At the moment any one can get a fishing licences ,you pay your cash and away you go .

If you want to get just about any other licence you need to study and sit a test ,and generally it takes awhile to get .

If people had to sit a test one for fresh water and one for salt water similar to what duck hunters have to sit
ie: be able to identify a range of species,
be able to show an understanding of the regs

We might not see some of the disgracefull stuff that happens on our waterways like undersized fish being taken and fishing outside closed seasons etc?

Not sure what everyone else thinks about the idea but its probably not a new idea ,any other things people think might could be added or would it just be more regulations ?

regards mick

I agree but it wont be worth the trouble.

The people that are intentionally and consistently doing the wrong thing generally wouldn't be holders of fishing licences anyway so it would be a pointless exercise.

Our licence fee would need to be increased due to additional staff being required to facilitate in the sitting of the tests etc.

just a thought

it would be good, but it would also deter alot of people from even trying to get their license if they think they cant pass, or, if they actually do fail. That would also mean that there would be less funds going to projects which are being paid for by our license fees.

From what I understand, the fees go to helping the recreational fishing community of victoria, and by introducing a test, people could ultimately be put off which means less funding.

Also, would it be worth doing a test just for a daily license?

A few things to think about

I like the idea Mick but I sort of agree with Craig...

Plenty of people pass their driving tests and then ignore the rules once they get their license.

It would make prosecution of illegal fishing easier though, as nobody could say "Oh I didn't know that rule"

Like Craig said though, most of the really dodgy fools we need to get rid of probably don't even have licenses so in some ways it would just be making life harder for the rest of us law abiding citizens. (And yes there probably would be extra fees to pay too)

I think another thing to do would be to make sure a rec fishing guide was given to EVERY single person who buys a license.
If a shop runs out of guides they should stop selling licenses until they get more.
They should also be available in several different languages so everyone can be aware of the rules.

Just a thought...
What if the rec guide was given to a customer before they bought the license and they had to sign the license book saying they had read and understand the rules before they could have the license?

Plenty of people would probably just sign it anyway but they are then easily punished if they are busted doing the wrong thing...

Rich.

It is a hard one,and with short term license holders would be even trickier,as they just wouldnt bother fishing or take the chance.It is definetly a good idea but might be harder in practice than we all think. I like the idea of no selling a license without a handbook to go with it and some sort of signature to acknowledge they have been given a copy.
A little bit of topic but NSW has a great system,the license is a credit card style one and they send you out a renewal notice for it like you get for a car license,makes it easier to remember when it expires.

Cheers andy

i think this is a good idea. if you think about it a fishing licence is the only one you can buy withount going though any sort test. i reckon it would make a bit of a difrence fore shore

Great idea i think but hard for those who only buy a short term licence or those who a fishing for the first time.

I personally have never had anyone ask to see my licence while fishing starting to wonder are there any fisheries officers out and about checking for licences???? Maybe its time that Rangers and Police had the right to check and fine people breaking regulations...

Under the fisheries act i think if you are engaged in fishing activities a park ranger or police officer can ask to see your fishing license. Council by-laws officers have no authority to,even if you are fishing in a council park lake etc.

Cheers andy

I think it should be harder, not forgetting there are those "exempt" people, i know I'm one! So they don't even have to go into a shop to get a license and have the opportunity to get a hold of the guide.

I think even the exempt people should have to go and get a license,even if it doesn't cost them.

In the least you should sign of that you have read and understood the rules.

Ive read the guide cover to cover many times, and if I'm going targeting a certain species i will read up on it before leaving as well.

I also keep a copy in my tackle box as well as a fish ruler with the common species marked.

I don't understand why people find is so necessary to break the rules, they are only ruining fishing for everybody,taking undersized fish, over bag limits or even worse prohibited fish. can't they see it is just giving the ante fisho's more ammunition to get fishing for certain species banned, or even worse fishing in public lakes and waterways banned entirely?

More good points dunxy, and good answers to them.
Education & awareness are probably the easiest and cheapest option of all but will take time to flow through.

Cheers andy

Some great ideas there ,it would seem a lot of fisho's wouldnt mind seeing it harder to get a licence
The idea about making people read the reg's book and sign a a statement saying they have read and understood whats in it sounds great ....

But as has been said you probably wont stop the dikheads doing the wrong thing ,maybe harsher penalties for those that brake the regs ?

regards mick