FIFTY per cent of all fisheries officer positions have been slashed, as 35 people lose their jobs reducing Victorian Fisheries Authority staffing from 192 to 157.
Member for Eildon Cindy McLeish said the state government is gutting frontline fisheries compliance, dramatically weakening enforcement efforts, and leaving recreational fishers, boaters, and marine environments at risk.
Fisheries officers are already carrying a vacancy rate close to 30 per cent across the state and under the restructure some of these vacancies won’t be filled.
State Member for Eildon, Cindy McLeish MP said, “Fisheries officer positions have been decimated across the state and will be felt locally.
“There are just over 50 fisheries officers in Victoria now; 20 years ago, there were 72.
"We know that majority of recreational anglers comply with regulations which is largely due to the presence of officers who enforce and educate.
"With this change, job focus will shift to education and engagement and move away from enforcement."
These cuts to frontline positions in rural Victoria, follow a reduction in Parks Victoria staff by the state government just months ago.
Ms McLeish also highlighted that native fisheries research positions have been severely impacted.
“The Arthur Rylah Institute has not been spared, with crucial native fish research projects being discarded,” she said.
"We know that majority of recreational anglers comply with regulations which is largely due to the presence of officers who enforce and educate.
"With this change, job focus will shift to education and engagement and move away from enforcement."
