The Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries has announced a new commercial scallop fishery is opening in Port Phillip Bay, Australia.
The department has announced the opening of an Expression of Interest period, where stakeholders may apply to be a part of the fishery. The period ends on 18 December, then applicants will have the opportunity to bid on a license. The department projects the fishery's opening for February.
Peter Walsh, minister for agriculture and food security, said there has been interest in a scallop fishery since dredge fishing in the bay closed in 1997.
Walsh said existing recreational scallop fisheries in Port Phillip Bay would be protected as the commercial license holder would be excluded from harvesting in recreational zones.
"The single license and a conservative Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) across six sub-zones will ensure careful management of the resource," Walsh said.
