BAYSIDE: Concerns for Ricketts Point
Sandringham MLA Brad Rowswell says that he is concerned about the local impact caused by the State Government’s cutback of Victorian Fishing Authority staff.
“At a local level I am deeply concerned about the impact of these changes on our Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary,” Mr Rowswell told Parliament.
“I think of organisations in my community – the Friends of Ricketts Point, the Friends of Ricketts Point Landside, the Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron, the Bayside Earth Sciences Society Inc, the Beaumaris Conservation Society, the Black Rock and Sandringham Conservation Association and Marine Care Ricketts Point.
“All of these organisations, which have invested literally thousands of hours into the protection of our marine parks and our marine sanctuary, are being dudded by this government. “Without enough fisheries officers, illegal fishing can run rampant. Poachers will be able to deplete fishing stocks. Without enough fisheries officers, our natural environment is put at risk. Without enough fisheries officers, illegal fishing operators will be able to undercut legitimate operators. Without enough fisheries officers, reckless boating, speeding and noncompliance will endanger lives,” Mr Rowswell said.