GFAV - Game Fishing Association of Victoria

To all clubs delegates and members,
At our upcoming GFAV council meeting on the 17th July we will be joined by some members of Esso's decommissioning team.
For a few years now they have been working towards the removal of the redundant oil platforms off Eastern Victoria.
Led by Arthur Cunningham we have had a relationship throughout this process with the view to try and have part of the structures left below sea level for use as artificial reefs for generations to come.
Decommissioning phase 1 has been approved which is done by the same vessel that is in the attached video.
This process cuts and removes the structure at 55 metres below the surface with the remaining structure the subject of further discussion at present between Esso and NOPSEMA the regulatory body with regard to subsea infrastructure.
The remaining structure will be between 5 and 25 metres above the seabed depending on the location of the ten or so steel pile jacket platforms, our position still remains, and we will be approaching NOPSEMA to make our case around a net positive environmental outcome by this structure remaining.
The Esso staff will be presenting some of the very interesting details around not only the physical process but the marine diversity that the structures hold.
I'm sure this would be of interest to all anglers and we welcome you all to attend, as well as a show of support to our desired outcome.

We will have some pizzas on arrival from 6.30, have a brief council meeting, moving straight onto the presentation.
July 17th
VGFC Clubrooms, 186 Station street Aspendale

Epic catch for the Kamocean crew.
Zane Coyle onboard LVGFC club boat ‘Kamocean’ fishing off Lakes entrance.
A 2hr and 40 minute battle for the 9 year old with a solid 119kg Porbeagle. This capture is a pending Australian all tackle, Australian, Vic State and IGFA world record small fry
Well done to all involved!

Game fishers say offshore wind turbines will wipe out Marlin fishing ground Port Stephens is one of Australia's top game fishing grounds.

A scientific team on marine sciences and geography of the University of Barcelona, the University of Girona (UdG), the Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC) and the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC) recommends excluding and moving offshore wind farms from the protected areas in the Mediterranean due to the serious negative impacts these facilities can cause on the marine biodiversity and the landscape.

The scientific paper notes that the exclusion of the fishing activity —including artisanal fishing— of the affected areas by the offshore wind farms can have economic, social and environmental consequences for the fishermen, the fishing industry, the coastal communities that depend on this sector, and society in general. In addition, the sounds, vibration, and the electromagnetic fields of the cables can echo on captures.

Read more here

https://web.ub.edu/en/web/actualitat/w/a-scientific-study-recommends-excluding-and-moving-offshore-wind-farms-away-from-the-protected-areas-in-the-mediterranean?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3X5ejR9abuQpOlP4Vz0-CGJlvvzfF0tr8QQS3YpKHeSUid7Q_aynDJuCo_aem_GxpQtDkCYvsqrhW-Kyqjdg

EXCLUSIVE: Chris O’Keefe reveals that Chris Bowen approved the massive wind farm off the coast of Wollongong, despite 65% of those who engaged in the consultation process voted in opposition to the wind farm.

Potential World Record weigh in, approx 6pm at Clubrooms
Grub Cole Richardson Marine Ebb Tide Tackle Fitzmedia Productions / Fitzmedia LIVE ABC South West VIC Warrnambool Standard Sport 3WAY-FM

Concerns are being raised by community members, politicians and fishing bodies about the potential damage to the recreational and commercial fishing industry should an offshore wind project be established off the coast of East Gippsland

A little shout out to members and concerned fishing public.

There has been an uptick in discussions in relation to the emerging possibility of industrial scale wind turbines in our offshore waters off the 90 mile beach, Victoria.

Behind the scenes club delegates, state and national representatives, peak fishing bodies and high profile anglers have been having engagement with state and federal politicians., other regions affected and project representatives.

Whilst there are many pro’s and con’s in relation to projects there continues to be concern around our ability to enjoy our fishing pursuits in areas that have been proposed. Some of these areas are relatively close to land and in key fishing zones. Areas that are prolific with reefs and provide access to excellent table and sport fish such as snapper, flathead, gummy shark and calamari.

These areas are also providing a developing and growing fishery for southern bluefin tuna, yellowtail kingfish and mako sharks.

It’s also important to recognise that we have very limited access to offshore waters east of Wilson’s Prom with only a few boat ramps allowing access to prime fishing areas.

Over time we may need to reach out to survey views of members and the broader fishing community. Of particular interest would be the amount of fishing activity that is enjoyed in areas that have current project overlays.

In the meantime, we recognise this is a longer term process and hope as a community we can all work through this and do our best to to support the handing over of great local fisheries to our children and their children.

Visual impact to our coastline aside.... GFAV has strong concerns about access to these areas in the future.

Over 1200 square km's earmarked for Bass Strait in the Wilson's Promontory/ 90 mile beach area alone! Fears that boating, fishing and general access is in question for all ocean goers

https://www.facebook.com/share/mo8x13W3Kb5AJg7H/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Before a wind farm can be built, there is a lot of work and planning that must happen. Today the first feasibility licenses have been awarded to allow offshore wind developers to investigate how wind farms will work in parts of the Bass Coast off Gippsland.

It’s an important milestone that brings Victoria one step closer to developing our offshore wind sector and our renewable energy future.

Discover what an offshore wind farm might look like off the coast of Gippsland by exploring our visualisations.

Visit www.energy.vic.gov.au/renewable-energy/offshore-wind-energy/wind-turbine-visualisations

Only 2 weeks till we are on!!
Did you know there are THREE LAUNCHING LOCATIONS for the 2024 South West Game Fishing Classic!
Launch from Warrnambool, Portland or Port Fairy ramps*
It's not too late to enter, jump onto www.wolgfc.com and get your team locked in today!

(* Unless Tournament Committee modifies due to weather)

Well deserved Allan from Swordfish and Tunny club

The Chairman award this year went to Allan Gowland.

This was Allan’s 35th consecutive participation in our tournament after initially chairing the establishment back in 1989.

Thanks again Allan and congrats on tagging a marlin on day 2 with a new team representing the Swordfish and Tunny club.

ENTRIES ARE OPEN!! The South West Victorian Game Fishing Classic returns on the weekend of 20 & 21 April 2024!
Proudly bought to you by Ebb Tide Tackle, we are looking forward to a fantastic event.
https://www.wolgfc.com/post/2024-south-west-victorian-game-fishing-classic
GFAV - Game Fishing Association of Victoria GFAA - The Game Fishing Association of Australia

💥📣💬RULES ALERT! CLUB COMP GAME SHARK CATEGORY

🦈Only 1 GAME SHARK FROM THE CATEGORY can be weighed per day, per person. (not one of each species)
Also, a boat limit of 2 per day

eg. You can present one mako shark per person per day. Not 1 mako and 1 thresher. Blue Sharks are not eligible to be weighed for club comp.

Full details on event notes and covered at briefing night: https://fb.me/e/3kVJsuex7

The Lucky Angler Prize just got better.
Get your entries in.

SAVE THE DATE!!!!

More Information coming soon.

At last week's VGFC Annual General Meeting, I had the pleasure of presenting Arthur Mihailidis with a Life Membership. Arthur is a long-time committee member and all-round stalwart of the club. The VGFC is a much better place for Arthur's contributions. Congratulations Arthur on this well-deserved honour.

VGFC members getting stuck into the action up north!

More incredible action from 15 year old Levi Dowell with this pending junior world record!

Beast of a fish, good luck with your record application 🎣 🏆

🚨 PENDING JUNIOR WORLD RECORD 🚨

Congratulations to Bass Strait Member Levi Dowell for his capture of a 152.8kg Southern Bluefin out of Hastings.
This record is a pending for IGFA, GFAA & GFAV. 3 generations were on board, father Michael & Grandfather Geoff.
The current record has been held since 2018 at 143.4 kg so we will hopefully find out soon.
Congrats Levi!!!

📸 - Fishingonlineau

This capture is so spectacular that it deserves some more love.

11 years of age
120.50kg of prime SBT
37kg tackle
30 minute fight time
Memories to last a life time!

Massive well done to Latrobe Valley Game Fishing club junior member Nicolas Gilham and his crew with this beauty 🎣

Game fishing in Victoria keeps getting better and better

Young Gun Nicholas with a brute of a tuna today fishing with his dad Rodney.

The fishing just keeps on getting better in Victoria!