Role statement - Victorian Fisheries Authority

Victorian Fisheries Authority

The Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) is established to promote sustainable and responsible fishing and fishing-related activities in Victoria. It is also a function, under Section 8(k) of the Victorian Fisheries Authority Act 2016 to work with land, water, waterway and coastal managers and public sector bodies to improve fisheries, respond to any emergency or undertake compliance and enforcement activities. 

The VFA is the control agency for shark hazards in Victorian waters and is a support agency for emergencies in the aquatic environment.

Mitigation

Activity Critical task alignment / activity source

Publish educational material on declared noxious aquatic species (website)

2.1

Publish educational material on shark hazards (website)

2.1

Publish information for the community on shark hazards

2.1, 2.2

Enforce regulations relating to shark attractants 

5.1, 5.4

Support DEECA in the delivery of programs to reduce the incidence of cetacean entanglement and vessel strike from fishing activities 

1.5, 2.2, 3.2

Response (including Relief)

Activity Critical task alignment / activity source

Control agency for providing a coordinated response to shark hazards under the State Shark Hazard Plan

3.1, Table 9: Control agencies for response

Lead Response Support Agency (RSA) for the functional area of fisheries (in Victorian waters)

Table 10: Support agencies for response

Key support agency to:

  
  • the relevant control agency responding to pollution of waterways

3.1
  • respond to cetacean stranding’s for either living or deceased animals under the Victorian Cetacean Emergency Plan and control agency for the management of shark hazards arising out of strandings
 3.1, 3.2
  • respond to cetacean entanglements or impacts under the Victorian Cetacean Emergency Plan, including providing vessels and crew
 3.2
  • provide boats and operators to assist in emergency response and logistics
 3.2, 9.2, 10.1
  • respond to Blue-green algae blooms where these impact on fisheries and fishing
 3.2, 16.1, 16.2
  • respond to fish mortality (fish deaths) events, including an initial impact assessment and notifying the relevant control agency if the cause relates /is suspected to relate to hazards managed by that agency e.g. exotic animal disease, pollution, blue-green algae bloom
 3.2, 11.1, 11.3, 16.1, 16.2, 16.3
  • responding to marine pest incursions
 16.1

Enforce provisions under the Fisheries Act 1995 prohibiting bringing into Victoria, possession, transporting or release of declared noxious aquatic species

1.3, 5.4, 16.4, 16.5

Key support agency for DH to respond to food contamination involving fish in Victorian waters

3.2, 16.2, 16.3

Key support agency to sample shellfish for marine biotoxin contamination

3.2, 16.1, 16.2

Recovery

Activity Critical task alignment / activity source

Liaise with control and support agencies for relief or recovery activities affecting the fishing or aquaculture industries 

3.2, 18.7

Recovery Support Agency (RecSA) to: 

  • DEECA, EPA and PV to support the coordination of the clean-up for fish mortality (fish deaths) events, due to natural causes on public waterways (non-commercial fish populations and excluding disease outbreaks), including an initial impact assessment and notifying the relevant control agency if the cause relates/is suspected to relate to hazards managed by that agency e.g. exotic animal disease, pollution and blue-green algal bloom 

Table 18: Recovery coordination: Natural environment

Assurance and Learning

For assurance and learning activities, refer directly to the agency for further information.

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Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander flagsThe department acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.