Notice of Intention to Declare the Eastern Port Phillip Bay Aquaculture Fisheries Reserves Management Plan and the Flinders Aquaculture Fisheries Reserve Management Plan

18 June 2004

I, Bob Cameron, Minister for Agriculture, announce my intention to declare the Eastern Port Phillip Bay Aquaculture Fisheries Reserves Management Plan and the Flinders Aquaculture Fisheries Reserve Management Plan in releasing the Draft Plans for public comment.  The Management Plans are being developed in accord with Part 3 of the Fisheries Act 1995. Section 32(1)(b) of the Fisheries Act requires the Minister to publish a notice of intention to declare a fisheries reserve management plan at least 60 days before the declaration is made.

The Management Plans are being developed through a Standing Committee made up of key stakeholder group representatives. The Eastern Port Phillip Bay Aquaculture Fisheries Reserves Management Plan will provide management direction for the next three years for the Dromana Aquaculture Fisheries Reserve, Beaumaris Aquaculture Fisheries Reserve and Mount Martha Aquaculture Fisheries Reserve. The Flinders Aquaculture Fisheries Reserve Management Plan will provide management direction for the Flinders Aquaculture Fisheries Reserve for the next three years. The planning process is overseen by the Fisheries Co-Management Council.

Copies of the Draft Plans can be obtained from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) website www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing or by contacting the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Submissions are to be in writing and should be sent within six weeks from the date of publication of this notice to Peter Appleford, Department of Primary Industries as follows: