TRAWLER FORUM SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED
As Campaign Grows to Turn Back the Trawler
Paul O’Halloran MP
Greens Member for Braddon
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
The Tasmanian Greens today announced a speaking list for this Sunday’s “Turn Back the Super Trawler” forum in Devonport.
Greens Member for Braddon, and host of the forum, Paul O’Halloran MP said the speakers represented a cross section of expertise and community concern, from the recreational fishing sector, industry, tourism, conservation and scientific communities.
“We have brought together a broad cross section of experts and community representatives to try to shed some more light on what kind of impact the super trawler will have,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“We know that the science used to increase the quota is out of date, and we know that there is a very real and serious risk of localised over-depletion of fish stocks.”
“This is an issue where the local fishing community and the Greens stand shoulder to shoulder, because we all recognise that industrial-scale over fishing simply can’t continue.”
“Tasmania’s lucrative clean and green brand is once again under threat from an unsustainable and self interested industry, so it’s no surprise that tourism entrepreneurs and fishing charter operators are also coming out in opposition.”
“Our offices have been inundated with calls, visits and emails from people concerned that this ship is going to put too much pressure on our fish stocks and on the fishing community that depends on them.”
“There are now serious questions regarding the science behind the recent doubling of the Commonwealth catch limit, and about the capacity of this ship to vacuum up massive amounts of fish from a small area.”
“Given the level of anger and concern in the community over this issue, we’re expecting a strong turnout. For those who can’t make it, we’ll be setting up a live web-based video stream,” Mr O’Halloran said.
Speaking List:
• Paul O’Halloran MP, Greens Member for Braddon (Forum Host)
• Kim Booth MP, Greens Primary Industries spokesperson
• John Edwards, recreational fisherman (Forum MC)
• Robert Penicott, Penicott Wilderness Journeys
• Mark Nikolai, Executive Officer of TARfish
• Jon Bryan, Tasmanian Conservation Trust
• Neil “Nobby” Clark, President, Tuna Club of Tasmania
• Brett Cleary, Tasmanian Game Fishing Association
Event Details:
Venue: Reece High School, Devonport
Date: Sunday, 8 July 2012
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TurnAwayTheSuperTrawler
Web stream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/tasmanian-greens
