Gippsland Lakes Fishing Access licence holders are bewildered with the State Government’s legislation to end netting in the Gippsland Lakes.

On Tuesday the State Government took a step towards banning netting by introducing the legislation it says will boost tourism, create jobs and protect the lake system, however, it comes with the licence holders feeling misled and poorly treated by the State Government and the process it has taken.

Gary Leonard, one of the 10 remaining licence holders, said the State Government has not treated the licence holders with value.

“They (the State Government) have spoken to us and presented a heap of stuff about certain bits and pieces, they listened to what we had to say, noted that, and before they came back to us it has been put into legislation,” Mr Leonard said.

“When the premier said prior to the election they would treat us fairly and respectfully, it doesn’t seem like the case, none us feel as though we have been treated very well at all.

“The fact they keep saying they are going to handle the buyout the same way as Port Phillip Bay four years ago, the job prospects in the city compared to out in the country areas here are completely different.

“To try and treat it the same is pretty ordinary.

“There is no mental health counselling either. Job prospects are fairly low around here, so to put us in the same group as Port Phillip Bay is ridiculous.”

The Marine and Fisheries Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 will phase out the 10 remaining licences over two years.

The government said the first opportunity for industry exits will be April next year 1, with all affected licences phased out by April 1, 2021.

The ban will end a long history of net fishing in the Gippsland Lakes.

Seafood Industry Australia (SIA), the national peak body for the Australian seafood industry, and Seafood Industry Victoria, are appalled at the legislation introduced by the State Government.

“In an omnibus piece of legislation that looks to be designed to hide the rotten deal being offered to commercial fishers, the Marine and Fisheries Legislation Amendment Bill should more correctly be called the ‘Shutting the Gippsland Lakes Bill’,” SIA chief executive officer, Jane Lovell, said.

“This is a major blow to the Victorian seafood industry.

“Professional and recreational fishing have co-existed in the Gippsland Lakes for over 140 years and can do so for many more.

“Unfortunately, the Andrews Government is focused on winning popularity with recreational fishers, showing complete disregard at the toll this is having on the viability and mental health of our hard-working commercial fishers.

“There is no evidence supporting the Andrews Government’s reasoning that taking away these licences will create more opportunity for recreational fishing.”

Seafood Industry Victoria director, Johnathan Davey, said the package is “the worst we have ever seen and the compensation payable is not fair or reasonable”.

“The Andrews Government has already significantly imposed on the mental health of these fishers and is en route to destroying their livelihoods, all in order to benefit recreational fishing,” Mr Davey said.

“The legislation makes a specific point about not being liable for any loss, damage or injury directly or indirectly associated with shutting the Gippsland Lakes. So, the government takes no responsibility for the mental health impacts on our local fishers.”

“The compensation being offered for the value of a licence and the gear owned by these fishers is laughably inadequate. The fishers are being robbed of the opportunity to retire with dignity and grace.”

Mr Leonard said the licence holders are still waiting on the State Government to “actually release something” in regards to the buyout, believing it will “try and kick us out for as little as possible”.

“Apparently the value of our licences has decreased. They are using ABARES (Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics and Science) as a price starter, which is very inaccurate, where we have actually delivered them the actual prices from the Melbourne Seafood Centre,” Mr Leonard said in regards to catch history and pricing.

“They are very reluctant to use the actual figures, they want to use the cheapest figures they can find.

“There is a huge difference in value for some of the gear we each have and they still haven’t provided us with any details of what their valuer came up with, they are basically keeping that under their belt.

“We pretty well know how it’s going to play out – they are going to try and kick us out for as little as possible.

“There were buyouts that happened about 14 years ago and they are trying to come in way under what they paid those people at the time. With the cost of living going up so much over the past 14 years are we expected to be paid less than they did 14 years ago?”

The State Government believes the ban will give the Lakes to recreational fishers, creating better fishing opportunities and a boost for local tourism and regional jobs, as well as helping rebuild fish stocks and increase catch rates.

“We’re delivering what we promised, making the Gippsland Lakes better than ever for recreational fishers and local tourism operators,” Fishing and Boating Minister, Jaala Pulford, said.

“This legislation will provide certainty for affected licence holders and we will continue to work through this transition with them.”

The government says Gippsland Lakes Fishing Access Licence holders will be fairly compensated for the cancellation of their licence, with compensation to be consistent with that provided under the Port Phillip Bay buyout.

PICTURED: Some of the families who will be affected by the Gippsland Lakes Fishing Access licence buyout, which was put into legislation in paliament earlier this week. Licence holders believe they have been treated with a lack of respect throughout the buyout process. (Photo: Industry Victoria and The Saltwater Creative)