Reseachers to go: Fishery jobs set for cuts

By Michelle Herbison
FISHERIES Victoria will cut Queenscliff jobs as part of a State Government move to “combine” science teams and “refocus”, according to a minister.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Walsh said the reshuffle would involve cutting some jobs at Queenscliff’s Fisheries Research Branch and moving staff from Melbourne and Geelong.
Department of Primary Industries would concentrate on assessing fish stocks, measuring commercial and recreational fishing catches and undertaking targeted biological research on key fish species.
Labor Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville said in parliament this week that the announcement would slash 15 jobs at the research branch – half its existing staff.
“The impact of these savage cuts will have a disastrous impact on our local fishing industry and marine environment,” she said.
“Talk of relocating staff from Melbourne and Geelong to Queenscliff cannot hide the harsh reality that we are going to lose 15 crucial research positions from the Department of Primary Industries.”
The Independent reported in May that Fisheries Victoria’s work with a mussel hatchery at Queenscliff had boosted industry at Portarlington.
The facility had helped the state’s mussel production grow 68 per cent to 951 tonnes in the 2010/2011 year.
Ms Neville said job cuts would place “innovative, world-class” developments like the mussel hatchery at “serious risk”.
“It was staff at the DPI Centre in Queenscliff who developed a new shellfish hatchery to produce a reliable high quality spat that was vital in saving our mussel industry. The potential for developments of this calibre in the future is at serious risk with cuts of this magnitude to the research capacity.”
Ms Neville called on the Government to reinstate the positions.
Mr Walsh said the Government “remained committed” to fisheries science at Queenscliff.
“Some current positions at Queenscliff will be reduced but no staff member will be forced to take redundancy as a result of the changes. Affected staff will be found employment within the department or will have the option of applying for a voluntary departure package if they choose.”
Mr Walsh said the job cuts would “not affect” Queenscliff Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre.