Did you know? In 2014, prior to the last Victorian State election, the then Minister for Agriculture, Mr Peter Walsh, committed to a buy back of commercial fishing licenses on the Gippsland Lakes, if re-elected. He stated that "reducing commercial fishing efforts will boost opportunities for recreational fishing and in turn, help grow Gippsland businesses that are supported by recreational fishing tourism". The Nationals local member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, welcomed the initiative. Mr Bull stated that " a voluntary buyback is a proposal I have received advocacy on from both commercial and recreational interests..." Labors platform advocated, at the same time, for a phase out of commercial netting, an upgrade of fishing clubs and an increase of recreational fishers to One Million by 2020 with a commitment of $35 million. The commercial fishing netting halt would be phased out over eight years in Port Phillip and Corio Bays and a ban on netting at the mouth of the rivers in the Gippsland Lakes. To date we are unable to find out WHY the Gippsland Lakes was restricted to a ban only at the river mouths and intend to put the question directly to the Minister responsible. We also intend to ask the Minister in opposition if they will still honor the commitment to ban all netting of fish in the Lakes at the next election to be held in 2018. We will keep you posted on their responses!! Please keep sharing our petition.