Victorian Labor Government celebrates death of Port Phillip trawl industry

April 4 marked the end of commercial net fishing in Port Phillip following the gradual removal of 35 netting licences out of the bay over the last eight years.

“Ending commercial netting in Port Phillip was a promise we made when we were elected eight years ago, and it’s a promise we’ve kept, signalling a bright future for fishing in Victoria,” gloated Labor Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne.

All that remains of the industry are eight professional long line snapper fishers, providing just 88 tonnes of snapper into the seafood market annually.