Making game hunting safer

Jaclyn Symes has announced funding to ensure safe, responsible and sustainable hunting practices this season and into the future.

The Victorian agriculture minister revealed funding for the state’s Game Management Authority, an independent statutory authority responsible for the regulation of game hunting, on Friday.

A $6 million contribution across four years hopes to lead to a 30 per cent increase in Game Management Authority staff for enforcement and stakeholder engagement, deliver equipment for new and existing compliance officers, increased research capacity, education campaigns and a new licensing system.

The funding aims to assist the Game Management Authority in enforcing conditions placed on duck hunting in Victoria and ensure it is done in a safe and sustainable way.

Ms Symes said the additional funding was part of a commitment to ensure that game hunting is conducted in a safe, responsible and sustainable way.

‘‘Game hunting is a legal recreational activity that generates jobs and economic benefits for rural and regional Victoria,’’ she said.

‘‘The GMA and partner agencies, including Victoria Police, DELWP, DJPR, Victorian Fisheries Authority and Parks Victoria, will continue to work together to ensure people act in a sustainable and responsible manner and comply with hunting and public safety laws.’’

The Labor Government has also committed to the implementation of a new Adaptive Harvest Model to improve the way populations of duck and other bird numbers are assessed.

‘‘This will strengthen the scientific basis of future decision making and compliments the government’s sustainable hunting action plan,’’ a statement said.