We have heard that the Black Bream commercial catch in the Lakes was only 10 TONNE!! for year 16/17. This is down from last years catch of 33 tonne. This is now only 1 tonne per commercial fisher and is significantly less than previous years, if true. We will confirm this tomorrow with the VFA and let you know the outcome. We will also ask for the results of the 16/17 recreational fishers surveys and anglers diaries as well as the annual pre-recruit survey data. There has been acknowledgement, ( Fisheries Management and Science Branch, 2016 Gippsland Lakes Fisheries Report), that the Bream commercial catch rate has been in decline since a peak of 96 tonne in 2011/12. (note this was a flood year for rivers entering the Gippsland Lakes) WHEN does the catch rate of Bream reach critical levels? We will ask and keep you posted! The attached graph is from the Ingram report 2016