Fisheries officers and conservationists demand reversal of planned job cuts by VFA

In a unanimous vote of no confidence, members have condemned Victorian Fisheries Authority CEO Travis Dowling over plans to drastically cut fishery officer positions.

A VFA plan to cut fisheries officers is continue to prove wildly unpopular with just about everybody. Picture: Mark Stewart

An astonishing 100 per cent of Fisheries Officers Association members have voted that they have “no confidence” in the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) CEO Travis Dowling.

The vote comes as the VFA intends to push ahead with plans that will see 73 fishery officer positions more than halved and five fishery stations across the state reduced to just three.

Jobs will be lost, workers put at risk and wildlife will suffer according to VFA officers who say their cries have been falling on deaf ears.

It’s a plan that has proved so unpopular that fishing organisations and conservationists have united to oppose the plan.

The Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA), Victorian Recreational Fishing Peak Body (VRFish), Seafood Industry Victoria and the Abalone Council Victoria have all joined forces to denounce the plan.

VFA CEO Travis Dowling received a unanimous vote of no confidence from Fisheries Officers Association members. Picture: Zoe Phillips

VNPA nature conservation campaigner Shannon Hurley said she never thought she would see the day when these groups would all partner up.

“It’s unprecedented for our groups to come together, but this alliance demonstrates the seriousness of the situation,” said VNPA Nature Conservation Campaigner Shannon Hurley.

“We all agree that slashing frontline fisheries officers is a big mistake. When conservation groups and fishing interests stand together on an issue, the government should take notice.

“There is already a noncompliance rate of more than half in marine protected areas according to a statement released by the Community and Public Sector Union.

“If we cut the number of officers, people who fish illegally will likely feel even more confident breaking the laws without consequences.”

Ben Scullin, executive officer from, VRFish agreed.

“Further reducing fisheries enforcement just undermines sustainable fishing practices and will ultimately harm the experiences of over one million recreational fishers,” he said.

VRFish Executive Officer Ben Scullin, has voiced his concerns over the plans. Picture: Roger Tolland

A spokesperson for the VFA had previously told the Herald Sun they were making the changes as it was time to move to education over enforcement.

“Going forward we will be more focused on education and engaging the community with fishing, and we have proposed workforce changes to reflect this,” they said.

“Our workforce will focus on keeping compliance levels high, and on major fishing crime, while working closely with the community to provide them the education and resources they need to fish responsibly.”

All groups involved are calling for an immediate reconsideration of the proposed cuts by the VFA with an online petition having garnered over 14,000 signatures.

Originally published as Fisheries officers and conservationists demand reversal of planned job cuts by VFA