The Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, welcomed Environment Minister Tony Burke’s decision to reject Seafish Tasmania’s proposal to use the controversial super trawler Margiris as a factory ‘mothership’.
Mr Wilkie said the decision to block Seafish’s plan was a victory for common sense.
“Tony Burke has clearly made the right decision in this case,” Mr Wilkie said. “This proposal was always fraught with environmental, social and economic concerns and the Minister’s decision confirms that.”
“All Tasmanians can breathe a sigh of relief that the super trawler is off the agenda for the foreseeable future.
“Now the focus should turn to the problems with fisheries management in Australia, and in particular the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, more research on relevant fish stocks and legislative reform to permanently ban super trawlers from Australian waters.”
Andrew Wilkie, MP, Independent Member for Denison
