The Victorian Government has released its Victorian Recreational Fishing Tourism Strategy, showcasing the diverse, year-round fishing opportunities on offer across the state.
The strategy was an election commitment and is part of the government's $35 million Go Fishing Victoria plan, aiming to position Victoria as Australia's premier recreational fishing destination with some of the world's best multi-species, multi-region fishing tourism locations.
The strategy focuses on working towards combining the best of Victorian tourism alongside outstanding fishing experiences.
The 10 locations identified in the strategy — as well as the fish species to target at each of them – includes the west coast, Lake Eildon, Gippsland Lakes and Mallacoota, sunset country, Central Highlands trail, Burnanga trail, Aussie bass trail, High Country, South West trophy lakes and the Grampians, and Port Phillip Bay.
The strategy will implement 53 recommendations over the next five years and provide a vision, goals, and priority areas for further developing fishing as a pivotal contributor to Victoria's visitor economy.
It will encourage more people to fish more often and entice inbound and intrastate visitor markets to fish these destinations, stay longer and contribute to regional economies.
Victorian Fisheries Authority is leading the strategy's implementation in partnership with regional tourism bodies and shires and it is available online at www.vfa.vic.gov.au/tourismstrategy
Fishing and Boating Minister Melissa Horne said the strategy would help attract more people from overseas and Australia to “wet a line” and explore the state.
"Victoria offers some of the most exciting and diverse recreational fishing opportunities,“ she said.
"We know recreational fishing is big business and contributes a great deal to regional tourism — supporting local jobs at a time our economy continues to bounce back.”