TCT position on legal action in regard to the Tasmanian lobster fishery – correcting media misrepresentations
The Tasmanian Conservation Trust has been seriously misrepresented by a number of media outlets in relation to its position on the Tasmanian rock lobster fishery. It has been reported that the TCT is undertaking or planning legal action in the Federal Court to overturn EPBC Act export approval for the Tasmanian rock lobster fishery.
The TCT Director Peter McGlone clarified the TCT’s position by stating: “The TCT is not currently undertaking or planning legal action in regard to the Tasmanian lobster fishery.”
“All the TCT has done to date is to request a statement of reasons for the Commonwealth’s Decision and we will wait until we had these before deciding whether to take legal action.
“If the statement of reasons provides convincing arguments that satisfy the TCT that the law has been properly applied then we would be unlikely to take legal action.”
“The confusion over our position started when the TCT stated to a media outlet that ‘the TCT was considering legal action’ and this has been misrepresented as ‘undertaking or planning legal action’.”
The TCT’s Marine campaigner, Jon Bryan explained the concerns the TCT has regarding the management of the lobster fishery.
Mr Bryan said: “Years of inaction by the Tasmanian Government has threatened the sustainability of this important fishery. Overfishing of the large rock lobster that control the Centrostephanus urchin population has resulted in large areas of habitat being stripped bare of marine plants. These so called urchin barrens are not only an environmental disaster, they reduce numbers of rock lobster and abalone to such as extent that commercial fisheries are excluded.”
“Current management arrangements for the Tasmanian rock lobster fishery not only threaten Tasmania’s marine environment, they threaten much of the Tasmanian abalone fishery and the rock lobster fishery itself.
“EPBC fishery accreditation appears to require that fisheries are managed sustainably and that there is no unacceptable habitat damage. If the Tasmanian rock lobster industry is confident that it is being managed appropriately, then it should not be concerned by the prospect of a legal challenge to the export approval,” Mr Bryan concluded.
• SENATOR THE HON RICHARD COLBECK
Senator for Tasmania
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Forestry
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation, Industry and Science
M E D I A R E L E A S E
16 March 2012
PM and Premier put lobsters in hot water
The Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Premier Lara Giddings have a huge problem with their coalition partners. Together they are killing off jobs and employment in Tasmania – with Tasmania’s iconic Rock Lobster industry now in the firing line.
“This attack by a green group on the Tasmanian export lobster industry is the latest tragic example of the dysfunction that exists in the Labor – Green alliance,” Senator Richard Colbeck, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Forestry, said today.
“We have seen the effect of the green attack on Ta Ann and its international markets and now we see the same tactic being used on the Rock Lobster industry,”
“There is no doubt that the “legal threat” publicity stunt pulled yesterday was targeted at Tasmania’s high value export markets. Green groups know that these markets monitor media and are sensitive to bad publicity.”
“As usual the green groups tell us that “scientists” – but don’t name any – have “evidence” – but don’t give any – of the fishery being in decline. The real science shows it is in recovery!” Senator Colbeck said.
“Green groups know very well what the media reaction will be to the threat of legal action, it is part of a tried and tested campaign methodology. Don’t worry about the truth – just start a smear campaign and the damage is done.”
“These groups then make spurious links to issues that are not related to fishing at all. For example, they blame the lobster industry for the arrival of sea urchins. The arrival of the urchins has nothing to do with fishing effort and their distribution doesn’t match the Rock Lobster fishing areas. It’s just more convenient manipulation of the facts to suit their cause.”
“The Premier and Prime Minister have given the Greens a weapon to use against the forest sector with the IGA that was supposed to bring peace. Emboldened by their success, these groups have now turned their attention to other important Tasmanian resource based industries.”
“In the last twelve months, we have suffered green attacks on the forest industry, the Salmon industry, the Poppy industry, the mining industry and tourism and now we see attacks on the Rock Lobster industry, where will it stop?
“The situation is bizarre – we have the Greens telling markets that they are part of the Tasmanian Cabinet whilst doing their best with their green friends to kill off these markets and chase away investors. Then they gather around to congratulate themselves on the job they have done.”
“Meanwhile, Lara Giddings sits by as these people trash the reputation of Tasmania and its industries, creating a completely toxic investment environment.”
“It is time for the Premier in particular to act before the damage is irreversible,” Senator Colbeck said
