dusky flathead. information and advice on fisheries values and important fish habitats during the development Information requirements and review of the East Gippsland Regional Literature review on known and or suggested Catchment Strategy, the Regional River Health fish/habitat associations of dusky flathead. Strategy, the Regional Forest Plan and any future planning for the Lake Tyers Forest Park. Information on capture locations and diet of adult • VRFish, on behalf of recreational fishers and dusky flathead from recreational fishery with assistance from Fisheries Victoria, to monitoring and catch sampling programs. develop partnership arrangements with the Identification of habitats and environmental EGCMA, Parks Victoria and VicForests to conditions that support production of dusky ensure that potential adverse impacts of flathead diet items. catchment, land and waterway use activities on Seasonal survey of diets of adult and juvenile fish habitat and fisheries in Lake Tyers are dusky flathead in Lake Tyers to identify critical adequately considered in the development of ecological habitat dependencies. programs in support of these two strategies. • Where appropriate, Fisheries Victoria to provide policy and technical advice to the EGCMA and other agencies (including VicForests and Parks

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 31 Victoria) to assist them to identify and develop • Fisheries Victoria to work with relevant priority projects and programs to ameliorate or management authorities and VRFish to ensure prevent adverse impacts of catchment, land and that fisheries interests are properly considered waterway use activities on fish habitats and in any decision regarding any artificial entrance fisheries in Lake Tyers. openings. Effects of boating and other water-based Effects of foreshore development recreational uses Known or potential effects of foreshore Known or potential impacts of boating and other development on fish habitat and fish stocks in water-based used on fish habitat in Lake Tyers Lake Tyers, together with the relevant include bank erosion from boat wakes, propeller management and strategic documents to address or hull damage to intertidal seagrass beds or such issues, are described in the ‘Current mudflats from boating in very shallow waters, Management Arrangements’ section of the inappropriate waste and litter disposal, removal of LTFRMP. woody debris, and hydrocarbon pollution. Individuals wishing to participate in approvals Responsibilities for management of boating in processes for development projects should contact Lake Tyers (Gippsland Ports, Marine Safety the EGSC (if the proposal is subject to local Victoria, the EGSC and Victorian Police) and government approvals), or the DSE (if the protection of waterways from boating impacts (the proposal is subject to State Government EGCMA, the DSE, the EGSC) are described in the approvals), or follow advertised public ‘Current Management Arrangements’ section of consultation procedures. the LTFRMP, together with relevant strategic Action documents. • VRFish, with assistance from Fisheries Victoria, Action to work with relevant authorities to ensure that • VRFish, with support from Fisheries Victoria concerns regarding potential adverse impacts and other water-based recreational user of any proposed foreshore urban developments groups, to engage relevant waterway on fish habitat and fisheries in Lake Tyers are authorities to ensure that adequate boating identified and properly assessed during any navigational facilities are provided in Lake environmental impact assessment processes. Tyers, and that any potential adverse impacts Effects of dredging of boating on fish habitat and fisheries in the The known or potential impacts of dredging on estuary are identified and minimised. fish habitat in Lake Tyers, together with the Artificial entrance openings decision making framework and relevant Artificial openings of estuary entrances to mitigate management and guideline documents have been threats to infrastructure can affect the availability described in the ‘Current Management of suitable habitat and water for key fisheries Arrangements’ section in the LTFRMP. species in the estuary. Individuals or groups wanting to participate in the The development of a consultative Estuary approval process (including Coastal Management Entrances Management Support System process to Act Consent processes) for dredging projects assist in making balanced decisions on artificial should contact the relevant responsible authority entrance opening for Victorian estuaries is (the DSE, the EPA). described in the ‘Current Management Actions Arrangements’ section of the LTFRMP, together • Fisheries Victoria to seek formal recognition as with a list of the relevant responsible management a referral agency for proposals seeking to authorities. Persons or groups seeking more dredge areas in Lake Tyers within two years of information on the decision making process the declaration of the LTFRMP. should contact the appropriate authorities. • Fisheries Victoria to work with relevant Actions management authorities and VRFish to ensure • Fisheries Victoria to seek formal recognition as that fisheries interests are properly considered a referral agency for proposals seeking to in any decision making framework for artificially open any of Victoria’s estuary dredging activities at a local level. entrances. Referral agency status to be sought within twelve months of the declaration of the LTFRMP.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 32

Issues affecting recreational fishing opportunities

Strategy 8 – Work with other ensure that fishing activities are not unnecessarily constrained, should contact the appropriate agencies to maintain or improve authority. fishing access, facilities and Action opportunities • VRFish, on behalf of recreational fishers, to work Boat-based fishing access and facilities with relevant foreshore and waterway Responsibilities for the maintenance and provision management authorities to ensure that fisheries of boat launching facilities and associated jetties (the interests are properly considered in the EGSC, local Committee of Management and Parks development or review of any management Victoria) and navigational aids (Gippsland Ports) in arrangements designed to accommodate multiple Lake Tyers are described in the ‘Current water-based and shore-based activities in Lake Management Arrangements’ section of the LTFRMP, Tyers. together with the relevant strategic management Foreshore fishing access and facilities documents and planning processes. Persons or Access to the foreshores of Lake Tyers for shore- groups seeking more information on boating based fishing is described in the ‘Current facilities program, or who wish to propose Management Arrangements’ section of the LTFRMP, improvements to boating or navigational aids within together with relevant strategic management Lake Tyers, should contact the appropriate authority documents and processes for managing shore-based for further advice. fishing facilities. Actions Individuals or groups seeking clarification on public • VRFish, representing recreational interests, to access to specific parts of Lake Tyers for shore-based work with relevant authorities and recreational fishing should contact the relevant foreshore user groups in the development or review of manager (the EGSC, Parks Victoria, the DSE). planning documents, to ensure recreational Individuals or groups who wish to propose fishing needs are considered. improvements to shore-based fishing facilities (e.g. • Subject to planning approvals, management fishing platforms), should contact the relevant plans, strategies and policies, VRFish, and other management authority for advice with regard to water-craft based recreational user groups, to planning process, approvals and or assistance. identify needs and seek funding to maintain or enhance access and facilities for boat-based Action recreational fishing in Lake Tyers. • VRFish, on behalf of recreational fishers, to work with relevant foreshore and waterway Management of multiple water-based and management authorities to resolve shore-based foreshore uses of Lake Tyers fishing access issues and to seek funding to Lake Tyers is a popular location for a variety of maintain or enhance shore-based fishing access water-based activities including fishing, water- facilities where appropriate. skiing, kite-surfing and personal water-craft use, particularly during peak periods. Congestion and Provision of local fishing information conflict over multiple use should be avoided. During the first round of public consultation, concerns were raised about the adequacy of Responsibilities for management of foreshores (local information available on local fishing opportunities. government, Parks Victoria or the DSE), and water- craft activities (Gippsland Ports, Marine Safety There is a substantial amount of information on Victoria, the Victorian Water Police), are described in recreational fishing opportunities for East Gippsland the ‘Current Management Arrangements’ section of including Lake Tyers already available in published the LTFRMP, together with relevant strategic recreational fishing literature. documents and detailed proposals for management Provision of this information could be further of competing uses in some areas. enhanced through local tourism bodies and specific Individuals or groups seeking more information on commercial outlets. foreshore or water-based management, or wish to participate in management review processes to

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 33 Table 2: Summary of objectives, strategies and actions for management of the Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve. Summary of information Objective Strategy Performance indicator Actions Schedule Responsibility requirements Social – to 1. Monitor Periodic surveys of anglers Information on profile Fisheries Victoria to establish The first survey to Fisheries maintain, and fishing values to provide up to date of recreational fishing periodic surveys of anglers to be conducted within Victoria where possible, or preferences information on fishing collected from at least provide information on the first two years enhance in Lake Tyers. values or preferences. 200 anglers per survey. fishing values or preferences. following recreational declaration of the fishing LTFRMP, and a opportunities minimum of one in Lake Tyers. additional survey in the remaining life of the LTFRMP. Fisheries Victoria, in Fisheries consultation with recreational Victoria fishing stakeholders, to evaluate possible fishery management actions to maintain or enhance recreational fishing opportunities based on the results of the survey. 2. Maintain or Periodic surveys of anglers A minimum of 60% of Fisheries Victoria to establish The first survey to Fisheries enhance levels to provide up to date fishers satisfied with periodic surveys of anglers to be conducted within Victoria of satisfaction information on levels of fishing opportunities. provide information on levels the first two years with fishing fishing satisfaction. of fishing satisfaction. following the opportunities. declaration of the LTFRMP, and a minimum of one additional survey in the remaining life of the LTFRMP.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 34

Summary of information Objective Strategy Performance indicator Actions Schedule Responsibility requirements Where information collected Fisheries during periodic angler Victoria surveys indicates support for a review of recreational fishery management arrangements in order to maintain or enhance fishing opportunities and experiences, Fisheries Victoria will evaluate possible fishery management actions in consultation with stakeholders. 3. Identify and VRFish to facilitate the VRFish encourage distribution of the Victorian responsible Recreational Code of Conduct fishing through appropriate behaviour. metropolitan and regional outlets, including (where available) through Fishcare groups, agents who sell recreational fishing licences, fishing-dependent tourism businesses and fishing clubs.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 35 Summary of information Objective Strategy Performance indicator Actions Schedule Responsibility requirements If new fishing Where information collected Review of fishing Fisheries regulations are during periodic angler controls to occur Victoria introduced to define surveys (Strategies 1 &2) or within twelve and encourage other public consultation months following responsible recreational processes indicates support the collection of fishing behaviour, they for a review of recreational information will reflect the fishing controls, Fisheries indicating a need for views/values of a Victoria will consider this a review. majority of recreational information in future reviews fishers. of fishery management arrangements in consultation with stakeholders. Any changes made to recreational fishing controls for cultural or ethical reasons may apply specifically to Lake Tyers, but are more likely to apply Statewide. Information obtained from To be considered in Fisheries Lake Tyers regarding dusky broader catch/size Victoria flathead catch and size limits limit review to be considered in the scheduled for 2006. recreational catch and size limit review process initiated in 2006. Biological – to 4. Assess the Time series of information Establishment of cost Fisheries Victoria to obtain Periodic angler creel Fisheries conserve and status of dusky on catch/effort trends, effective scientific recreational fishery catch and survey – subject to Victoria ensure flathead and size/age structure and year programs in Lake Tyers effort data and size and age funding, first survey sustainable use black bream class strength for black to monitor recreational composition data for black to be conducted of key fish stocks and bream and dusky flathead. fishery trends and bream and dusky flathead within two years stocks in the ensure determine patterns of from periodic creel surveys of following the estuary. sustainable recruitment of black Lake Tyers. declaration of the fishing. bream and dusky LTFMP and a flathead to the fisheries minimum of one additional survey in the remaining life of the LTFRMP.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 36

Summary of information Objective Strategy Performance indicator Actions Schedule Responsibility requirements Fisheries Victoria to maintain General angler diary Fisheries or expand the black bream programs – ongoing Victoria and dusky flathead general subject to funding. angler diary program in Lake Tyers. Fisheries Victoria to maintain Research angler Fisheries or expand the black bream diary programs, Victoria research angler diary program ongoing subject to in Lake Tyers, and to funding. investigate the feasibility of recruiting research anglers to provide information on the abundance of both pre-recruit and adult dusky flathead in Lake Tyers Development and Where information collected Fisheries implementation of during creel surveys or angler Victoria agreed recruitment- diary programs indicates a related reference points need to review recreational that trigger review and fishery management adjustment of arrangements in order to ‘adaptive’ fishery ensure the impacts of fishing management are sustainable, Fisheries arrangements to ensure Victoria will evaluate possible continued fishery management actions in sustainability. consultation with stakeholders

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 37 Summary of information Objective Strategy Performance indicator Actions Schedule Responsibility requirements 5. Monitor catch Time series of recreational Establishment of a cost Fisheries Victoria, through Periodic angler creel Fisheries composition fishery catch and effort effective recreational recreational creel surveys and surveys – subject to Victoria and trends for data from periodic angler fishing data collection or general angler diary funding, the first other fishery creel surveys, and or the program in Lake Tyers programs to provide creel survey to be species. general angler diary to determine species information on catch conducted within program. composition of catches composition and catch and the first two years and allow ongoing effort trends. following the assessment of fishery declaration of the trends. LTFRMP and a minimum of one survey in the remaining life of the LTFRMP. General angler diary Fisheries program – ongoing Victoria subject to funding Time series of commercial Maintenance of Fisheries Victoria to continue Commercial bait Fisheries bait fishing catch and effort commercial bait catch monitoring of commercial bait catch/effort Victoria from existing commercial and effort data catches in Lake Tyers via the monitoring program catch/effort monitoring. collection. existing commercial fishery – ongoing catch/effort monitoring program. If information from these Fisheries monitoring programs Victoria indicates changing fishery trends, Fisheries Victoria, in conjunction with stakeholders, to assess the need for further investigation and or to review the adequacy of existing fishery management arrangements

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 38

Summary of information Objective Strategy Performance indicator Actions Schedule Responsibility requirements Environmental 6. Identify Literature review on The collection of Fisheries Victoria to review Fisheries – to identify important known and or suggested information on dusky literature regarding habitat Victoria and promote habitat fish/habitat associations of flathead diet, and the and environmental conditions protection of requirements dusky flathead. sources of diet items, in required to sustain the the habitats for key fishery Lake Tyers to allow production (spawning, Information on capture and species. identification of indirect recruitment, survival, growth locations and diet of adult environments ecological habitat and movement) of dusky dusky flathead from which are dependencies for dusky flathead and black bream. recreational fishery essential for flathead. monitoring and catch production or sampling programs. maintenance of Identification of habitats key fish stocks and environmental in the estuary. conditions that support production of dusky flathead diet items. Seasonal survey of diets of Fisheries Victoria to seek Subject to funding, Fisheries adult and juvenile dusky partnership funding to one off study to Victoria flathead in Lake Tyers to investigate the diet and commence within identify critical ecological therefore, the ecological two years of the habitat dependencies. habitat dependencies of dusky declaration of the flathead. LTFRMP. 7. Work with Information on fishery Fisheries Victoria to provide Advice on important Fisheries other agencies values and habitat available information and fish habitats in to promote requirements of key advice on fisheries values and Tyers provided protection of target species in Lake important fish habitats during within six months of important fish Tyers are provided to the development and review completion of fish habitats. EGCMA and other of the East Gippsland habitats and dietary agencies. Regional Catchment Strategy, requirements Regional River Health project. Strategy, the Regional Forest Plan and any future planning for the Lake Tyers Forest Park.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 39 Summary of information Objective Strategy Performance indicator Actions Schedule Responsibility requirements VRFish, on behalf of VRFish recreational fishers and with assistance from Fisheries Victoria, to develop partnership arrangements with the EGCMA, Parks Victoria and VicForests to ensure that potential adverse impacts of catchment, land and waterway use activities on fish habitat and fisheries in Lake Tyers are adequately considered in the development of programs in support of these two strategies. Information and advice Where appropriate, Fisheries Advice provided as Fisheries provided to the East Victoria to provide policy and required. Victoria Gippsland Catchment technical advice to EGCMA Management Authority and other agencies (including and other agencies. VicForests and Parks Victoria) to assist them to identify and develop priority projects and programs to ameliorate or prevent adverse impacts of catchment, land and waterway use activities on fish habitats and fisheries in Lake Tyers.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 40

Summary of information Objective Strategy Performance indicator Actions Schedule Responsibility requirements VRFish, with support from VRFish Fisheries Victoria and other water-based recreational user groups, to engage relevant waterway authorities to ensure that adequate boating navigational facilities are provided in Lake Tyers, and that any potential adverse impacts of boating on fish habitat and fisheries in the estuary are identified and minimised. Fisheries Victoria to seek Referral agency Fisheries formal recognition as a status to be sought Victoria referral agency for proposals within twelve seeking to artificially open months of the estuary entrances. declaration of the LTFRMP. Fisheries Victoria to work Fisheries with relevant management Victoria and authorities and VRFish to VRFish ensure that fisheries interests are properly considered in any decision regarding any artificial entrance openings.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 41 Summary of information Objective Strategy Performance indicator Actions Schedule Responsibility requirements VRFish, with assistance from VRFish Fisheries Victoria, to work with relevant approvals authorities to ensure that concerns regarding potential adverse impacts of any proposed foreshore urban developments on fish habitat and fisheries in Lake Tyers are identified and properly assessed during any environmental impact assessment processes. Fisheries Victoria to seek Within two years of Fisheries formal recognition as a the declaration of Victoria referral agency for proposals the LTFRMP. seeking to dredge areas in Lake Tyers. Fisheries Victoria to work Fisheries with relevant management Victoria and authorities and VRFish to VRFish ensure that fisheries interests are properly considered in any decision making framework for dredging activities at a local level. Social – to 8. Work with VRFish, representing VRFish maintain, and other agencies recreational interests, to work where possible, to maintain or with relevant authorities and enhance improve fishing recreational user groups in the recreational access, facilities development or review of fishing and planning documents, to opportunities opportunities. ensure recreational fishing in Lake Tyers. needs are considered.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 42

Summary of information Objective Strategy Performance indicator Actions Schedule Responsibility requirements Subject to planning approvals, VRFish management plans, strategies and policies, VRFish, and other water-craft based recreational user groups, to identify needs and seek funding to maintain or enhance access and facilities for boat-based recreational fishing in Lake Tyers. VRFish, on behalf of VRFish recreational fishers, to work with relevant foreshore and waterway management authorities to ensure that fisheries interests are properly considered in the development or review of any management arrangements designed to accommodate multiple water-based and shore-based activities in Lake Tyers. VRFish, on behalf of VRFish recreational fishers, to work with relevant foreshore and waterway management authorities to resolve shore- based fishing access issues and to seek funding to maintain or enhance shore- based fishing access facilities where appropriate.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 43 Research and monitoring

Information provided from research and Fisheries and fish stocks monitoring programs is an essential component of The following information was identified as effective management of all fisheries. necessary to address Strategies 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the Management of Victoria’s larger bays and inlet LTFRMP. fisheries is underpinned by targeted research Periodic surveys of representative samples of projects and ongoing or periodic monitoring of • Lake Tyers recreational fishers to provide fishing activities to provide information on fishery information on values or preferences associated trends, the status of key target fish stocks, habitats with fishing in Lake Tyers and on levels of and environmental conditions important for the satisfaction with fishing opportunities. The maintenance of fisheries resources, evaluation of most effective collection of such information is the effectiveness of new or altered fishery likely to be through periodic attitudinal management measures, community values surveys at fishing access points around Lake associated with fish resources, and levels of Tyers (for visiting and local non-club fishers) satisfaction with existing fishery management and through direct survey of local fishing clubs. arrangements. • Ongoing or periodic sampling of the size and Planning and priorities age structure of the black bream and dusky There has been some monitoring of both flathead population in Lake Tyers to provide a recreational and commercial fishing catches in time series of information on the relative Lake Tyers, including a long time series of abundance of successive year classes. commercial catch records from 1916 to 2003, a Information is needed for pre-recruit fish survey of recreational fishing between July 1984 (smaller than the legal size) as well as recruited and June 1985 and details of fishing activities fish to provide a capacity to predict changes in recorded by research anglers since the late 1990s. fishery conditions and plan appropriate management responses. Options for collection The most important information requirements to of such information include sampling of dusky facilitate effective fishery management in Lake flathead and black bream catches during creel Tyers are: surveys, and recruitment of skilled dusky • monitor fishery trends in the estuary flathead and black bream anglers to provide detailed information on both legal size and maintain and expand existing programs in • undersized fish through general and ‘research’ conjunction with recreational fishers to enable angler diary programs. ongoing monitoring of the status of key

recreational species • Ongoing or periodic surveys of recreational fishing activities in Lake Tyers to provide time identify habitat which is important for key • series of information on all species and to target species in order to focus on priority fish detect changes in catch and effort trends for key habitat protection and maintenance species. The most cost effective collection of requirements. such information is likely to be through creel A summary of fishery and fish habitat monitoring surveys at access points around Lake Tyers (for and research projects proposed to address these both visiting and non-club fishers) and or information requirements, together with an through enhancement of general angler diary estimated cost and possible funding sources is programs in cooperation with community provided in Table 3. members.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 44

Indicative current costs for the conduct of a 12 Potential funding sources month access point creel survey in Lake Tyers to To date, most of the funding for Victorian bay and obtain recreational fishing catch and effort and inlet fishery monitoring and research has been attitudinal information is $30,000. Indicative costs provided from the Fisheries Victoria budget, with for the support of an ongoing general angler diary periodic contributions from the National Fisheries program and research angler diary programs for Research and Development Corporation (FRDC). black bream and dusky flathead in Lake Tyers is More recently, revenue derived from Recreational $12,000 per annum. Fishing Licence fees provides an additional Fish habitat funding option – particularly for programs such as creel surveys and angler diaries where there is The following information was identified as being strong recreational fisher involvement. necessary to address Strategy 6 of the LTFRMP: Funding opportunities for fish habitat assessment • Seasonal field sampling over 12 months to and protection projects may also be available determine the diet and ecological habitat through the development of partnership dependencies of various life stages of dusky arrangements with the EGCMA to seek funds flathead. The collection of such data will through RCIP. provide information on habitats that support important food sources which are critical for Availability of funding identified in Table 3 will be the survival and growth of dusky flathead. subject to Government budget constraints and the success of competitive applications for external Indicative costs for this program is $37,900, with a funds. maximum indicated the DPI contribution of $18,950. This contribution is subject to the establishment of partnerships to seek co- investment, including through the Regional Catchment Investment Plan (RCIP).

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 45

Table 3 Summary of fishery and fish habitat monitoring/research projects required to address the MIFRMP objectives Project Project Relevant Responsibility Key partners Total estimated Potential funding Maximum number strategy cost source contribution by FV ($) 1 Ongoing general angler and 4,5,6 Fisheries Victoria Recreational $6,000 per RFL Trust Account N/A research angler diary fishers annum programs 2 Periodic access point angler 1,2,3,4,5,6 Fisheries Victoria Recreational $30,000 per RFL Trust Account N/A survey program fishers survey 3 Catch sampling and otolith 4 Fisheries Victoria Recreational $6,000 per Fisheries Victoria $6,000 per ageing to provide age fishers, PIRVic annum program budget annum structure data for dusky flathead and black bream 4 12 month fishery- 6, 7 Fisheries Victoria EGCMA, $37,900 (one off Regional Catchment $18,950 (one off independent survey to PIRVic survey) Investment Program survey) determine the diet and Local ecological habitat government dependencies of various life Fisheries Victoria stages of dusky flathead. program budget

FRDC

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 46

Compliance with fishing controls

Fisheries compliance in Lake Tyers For Lake Tyers, these compliance services are delivered as part of the DPI’s Gippsland Fisheries The waters of Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve contain Program and Fisheries Victoria’s Recreational both inland and marine waters for the purposes of Compliance Strategy. Fisheries staff providing the Act. Unless exempted, anglers are required to these services are based at Lakes Entrance. hold a RFL to fish these waters. The requirement for an RFL applies to the taking or attempting to Fisheries Victoria recognises the need to maintain take, of any species of fish by any method. This high standards of education and awareness licence also covers other activities such as bait programs relating to the Lake Tyers Fisheries collection, gathering shellfish, yabby fishing, Reserve in keeping with the significance of the prawning and spear fishing. Details of area as a fisheries reserve. Fisheries Victoria will entitlements under this licence and other continue to provide such services consistent with important information for anglers can be found in its Statewide education and awareness program. the Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide. Fisheries Victoria’s programs are often There is a high level of community expectation complimented by the community education that fishery resources will be maintained at activities of Fishcare Victoria. The aim of this sustainable levels and that the aquatic habitats that program is to foster responsible fishing practices support them will be protected. The Act and the and care for aquatic environments. This program associated Regulations provide the legislative has been active in promoting ethical fishing framework to assist in the protection of fishery behaviour with respect to natural resources in the resources. Successful fisheries management in East Gippsland area. Victoria depends heavily on achieving optimal Information about management of fishing levels of compliance with this legislation. This is activities in Lake Tyers can also be disseminated best achieved through a combination of through the Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve maximising voluntary compliance and creating a Reference Group. deterrent effect. Education and community awareness Enforcement The DPI’s fisheries community education and programs awareness programs are complimented and There is a growing community awareness that supported by its efforts to ensure effective fishing activities can have a direct impact on the deterrents to potential offenders through its condition of fish resources. For some species, fisheries enforcement operations targeting specific management arrangements are in place substantial and deliberate breaches of the and may include catch and size limits. regulations. High levels of voluntary compliance require Land and water-based patrols by authorised effective education and community awareness fisheries officers provide important opportunities programs which promote and support close and for communication and engagement with active ongoing cooperation between fishers and Fisheries fishers, as well as discouraging illegal activities by Victoria, a high level of community awareness and providing a physical presence. There are many understanding about management objectives and compliance options available ranging from strategies and perhaps most importantly, a sense warnings through to prosecutions in a court of of shared responsibility for maintaining healthy law. In the area of Lake Tyers, these services are fisheries for future generations. also funded and delivered through the DPI The DPI, through its Regional Fisheries staff, is Regional Fisheries Program. responsible for the delivery of a range of services The DPI operates a 24-hour Statewide offence associated with fisheries compliance. A proportion reporting service. Users of the Lake Tyers Fisheries of these services are funded directly from the RFL Reserve and other waters who are concerned Trust Account. These services range from the about suspected illegal activities are encouraged to provision of education and information services to report these matters on 13 FISH the field operations of fisheries officers involved in (13 3474). the detection of illegal fishing activities.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 47 Actions Fisheries compliance staff: Fishcare Volunteer Program: • Provide information and promote community reporting of suspected illegal fishing activities • Host community awareness activities to (13 FISH) promote responsible fishing and care for fish habitats • Plan and target patrols and inspections to achieve at least 90% compliance rate with • Provide opportunities for community fishing controls involvement in caring for the fishing environment • Undertake targeted enforcement operations based on Statewide priorities and resource risk • Conduct education programs promoting key to achieve fisheries objectives as defined in the fisheries management objectives LTFRMP. • Display and distribute Fishcare and Fisheries Victoria educational material as appropriate.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 48

Management plan implementation

The LTFRMP describes arrangements for the Ongoing implementation of the LTFRMP will management of recreational fishing in the require action by the DPI in conjunction with recently established Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve. recreational fishers, VRFish and other stakeholders to establish the required fishery Initially, fishery management measures in the monitoring and research programs, to carry out Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve will remain day-to-day management activities, and to ensure unchanged while the focus is on establishing compliance with fishery management programs to characterise the recreational fishery, arrangements. monitor fishery trends and the status of key target species, and identify key fish habitats in the Key actions required to facilitate implementation estuary. of this plan are summarised in Table 2. If information from these programs indicates a An annual progress report on implementation of need to alter fishery management arrangements the LTFRMP will be prepared providing details of in future to ensure sustainable use or to meet performance against the key performance changing demands for recreational fishing indicators. Annual reports will be available on the opportunities, then changes will be considered in DPI website at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing. consultation with stakeholders. For further information on the LTFRMP or Any proposed changes to fisheries regulations recreational fishing in general, contact the DPI may be subject to a Regulatory Impact Statement Customer Service Centre, telephone 136 186 or (RIS) process under the provisions of the visit the Department’s website at Subordinate Legislation Act 1994, which requires www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing. extensive consultation with stakeholders. For further information on the activities of the Key implementation actions VRFish, telephone (03) 9854 6167 or visit the VRFish website at www.vrfish.com.au. The LTFRMP will come into effect following a declaration by the Minister via a notice in the Costs of implementation Government Gazette and will be made available to Costs of establishing the required fishery the public through the internet and as a published monitoring and research programs, and potential document. funding sources, are described in Table 3 in the The Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Reference ‘Research and Monitoring’ section of the Group will be established to work with the DPI to LTFRMP. Costs for regulatory amendment deliver the desired management outcomes from processes and implementation of fisheries the LTFRMP. It is proposed that the Lake Tyers compliance activities in the Lake Tyers Fisheries Fisheries Reserve Reference Group include Reserve will be met within the DPI Fisheries representatives nominated by VRFish, Fisheries Program budget allocation. Victoria, local government, local Indigenous interests, the EGCMA and Parks Victoria.

The role of the Reference Group is to coordinate activities and projects in support of the LTFRMP actions, strategies and objectives.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 49 References

Anon. 1981, The ecology of fishing in Botany Bay - Department of Primary Industries 2006a, Lake biology of commercially and recreationally Tyers Fish Habitat Assessment 2006, Compiled valuable species, Environment Control Study of by the Fish Habitat Assessment Group. Botany Bay No. 23B. New South Wales State (Unpublished data). Pollution Control Commission, Sydney. Department of Primary Industries 2006b, Australian National Sportsfishing Association Ltd Mallacoota Inlet Fisheries Reserve Management 2004, Austag Research Report 2003/2004. Plan 2006, Fisheries Victoria Management Butcher, AD 1945, Conservation of the bream fishery. Report Series No. 23. Fisheries and Game Department. Victorian Ducker, SC, Brown, VB & Calder, DM 1977, An Fisheries Pamphlet 1. identification of the Aquatic Vegetation in the Cadwallader, PL & Backhouse, GN 1983, A guide to Gippsland Lakes, School of Botany, University the freshwater fish of Victoria, Melbourne: of Melbourne. Victorian Government Printing Office. pp.249. East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority Cashmore, S, Conron, S & Knuckey, I (eds) 2000, 2005 East Gippsland Regional Catchment Black Bream – 1998, Fisheries Victoria Strategy, East Gippsland Catchment Assessment Report No. 24. Marine and Management Authority, . Freshwater Resources Institute. Queenscliff, East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority Victoria. 2006, River Health Strategy, East Gippsland Chubb, CF, Potter, IC, Grant, CJ, Lenanton, RCJ & Catchment Management Authority, Wallace, J 1981, ‘Age structure, growth rates Bairnsdale. and movements of Sea Mullet, Mugil Fletcher, WJ, Chesson, J, Fisher, M, Sainsbury, cephalus L. and Yellow-eye Mullet, K.J.., Hundloe, T, Smith, ADM & Whitworth, Aldrichetta forsteri (Valenciennes), in the B 2002, National ESD reporting framework for Swan-Avon River System, Western Australia’, Australian Fisheries: The ‘How To’ guide for wild Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater capture fisheries, Final Report for FRDC Project Research vol. 32, pp. 605-628. 2000/145. Fisheries Research and Coutin, P, Walker, S & Morison, A (eds) 1997, Black Development Corporation, Canberra. Bream – 1996, Fisheries Victoria Assessment Gippsland Coastal Board 2002, Gippsland Boating Report No. 14. Fisheries Victoria, East Coastal Action Plan, Published by the Melbourne. Gippsland Coastal Board, Bairnsdale. Coutin, P (ed.) 2000, Black Bream – 1997, Fisheries Gomon, MF, Glover, JCM & Kuiter, RH (eds) 1994, Victoria Assessment Report No. 18. Marine The Fishes of Australia's South Coast, State and Freshwater Resources Institute. Print, Adelaide. Queenscliff, Victoria. Gray, CA, Gale, VJ, Stringfellow, SL & Raines, LP Coutts, PJF 1981, Readings in Victorian Pre- 2002, ‘Variations in sex, length and age history. Volume 2. The Victorian Aboriginals compositions of commercial catches of 1800-1860, Victorian Archaeological Survey, Platycephalus fuscus (Pisces: Platycephalidae) Ministry for Conservation, Victoria. in New South Wales, Australia’, Marine and Department of Natural Resources & Environment Freshwater Research, vol. 53, pp. 1091-1100. 1997, Victoria’s Biodiversity – Directions in Gray, CA, Johnson, DD, Young, DJ & Broadhurst, Management, D&D Printing, Melbourne, p. MK 2004, ‘Discards from the commercial 149. gillnet fishery for dusky flathead, Department of Primary Industries 2001a, Lake Platycephalus fuscus, in New South Wales, Tyers 2001, Compiled by the Bay and Inlet Australia: spatial variability and initial effects Fisheries and Stock Assessment Group. of change in minimum legal length of target (Unpublished data). species’, Fisheries Management and Ecology, vol. 11, pp. 323-333.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 50

Gunthorpe, L (ed.) 1997, Gippsland Lakes fish Land Conservation Council 1982, Report on the habitats – 1997, Compiled by the Fish Habitat Gippsland Lakes Hinterland Area, Government Assessment Group. Fisheries Victoria Printer, Melbourne. Assessment Report No. 16. Fisheries Victoria, Last, PR, Scott, EOG & Talbot, FH 1983, Fishes of East Melbourne. Tasmania, Tasmanian Fisheries Development Hall, DN 1984, Commercial Fishery Situation Report: Authority, Hobart, pp.563. Lake Tyers, Gippsland. Fisheries and Wildlife Lenanton, RCJ 1977, ‘Aspects of the ecology of fish Service, Victoria. Commercial Fisheries and commercial crustaceans of the Blackwood Report No. 11. River estuary, Western Australia’, Fisheries Hall, DN & MacDonald, CM 1985, A survey of Research Bulletin Western Australia, vol. 19, pp. recreational fishing and aquatic resource use in 1-72. Lake Tyers, Gippsland, Fisheries and Wildlife Lynch, P, Burchmore, J & Johnson, T (accessed 13 Service, Victoria. Marine Fish Report No. 6. April 2004). Fishcare – Saving our Seagrasses Halliday, I 1990, Tailor tagging project: summary of Fishnote DF/29. NSW Fisheries. 1988 and 1989 results, Queensland Department http://www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au/hab/pub/sea of Primary Industries, Information Series grasses.htm. Q1I90027, p. 8. MacDonald, CM 1980, Population structure, Henry, GW & Lyle, JM (eds) 2003, The National biochemical adaptation and systematics in Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey. temperate marine fishes of the genera Arripis and FRDC Final Report Project No. 99/158, Chrysophrys (Pisces: Perciformes), PhD thesis, Fisheries Research and Development Australian National University, Canberra. pp. Corporation, Canberra. 336. Hutchins, B & Swainston, R 1986 Sea Fishes of MacDonald, CM 1983, Population, taxonomic and Southern Australia, Swainston Publishing, evolutionary studies on marine fishes of the genus Perth. Arripis (Perciformes: Arripidae), Bulletin of James, GD 1976, ‘Eggs and larvae of the trevally, Marine Science, vol. 33, pp. 780. Caranx georgianus (Teleostei: Carangidae)’, MacDonald, CM, Winstanley, RH & Hall, DN New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater 1997, Mallacoota Inlet commercial fin fishery -– Research, vol. 10, pp. 301-310. 1994, Fisheries Victoria Assessment Report James, GD 1978, Trevally and koheru - biology and No. 2, Fisheries Victoria, East Melbourne. fisheries. In Proceedings of the Pelagic MacDonald, CM 1997, Lake Tyers fin fisheries 1994, Fisheries Conference, July 1977, New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 1 Fisheries Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Victoria, East Melbourne. Fisheries and Research Division. Occasional Meinhardt Infrastructure & Environment 2005, Publication No. 15, pp. 50-54. Lake Tyers Beach Urban Design Framework, pt 1, James, GD 1984, ‘Trevally, Caranx georgianus vol. 3. Prepared for East Gippsland Shire, Cuvier: age determination, population Wellington Shire and Department of biology, and the fishery’, Fisheries Research Sustainability and Environment. Bulletin, vol. 25, p. 51. National Native Title Tribunal 2000, What is Native Jones, GK, Ye, Q, Ayvazian, S & Coutin, P (eds) Title? Native Title Fact Sheet. 2002, Fisheries biology and habitat ecology of Newman, SJ, Gaugan, DJ, Jackson, G, Mackie, MC, southern sea garfish (Hyporhamphus melanochir) Molony, B, St John, J & Kailola, P (eds) 2003, in southern Australian waters, FRDC Final Towards sustainability of data-limited multi- Report Project No. 1997/133. pp. 321, Fisheries sector fisheries, Australian Society for Fish Research and Development Corporation, Biology Workshop Proceedings, Bunbury, Canberra. Western Australia 23-24 September 2001. Kailola, PJ, Williams, MJ, Stewart, PC, Reichelt, Fisheries Occasional Publications No. 5, June RE, McNee, A & Grieve, C (eds) 1993, 2003, Department of Fisheries, Perth, Western Australian Fisheries Resources, Bureau of Australia, p. 186. Resource Sciences and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra. pp. 422.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 51 Natural Resources and Environment Committee Roob, R & Ball, D 1997, Victorian Marine Habitat 1991, Report from a Parliamentary Inquiry Database: Gippsland Lakes Seagrass Mapping, into the Allocation of fish resources in Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute, Victorian bays and inlets. Government Queenscliff. Printer, Melbourne. Rowland, SJ 1984, ‘Hybridisation between the Parks Victoria 2002, Lake Tyers Forest Park, Parks estuarine fishes yellowfin bream, Victoria Facts Sheet, May 2002 or Acanthopagrus australis (Gunther) and black www.parkweb.vic.gov.au bream, A. butcheri (Munro) (Pisces: Paxton, JE, Hoese, DF, Allen, GR & Hanley, JE Sparidae)’, Australian Journal of Marine and 1989, Zooological catalogue of Australia, vol. 7, Freshwater Research, vol. 35, pp. 427-440. Pisces, Petromyzontidae to Carangidae, Scott, TD, Glover, CJM & Southcott, RV 1980, The Canberra, Australian Government Publishing marine and freshwater fishes of South Australia Service, p. 664. (Second Edition), South Australian Ramm, DC 1983, An ecological survey of postlarval Government Printer, Adelaide, pp. 392. and juvenile fish in the Gippsland Lakes, Victoria, Shire of Tambo 1991, Lake Tyers Beach and Surround Marine Science Laboratories, Ministry for Strategy Plan incorporating Lake Tyers Foreshore Conservation, Victoria. Internal Report No. Reserves Management Plan, Shire of Tambo. 27. Vanderwal, R 1994, John Bulmer’s Recollections of Ramm, DC 1986, An ecological study of the Victorian Aboriginal Life, 1855-1908, Museum ichthyoplankton and juvenile fish of the Gippsland Victoria, Melbourne. Lakes, Victoria, PhD Thesis, University of Victorian Coastal Council 2002, Victorian Coastal Melbourne, p. 161. Strategy, State of Victoria, Victorian Coastal Rigby, BA 1982, An ecological study of the Council, Melbourne. ichthyoplankton and juvenile fish of the Gippsland Winstanley, RH 1985, Commercial fishery situation Lakes, Victoria, Marine Science Laboratories, report: Tamboon Inlet, Fisheries & Wildlife Ministry for Conservation, Queenscliff, Service, Victoria, Marine Fisheries Report No. Internal Report No. 27, p. 29. 7, p. 27. Rigby, BA 1984, The ecology of fish inhabiting estuarine seagrass habitats in the Gippsland Lakes, Victoria, Masters thesis, University of Personal communications Melbourne, Victoria. S Bull, Marine Officer, Gippsland Ports, 2006. Robertson, AI 1982, ‘Population dynamics and J Whadcoat, Lake Tyers Beach resident, 2006. feeding ecology of juvenile Australian salmon (Arripis trutta) in Western Port, Victoria’, Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, vol. 33, pp. 369-375.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 52

Glossary

Age class – fish of a particular species that were Habitat – the physical, environmental and spawned in the same year. ecological conditions required by a species to survive and flourish. Catchment – the area of land from which run-off from rain enters a waterway. Juveniles – that part of a life cycle of a fish after the larval stage and before the fish becomes Closures – the banning of fishing during sexually mature. particular times or seasons, areas or both. Pre-recruit – fish that have not reached the legal Cohort – a group of fish of a particular species that minimum size and are not yet subject to targeted belong to the same age class. fishing pressure. Co-management – co-management of fisheries in Recruitment – fish reaching legal minimum size Victoria is a process whereby stakeholders and and becoming vulnerable to targeted fishing their representatives, the Fisheries Co- pressure. management Council (FCC) and relevant FCC fishery committees, and government management Salinity – the salt content of water. agencies (including Fisheries Victoria), cooperate Sediment – fragments of soil and rock that are and participate in the development and transported into an estuary by water flow and implementation of fishery management subsequently settle to the bottom. arrangements. Target species – the primary fish species intended Country – with respect to Indigenous usage, all to be caught using particular fishing equipment or spiritual, natural and cultural connections with the methods. land, water and natural resources of an area. Traditional owners – communities of people that Ecologically sustainable development – using, reasonably assert an association with the area that conserving and enhancing the community’s is based on direct decent from the original resources so that ecological processes, on which Indigenous custodians of Country and is in life depends, are maintained, and the total quality accordance with Indigenous tradition. of life, now and in the future, can be increased. Year class strength – the relative numbers of fish Estuary – the coastal section of a waterway where in each year class of a particular fish population. freshwaters from the catchment mix with saltwaters from the sea. Exotic species – any species that is not native to a particular location.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 53 Abbreviations

AAV Aboriginal Affairs Victoria ANSA Australian National Sportsfishing Association Ltd ATSIC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission CAP Coastal Action Plan cm centimetre DNRE Department of Natural Resources & Environment (former), now DPI and DSE DPI Department of Primary Industries DSE Department of Sustainability and Environment EEMSS Estuary Entrance Management Support System EGCMA East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority EGSC East Gippsland Shire Council EPA Environment Protection Authority ESD Ecologically Sustainable Development FCC Fisheries Co-management Council FRDC Fisheries Research and Development Corporation GBCAP Gippsland Boating Coastal Action Plan GCB Gippsland Coastal Board kg kilograms LCC Land Conservation Council LTFP Lake Tyers Forest Park LTFRMP Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan MSV Marine Safety Victoria NRIFS National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey NREC Natural Resources and Environment Committee RCIP Regional Catchment Investment Plan RCS Regional Catchment Strategy (East Gippsland) RFL Recreational Fishing Licence RHS River Health Strategy (East Gippsland) sq km square kilometres the Act Fisheries Act 1995 the Regulations Fisheries Regulations 1998 VCC Victorian Coastal Council VRFish Victorian Recreational Fishing peak body

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 54

Appendices

Appendix 1: Gazetted Declaration of Lake Tyers as a Fisheries Reserve

Excerpt from General Gazette G4, 22 January 2004, page 163.

Fisheries Act 1995 FISHERIES (DECLARATION OF MALLACOOTA INLET AND LAKE TYERS FISHERIES RESERVES) ORDER 2004

The Governor in Council makes the following Order: Objective 1. The objective of this Order is to independently declare Mallacoota Inlet and Lake Tyers as Fisheries Reserves and to specify their purpose. Authorising Provision 2. This Order is made under section 88 of the Fisheries Act 1995 (‘the Act’). Commencement 3. This Order comes into operation on the day on which it is published in the Victorian Government Gazette. Declaration of Mallacoota Inlet and Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserves 4. The area described in the Schedule is declared to be Mallacoota Inlet and Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserves. Purposes of the Mallacoota Inlet and Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserves 5. The purpose of the Mallacoota Inlet and Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserves, in accordance with section 88(2)(b) of the Act, is to: • Provide for enhanced fishing activities for recreational fishers; • Improve the management of monitoring of these enhanced harvesting opportunities; • Improve the management and monitoring of any other issues that are likely to impact on these harvesting opportunities; • Enable the development of a fisheries reserve management plan which will: - Specify the guidelines regulating or restricting equipment and activities in the Fisheries Reserves; - Provide for the issue of permits by the Secretary in respect of activities in the Fisheries Reserves; and - Establish a compliance strategy framework for the Reserves.

Schedule The Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve includes the Main Lake, Toorloo Arm below the Princess Highway Bridge and Nowa Nowa Arm below the Princess Highway Bridge.

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 55 Appendix 2: Biology and ecological requirements of other target recreational fish species

Yellow-eye mullet Morphological and genetic studies (MacDonald Yellow-eye mullet are schooling fish that inhabit 1980, 1983) have confirmed two species of salmon bays, coastal and estuarine waters (Kailola et al. in southern Australian waters - western salmon 1993). There are two known distinct populations (Arripis truttaceus) in waters of Western Australia, found being: South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania, and eastern salmon (A. trutta) in waters of southern • Western Australian Waters – whereby the species are found to spawn during winter New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. months (Chubb et al. 1981). Eastern salmon predominate in East Gippsland • Eastern Australian Waters – whereby the waters and are relatively common as far west as species are believed to spawn during late Port Phillip Bay. spring and early summer with a distribution Eastern salmon spawn in coastal waters of East from Eastern Victoria to New South Wales and Gippsland and southern New South Wales over Tasmania (Rigby 1982; Ramm 1983). the period November to April. Juvenile yellow-eye mullet may be found residing in a variety of water temperatures and salinities In Victoria both western and eastern salmon up to ranging from 20ppt in the Gippsland Lakes to 2+ years are found predominantly in bays and 35ppt (Kailola et al. 1993). estuaries, often in association with seagrass beds. They can tolerate temperature and salinity It is believed that spawning only occurs once a extremes, such as the brackish and turbid waters year with the number of eggs released increasing of estuaries, or the hyper-saline waters of the as females grow larger (Kailola et al. 1993). The South Australian gulfs. age of adults at first spawning is approximately three years of age (Scott et al. 1980). Eastern juveniles feed on zooplankton but are known to also prey on bottom-dwelling fauna Yellow-eye mullet may reach a size of at least 40 such as fishes, squid, crustaceans and polychaete cm in total length and about 950g, with Gippsland worms during winter months (Robertson 1982). Lakes fish displaying an average length of 7.5 cm (males) and 15.5 cm (females) (Kailola et al. 1993). Larger juvenile salmon (>30 cm length) move out of bays and estuaries into more exposed coastal Yellow-eye mullet are considered to be omnivores waters, such as around rocky headlands and along with algae, detritus, seagrass, microalgae, surf beaches. Maturing salmon school up and plankton (as juveniles), epiphytes and small move east or west along the southern coast to the animals including molluscs and polychaete worms respective spawning grounds of each species. being in their main diet (Hall 1984; Kailola et al. Migrating schools of adult salmon will sometimes 1993). ‘rest up’ near the mouths of estuaries such as Lake Australian salmon Tyers, and may occasionally move into such estuaries temporarily to feed. Australian salmon are migratory, schooling marine fishes found in coastal waters, bays and estuaries of southern Australia and up the east and west coasts to approximately 30oS (Kailola et al. 1993).

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Appendix 3: Ministerial guidelines for Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve

Excerpt from Government Gazette G41, 13 October 2005, pages 2279-2280

Fisheries Act 1995 SECTION 30 Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan Ministerial Guidelines

1. Fisheries Victoria of the Department of Primary Industries will be responsible for the preparation of the Fisheries Reserve Management Plan. The plan must be consistent with the objectives of the Act. 2. The Fisheries Co-management Council will oversee the process for the preparation of the Fisheries Reserve Management Plan. The plan must comply with Part 3 of the Act. 3. The Fisheries Reserve Management Plan will be prepared with input from all major affected stakeholder groups, including recreational fishing interests, conservation interests, indigenous interests and commercial bait and eel fishing interests. 4. The Fisheries Reserve Management Plan will identify key actions to protect habitats and enhance recreational fishing opportunities, including actions designed to improve the management and monitoring of recreational fishing and the impact of other issues (eg habitat change) on recreational fishing opportunities. 5. The Fisheries Reserve Management Plan shall specify appropriate management controls with regard to recreational fishing and may recommend options to assist in managing related activities. 6. The Fisheries Reserve Management Plan will include processes for reporting to the Victorian community on achievements of the plan.

Dated 14 September 2005

Responsible Minister: BOB CAMERON Minister for Agriculture

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 57 Appendix 4: Management Plan Steering Committee

Terms of Reference 1. To provide advice on issues associated with the preparation of the LTFR Management Plan - Fisheries Victoria will prepare the draft plan

2. Consider public submissions relating the draft LTFR Management Plan received during the initial public meeting (1st Round) and the comments received during the Notice of Intention to Declare period - Fisheries Victoria will collate submissions and prepare a draft analysis to the Steering Committee

3. Provide advice to Fisheries Victoria with regards to the preparation of the final LTFR Management Plan.

Membership of the Steering Committee

Name Organisation

Mr Duncan Malcolm (Chair) Independent

Ms Allison Marion Planner - Parks Victoria

Mr Robert Andy Indigenous Liaison Officer - East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority

Ms Shannon Conway Natural Resource Planner - East Gippsland Shire Council

Mr Nik Phizacklea Executive Officer – Fisheries Co-management Council (FCC)

Mr Bill Tregonning Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust

Dr Murray MacDonald Manager Bay & Inlet Fisheries

Mr Graeme Evans Member – Victorian Recreational Fishing Peak Body (VRFish)

Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan 58