CONCERNS for the protection of Victoria’s fisheries have been raised by a workers’ union after the Victorian Fishing Authority (VFA) cut 62 jobs.

A statement from the Community and Public Sector Union Victoria (CPSUVic) said that after a period of the state having not had fisheries officers for ‘some time’, the roles would no longer exist in Victoria.

“Our fisheries will be left completely unprotected, unlawful poaching activity will skyrocket, and all (that) our fisheries officers will be able to do is try to ‘educate’ offenders,” the statement said.

“The VFA has been understaffed for some time, with vacancies being held over multiple years, particularly fisheries officer vacancies.”

CPSUVic said it had sought to raise concerns around long-term vacancies with the Minister for Fishing and Boating in Victoria Sonya Kilkenny for the last 12 months without success and that information announced about the de-structure did not accurately portray the real number of job losses.

“(It) only discloses the number of ‘filled positions’ being lost, not accounting for the vacant unfilled positions that are also being abolished.”

Comment was sought from the VFA.