ABOUT THE GFAV
Proudly supporting Victorian Game Fishers and Game Fishing Clubs since 1974
GFAV is affiliated with the Game Fishing Association of Australia (GFAA) and the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA). There are currently 16 Victorian Fishing Clubs affiliated with the association, representing more than 630 Victorian Game Fishers.
We proudly represent these Game Fishers and affiliated Clubs through active dialogue with the Victorian recreational fishing peak body (VRFish), Victoria Fishing Authority (VFA) and nationally via the Game Fishing Association of Australia (GFAA). We are a strong, recognised and important voice when it comes the rights of anglers and the upholding of the sports rules and regulations related to fishing competitions and tag and release programs.
GFAV is managed by an Executive Committee and Council (which is comprised of delegates from all member Clubs). Council Meetings are held several times per year. Council meetings are open to all anglers affiliated with GFAV through their local fishing Club, and we encourage these anglers to be part of these meetings.
GFAV OBJECTIVES
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To govern and coordinate the sport of game fishing in the State of Victoria
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To affiliate with the Game Fishing Association of Australia and with the International Game Fishing Association
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To conserve the game fish and food fish resources of Victorian waters for the recreational and economic use of present and future generations
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To encourage and further the study of game fish angling, the related species and the habitat requirements of such species and to assist in the maintenance of the ecological balance of waters
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To formulate and support fair, uniform and ethical angling rules
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To compile and maintain State records for the heaviest angling catches for men, women and juniors in all line divisions approved by the Association for each species recognised by the Association as a game fish and game shark and fished for by a substantial number of anglers or distributed over a wide area of waters; and to adjudicate such record claims
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To represent the interests of recreational game fishermen within the Association's capacity for the time being at any meeting at which the future of the game fish population is being discussed or otherwise determined
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To assist and participate in domestic and international game fish seminars and symposiums where the expertise, data and purposes of this Association may be helpful in assisting other organisations with similar objectives
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To analyse the pressure of recreational fishing and commercial fishing for the various game fish species
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To act as a data accumulation centre for fishing results and make such information available to governments and others for the furtherance of education in the wise use of conservation of species
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To accumulate and maintain a history of game fishing for the use and benefit of present and future generations
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To develop and support fish tagging programs and other specific data collection evidence.
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To disseminate information and knowledge of scientific studies of commercial and game fish to member Associations and clubs and other parties in Australia or elsewhere
GFAV HISTORY
After discussions between the then presidents of the three game fishing clubs in Victoria; Ian Cutler of the Swordfish and Tunny Club of Australia, Roy Fisher of the South Gippsland Game Fishing Club and Dick Stumbles of the Victorian Game Fishing Club, it was decided that a Victorian Game Fishing Association be established.
The inaugural meeting of GFAV was held at Ian Cutler's residence on November 16th,1976.
Representatives from each club were:
Swordfish and Tunny Club of Australia
Messrs Ian Cutler, Peter McNamara and Leo Tyquin who was an observer and minute secretary
South Gippsland Game Fishing Club
Messrs Roy Fisher and Graham Mayberry
Victorian Game Fishing Club
Messrs Dick Stumbles, Keith (Dolly) Gray, Charles Gibling and Bob Ellis
It was recorded that the following number of club members were declared to GFAV at 30 June 1976.
Swordfish and Tunny Club of Australia - 66
South Gippsland Game Fishing Club - 30
Victorian Game Fishing Club - 187
It was unanimously agreed that C I Cutler (Ian) act as chairman for the first meeting.
Representation was based on GFAA affiliation.
Swordfish and Tunny Club of Australia – 2
South Gippsland Game Fishing Club – 1
Victorian Game Fishing Club – 4
Each member (being a club) shall be entitled to one (1) delegate to the association for each fifty (50) financial members or part of fifty (50) financial members to a maximum of four (4) delegates per club. A meeting of such delegates shall constitute the council of the association.
The constitution for the association was prepared by Ian Cutler and Dolly Gray. The signatories to the constitution were Messrs Ian Cutler, Peter McNamara, Charles Gibling, Keith Gray, Roy Fisher.
The rules and regulations of the Game Fishing Association of Victoria (GFAV) are intended to complement both the capture and Tag & Release of game fish in Victoria waters and should be read in conjunction with ‘The Official GFAA Game Fishing Journal’ published by the Game Fishing Association of Australia (GFAA).
QUICK LINKS
In support of anglers and Clubs, here's a tackle box full of resources you can use to support your fishing.
