The fate of the 2020 Victorian duck hunting season is expected to be decided this week by the Premier.

Field and Game chief executive officer, Dean O’Hara, said his organisation understood the decision had to be made by the Premier, who is back from leave today.

“We’re still waiting to hear the outcome but as we understand it, the Agriculture Minister has approved it but the Environment Minister won’t,” Mr O’Hara said.

“We’re asking the government to trust the Game Management Authority’s recommendation and enable hunters to support regional areas.”

He said according to the Wildlife (Game) Regulations 2012, duck hunting season runs from the third Saturday in March to the second Monday in June, but the dates can be altered by the ministers.

Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath, has also called on the Andrews government to confirm the season.

Ms Bath said there was substantial concern across Gippsland that Labor would cancel duck season, which would be a “disastrous blow” to the local tourism sector and recreational businesses in already difficult times.

“Recreational shooters are incredibly important to Gippsland’s regional economy and it is imperative the season goes ahead,” Ms Bath said.

“Gippsland tourism has experienced an unprecedented downturn as a result of bushfire – we don’t need Labor’s political games.

“Recreational duck hunting is a sustainable and highly popular pastime, delivering an array of regional economic and social benefits.

She said in 2019, a Commonwealth Department of Health report identified recreational hunting was worth $2.4 billion to the Australian economy, with Victoria contributing $638 million each year.

Ms Bath said any decisions applied by Labor to duck season must be based on fact, not ideology.

“Recent rainfall in Gippsland has put water levels at key sites at optimal levels, with both Heart Morass and Dowds Morass full.”

She said sites like Lake Coleman, at Dutson Downs, and McLennan Strait, near Hollands Landing, were also in excellent condition.

“We have over 25,000 recreational shooters in Victoria who are licensed to hunt water fowl and Gippsland businesses urgently need the 2020 duck season to be confirmed.”

According to the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia website, duck hunting is permitted in state forests, unoccupied Crown land and State Game Reserves. Hunting is also permitted on leased and licensed Crown land or private land with permission of the leaseholder, licensee or land owner/manager respectively. However, in its submission to the Game Management Authority dated December 13, 2019, the RSPCA recommended the duck hunting season be cancelled.

Its national policy states it is opposed to the hunting of any animal for sport as it causes unnecessary injury, pain, suffering, distress or death to the animals involved.

The organisation also cited dry conditions and a poor climate outlook over summer would result in a lack of available habitat and impacts on breeding.

But Mr O’Hara said all the evidence suggested there were enough duck numbers to allow a sustainable and ethical harvest to happen.