Fishing on Gippsland Lakes in Victoria's east has become a hot election topic ahead of next month's state election.
Premier Daniel Andrews has come out on the side of recreational fishers, saying Labor will ban commercial net fishing on the lakes.
Recreational fishing groups say net fishing is bad for fish stocks in the 350 square kilometres of lakes and estuaries near Lakes Entrance.
But this argument is rejected by the commercial fishers, who are devastated by the decision, saying there is no evidence their operations have caused a depletion of fish in the lakes.
Mr Andrews told Channel 31's Talking Fishing last night the Government planned to do a compulsory buyout of the 10 commercial licences, if it wins next month's election.
"We think the time for commercial netting in the Gippsland Lakes is over," Mr Andrews said.
"We are going to move to compulsorily buy back those licences … they don't work for the environment, they don't work for recreational fishers."
He said it would benefit recreational fishers and the Gippsland tourism industry.
"Those local communities and recreational fishers who travel down to that beautiful part of our state are entitled to that body of water," Mr Andrews said.
"That fishery [is] owned by all of us and [shouldn't be] captive to the commercial interest of a very few number of people."
Commercial netters have fished the Gippsland Lakes since the late 1800s, and has been an important industry in the East Gippsland region.
Fifth-generation Gippsland Lakes fisherman Gary Leonard said he was gutted by the Government's decision.
"It's something I've been doing for 30 years and my family's been doing it for a hell of a lot longer," Mr Leonard said.
He said consumers would also suffer as it would reduce the supply of locally caught fish.
"If this trend continues there will be no Victorian fish for Victorians to eat."
Mr Leonard also feared it could lead to an economic downturn in the region.
"There's going to be a lot of devastated families around Lakes [Entrance] and they probably won't hang around because there's no other employment," he said.
The Nationals' Member for East Gippsland Tim Bull said it would offer voluntary buyouts; the same policy the Opposition announced in 2014.
"Voluntary buyouts have been successful in the past in reducing the number of commercials and reducing catch effort," Mr Bull said.
Mr Bull said after the 2014 announcement several commercial lakes fishermen said they would take up the offer.
Mr Leonard said the way the Premier announced the end to commercial netting in his fishery was a "gutless act".
"They know that they're doing the wrong thing so they decided to go and try and get as much support as they could on a recreational fishing show before it hit the mainstream," Mr Leonard said.
"It's very cowardly, the way they've acted."
The commitment comes in a wave of promises for recreational fishers.
Both sides said they would reinvest boating and fishing fees back into infrastructure and get rid of fees for boat ramping and parking.
Premier Daniel Andrews travelled to the marginal bayside seat of Mordialloc for the announcement, saying it would encourage more families to get involved in fishing.
"Ultimately this is about getting kids off their screens and out fishing with Mum and Dad, with their mates," he said.
"It's about enjoying the beautiful environment that we have and making sure that it's fit for purpose."
The change would be a shift from a user-pays model to one where all taxpayers foot the bill.
Mr Andrews said compensation for the loss of income would be paid to the councils and management committees that maintain piers and jetties, at a cost of about $4 million a year.
