Fishing replacing footy for weekend fun as anglers make the most of record garfish season
Port Phillip Bay anglers are reporting the best run of garfish in decades. But are they allowed to leave their neighbourhood to throw in a line?
South East
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The best garfish season in decades has anglers flocking to their favourite fishing spots around Port Phillip Bay.
The Mornington Peninsula has been especially popular because it had an abundance of the fish and calm water made catching them easy.
Tackleworld’s David Kramer said he hadn’t seen so many garfish in the bay for decades.
“People are easily catching their limit of 40 each time they go out, whether that be in a boat or on a pier or the rocks,” Mr Kramer said.
He said a combination of factors had led to the high numbers.
“The removal of net fishing from the bay has meant there are hundred and hundreds of tonnes of fish no longer being netted.
“Port Phillip Bay is also very healthy which increases the number of fish that spawn.”
Mr Kramer said the record season had coincided with community sport being cancelled and AFL games being played outside of Melbourne.
“Normally you’d have up to 300,000 people going to watch their team play on the weekend. That’s not happening at the moment.
“Families who would also normally have commitments to weekend sport are also now looking for something else to do.”
Demand for fishing gear and information had also soared during lockdown 2.0, he said.
“Last time Stage 3 did not allow fishing in Victoria but this time the chief health officer has acknowledged it is a low risk activity so it’s back on the table.”
Mr Kramer said the nature of the sport encouraged social distancing but he urged people to fish close to home.
“This garfish run starts at Safety Beach and goes all the way to Port Melbourne,” he said.
“If you live on the southern peninsula there are plenty of whiting.
“You don’t need to travel a long way to thrown in a line and catch something.”
Mornington Peninsula mayor Sam Hearn said the recent update on restrictions around exercise and recreational activities offered the region more protection.
“I am feeling more comfortable than I was last week now that those restrictions have been clarified and tightened,” Mr Hearn said.
He said he had not seen any “disturbing behaviour around fishing.”
On Friday Victorians were told they would be fined $1652 for travelling out of their neighbourhood for exercise under a strict new coronavirus regime.
When metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire moved to stage three restrictions last week, Premier Daniel Andrews said people would be free to travel to different local government areas within the lockdown zone for exercise or recreation.
But in a significant shift, the state government has clarified its advice saying residents must use facilities closest to home.
Mr Andrews urged Victorians to keep it simple when considering their activities.
“If you can do it locally, please do it locally and if you don’t have to do it, then don’t.”
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