The tri-partisan support given for a permanent ban on all supertrawlers in both state and federal waters in the lead up to Tasmania’s election now needs to be delivered.
“Tasmania’s marine environment, fisheries and fishers are positively set to welcome a permanent ban on all super trawlers in Tasmanian and Australian waters after Saturday’s election results. It is a must to start rebuilding the confidence for game fishers to continue to invest into Tasmania’s game fishing industry,” said Nobby Clark of Game Fish Tasmania.
“The Liberal Party’s commitment to ban super trawlers from transiting and berthing in Tasmanian waters, and to seek a permanent ban at national level, now needs to be delivered.
“We are calling on Tasmania’s new Premier Will Hodgman to write to the Prime Minister as a matter of priority seeking the introduction of legislation this year to permanently ban supertrawlers from Australian waters, before the temporary ban runs out in November,” concluded Mr Clark.
“The Stop the Trawler Alliance and many thousands of Tasmanians who pushed the political parties for their support are now ready to see action to protect our fisheries and marine life from the destruction of supertrawlers,” said Rebecca Hubbard, Marine Coordinator of Environment Tasmania.
The Federal Court recently dismissed the case by Seafish Tasmania to review the temporary supertrawler ban, legislated by then Federal Minister for the Environment, Tony Burke. Seafish is now appealing that outcome.
“It is clear from Seafish’s appeal of the Federal Court decision not to overturn the temporary ban, that they are still dead-set on bringing back a supertrawler to Australia, despite their assurances to Government that they won’t bring back the Margiris.
“We have just nine months left to secure protection for our fisheries and local industries before the two-year ban ends, and it is critical that Tasmania’s new Premier Will Hodgman now calls on Prime Minister Abbott to permanently ban industrial supertrawlers from Australian waters,” concluded Ms Hubbard.
The Stop the Trawler Alliance is an alliance of over twenty international, national and state fishing and environment organisations. Over 3,000 Australians have written individual emails to their Federal Members of Parliament calling for a permanent ban in three weeks.
Nobby Clark, Rebecca Hubbard
