LABOR HAS GUTTED INLAND FISHERIES

The Tasmanian Greens today exposed that the Inland Fisheries Service (IFS) has been cut to the extent that there are now only three field officers operating on the ground statewide, with the north-west being cut back to just one field officer who is not provided a vehicle and has to operate without immediate back-up.

Greens Braddon candidate, Paul O’Halloran described the situation as a disgrace, saying that the cuts made by the Bartlett government are having devastating consequences for species such as whitebait and the freshwater lobster, both of which are falling prey to increased poaching.

Mr O’Halloran also called on the State government to confirm that there are currently only 26 IFS staff in Tasmania, consisting of:

4 field officers, one of whom is the office manager and is office-bound;
6 managers;
14 office staff;
1 hatchery manager;
1 carp control officer.

“Labor has gutted the Inland Fisheries Service to the extent that the north-west has only one Inland Fisheries officer on the ground, without a car and without back-up. This is a disgraceful dereliction of duty by the Bartlett government,” Mr O’Halloran said.”

“It is my understanding that statewide there are only four field officers left, one of whom is office bound as the office manager, which is a woefully inadequate number to maintain our freshwater fisheries.”
“There are serious concerns that due to the lack of officers on the ground that there has been an increase in poaching of freshwater lobster, spawning trout and also of whitebait, which is escalating out of control.”

“Labor needs to confirm that with approximately 26, 000 licence holders, the IFS revenue is 10 per cent of its outgoing costs, and therefore there should be sufficient funds to ensure adequate staffing and resourcing of this vital service.”

“This important industry plays a role in our tourism, environment and primary industry sectors, and the Tasmanian government should be investing in its protection and economic development. Six years ago the new Zealand industry was worth $150 million to the economy, while at the same time the Tasmanian industry was worth $4 million per annum.”

“The lack of on-ground resources means that policing is now reactive instead of proactive, as demonstrated by the recent example of the introduced yabbie. We are seeing flora and fauna being compromised by the gutting of the IFS, and increased degradation of our waterways through increased littering,” Mr O’Halloran said.
Paul O’Halloran Greens Candidate for Braddon