Victorians will be able to buy freshly caught fish from boats, piers and cafes in coastal towns such as Mallacoota, San Remo and Apollo Bay for the first time in decades as part of a state government initiative to boost the availability of local seafood.

The trial allows two-dozen fishers to sell hook-and-line-caught fish directly to the public, fishmongers and restaurants in their areas, creating an exemption from a long-running prohibition against “taking fish for sale”.

Mallacoota fisherman Jason York has been issued a licence to catch fish to sell to Mallacoota and surrounding communities. Credit:Rachel Mounsey

Food safety concerns have been cited for the long prohibition on fishers selling directly to restaurants or the public, so most fish available for purchase has come through the wholesale markets in Melbourne.

Under the new law, permit holders, many of whom work seasonal jobs as divers, lobstermen or fishing tour operators, can take up to two tonnes per year of popular species such as snapper, whiting, flathead, calamari, salmon, striped tuna and several species of shark.