This question comes up a lot. A brief understanding of Victoria's policy structure for the marine environment is useful to understand why we are not petitioning VFA's Minister. 

Fishing is not under threat

In the grand scheme of things, VFA is 'small fry' (forgive the pun) as they are mostly responsible for the 'fishing' component of the system. But fishing isn't under threat. 

What is under threat, are the values that the marine park represents. These values are protected by the Marine and Coastal Act 2018, which is under the environment portfolio. Parks Victoria and Fisheries Victoria are both required to work with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) to ensure their decisions are compatible with the Act and its associated policies. 

The park's values, or life and economy is under threat

In reneging on protection of marine parks, VFA (and to some degree, Parks Victoria, who should hold VFA to full account) are putting our economy at jeopardy.  

DEECA states that marine parks 'complement our land-based parks and reserves system, which is an integral part of our way of life and economy.' They are described in Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037 as 'the backbone of biodiversity conservation' and 'need to be enhanced'. 

Marine sanctuaries are critically important

Marine sanctuaries are so important as to be sacrosanct. There is no excuse for allowing the values to be eroded, as this impacts all Victorians. VFA's failure to protect marine parks from illegal fishing jeopardises the integrity of marine parks, leading to reduced values and increased negative impact on our way of life and economy. 

DEECA is responsible for compliance

Under the Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary Management Plan DEECA is 'to manage compliance with the no-fishing provisions within the sanctuary.' VFA are only responsible for enforcement, not for compliance. 

This is a compliance issue and that responsibilty ultimately sits with the Minister for the Environment.