The Tasmanian Greens today raised concerns about serious flaws in the Federal Government’s consultation process concerning the future operation of super trawlers in Australian waters.
Greens Fisheries spokesperson Kim Booth MP today released a letter from the Victorian Government minister responsible for fisheries, Peter Walsh, indicating that the Minister, like many in the community, believed that a two-year ban on super trawlers had been put in place by the Environment Minister Tony Burke.
Mr Booth said Australians need to know that Minister Burke will stand by his commitment given that a decision was imminent on whether the super trawler will be allowed to operate right now, while an expert panel makes carries out a review of the EPBC Act lasting up to two years.
“This letter shows that even the Victorian Minister in charge of fisheries believed that a two year moratorium was in place for super trawlers in Australian waters, when in fact the Minister could lift the ban any day now.”
“The fact that a State Government Minister was in the dark highlights to the inadequacy of the consultation process and the lack of transparency around the review currently being undertaken by Minister Burke.”
“The super trawler should not be allowed to operate until we have the science that would give us the confidence that it wouldn’t’ impact on fisheries and local ecosystem.
“Moreover we need to ensure that fisheries legislation is updated to include the precautionary principle rather than a wait and assess the damages approach. “
“Greens are continuing to receive signed petitions opposing the super trawler, demonstrating that the community is ready to rise up once again to defend the ocean from this marauder.”
“Mr Burke needs to hold his nerve in the face of intensive lobbying from the industry and deliver on his public commitment, or else he himself will become the focus of another storm of public outrage.”
• Kim Booth, Tuesday: Community prepared to rise up again to stop super trawlers
The Tasmanian Greens today called on Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to honour his commitment for a two year ban on super trawlers in Commonwealth waters, warning that failure to do so will see Tasmanians reactivate the campaign against super trawlers.
Greens Primary Industries spokesperson Kim Booth MP said many Australians were unaware that the current review into the operation of the super trawler Abel Tasman, formerly the FV Margiris, could see the vessel fishing in Australian waters immediately.
“This is a call to arms to the entire Australian community to once again be prepared to reactivate the campaign against super trawlers in Australian waters,” Mr Booth said.
“A decision is imminent on whether the super trawler at Port Lincoln should be allowed to operate right now, while an expert panel carries out a review of the EPBC Act lasting up to two years.”
“Tasmanians campaigned hard to put this issue on to the national agenda, and it appears that we may once again have to put the pressure on Minister Burke, to ensure he keeps his promise of a two year ban on super trawlers.”
“It would be a massive mistake at this point for Minister Burke to capitulate to the demands of some in the industry to allow these marine ecosystem wreckers into our waters.”
“Mr Burke must now publicly refuse any permit for super trawlers to operate in Australian waters until the two year period as promised.”
• Joe Ludwig: Refreshing Australian fisheries for the long term
