Trial for yabbie fishing

Under a new permit system overseen by the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA), residents can now collect and sell yabbies as fishing bait.
The VFA move will be tested over a two-year trial period, starting September 1, in an attempt to counteract the current rising demand for bait in the angler community.
The concept is being marketed heavily towards children, an approach that tackle shops across regional areas have praised, for bringing children back to "grassroots country" pastimes.
Gippsland is home to a variety yabbies, in Baw Baw most prominently the Cherax destructor Common yabby, and the protected Warragul Burrowing Crayfish.
Anyone can apply for a trial permit, with no minimum age requirement enforced. While an annual fee applies, applicants under the age of 18 are exempt from charge.
Permits can be obtained by applying to the VFA's licensing portal. Permit holders will be sanctioned to collect live freshwater yabbies, at a cap of 250 per day. Permit holders will be allowed to possess or transport a limit of 500, and sales to anglers or bait and tackle stores will be required to have a corresponding receipt.
Permit holders are restricted to using a maximum of 10 recreational hoop nets, open-top lift nets, or a combination of both.
While the trial includes farm dams, permit holders must obtain explicit permission from landholders before entering or fishing in any private waters.
The VFA may refuse applications for specific public waters if there are too many applicants for one area. This aims to prevent overcrowding, protect the sustainability of the yabby population, and avoid interfering with existing license holders.
Only hookless, baited line, and top lift style or hoop nets can be used. Opera nets remain banned in all Victorian waters, public and private.
All nets must have a tag attached that remains above the water's surface. The tag must clearly display the permit holder's full name and permit number. While lines can be used anywhere, nets are only permitted in permitted waterways, as listed on the permit requirements online.
Out of the 11 outlined waterways listed, Gippslanders are included in two local area, being the Latrobe and Tarra rivers.
To apply for a permit, head to: https://vfa.vic.gov.au/recreational-fishing/bait-freshwater-yabby-permit-trial