JOHNSON Swamp will not open to duck hunters this season after the State Government extended a ban until June 13.
The wetland had been closed since season opening because of a significant presence of Australasian Bittern. It was scheduled to reopen on April 17.
But on Wednesday, Minister for Agriculture, Jaala Pulford and Minister for Environment, Water and Climate Change, Lisa Neville announced the closure would extent to the end of the season.
The extended ban is another blow to hunters following the closure of Lake Elizabeth in the hours leading up to the season opening after detection of “a significant population” of Blue-billed Ducks.
The decision was made by the Game Management Authority and is believed to be based on the presence of Blue-winged Shovellers.
There are reportedly up to 1000 Blue-winged Shovellers in the Johnson Swamp State Game Reserve.
The bird is normally on the legal game list, but was removed this season.
The decision has been widely criticised by hunters, with Field and Game Australia saying in a statement that the State Government had shown “further disrespect” to the hunting community.
“…it’s clear that Ministers Jaala Pulford and Lisa Neville display no trust in the Waterfowl Identification Tests administered by the Game Management Authority,” a spokesperson said.
“The announcement has come as a surprise to Field and Game Australia as we have had volunteers and staff out at Johnson Swamp performing surveys of Australasian Bitterns. Field and Game Australia have been at Johnson Swamp every week since season opening, alongside Game Management Authority personnel.
“It is interesting to note that personnel from another conservation group performed surveys on only one occasion and did not return.”
The spokesperson said hunters were committed to the vitality of wetlands.
“Hunters are responsible for this wetland’s existence. Likewise, hunters are the ones pushing for water to be delivered to our wetlands. Hunters are the ones out surveying to help government make informed decisions.”
Shooters and Fishers Member for Northern Victoria, Daniel Young said duck hunters were being “vilified” by the government for closing another hunting reserve “without consultation or appropriate consideration”.
“The government has abused the regulations that provide for a legal duck hunting season by constantly moving the goal posts,” he said.
“The reality is the greatest threat to endangered species is the government’s failure to manage our wetlands to provide sustainable habitats for all waterfowl. I believe the water catchment authorities have a lot to answer for.”
“I will be doing all I can today to get some answers and expose the government’s inept ability to manage game and water resources.”
