Three generations of Tasmanians have come together in a video to highlight how important the state’s coastal lifestyle and recreational fishing is. The video will tomorrow be sent to Tasmanian Liberal Senators and Prime Minster Tony Abbott to urge them to support a permanent ban on all supertrawlers at a federal level.

The Stop The Trawler Alliance said the video was organised following an out-pouring of concern from families across the state and country about the domino effect supertrawlers could have environmentally, economically and socially if allowed into Australian waters.

Tasmanian Liberal Senators Richard Colbeck and Eric Abetz appear to be among the few remaining to not support a permanent ban on supertrawlers. Tasmanian Liberal leader Will Hodgman has written to the Alliance committing his party to legislate for a permanent ban on supertrawlers if elected on Saturday.

The video features images of three generations of Tasmanians and Australians and their lives on the coast and on the water. The photos have been adapted to form the film clip of a song written by local musician Cam Tapp about the passion Tasmanians have for their oceans and marine life.

Rebecca Hubbard from the Stop The Trawler Alliance said it was apparent that Senators Richard Colbeck and Eric Abetz appear to be the only Tasmanian Liberals remaining in the way of a permanent ban on supertrawlers, which the majority of Tasmanians are seeking.

“Nothing less than legislation to permanently ban all supertrawlers from Australia’s waters will satisfy the overwhelming public opposition to these awful fish factories,” Ms Hubbard said.

Ms Hubbard said Mr Hodgman’s election promise will be hollow if the federal Liberal Party now does not follow through and legislate to permanently ban all supertrawlers.

“Tasmanian Liberal Senators continue to champion supertrawlers in Australia’s waters. The Prime Ministers recent statement in Parliament that the supertrawler Margiris will remain banned is not enough to protect the breeding and feeding grounds of our fish for the future. All eyes are on the Prime Minister to end any doubt and legislate to permanently ban all supertrawlers,” she said.

The Stop the Trawler Alliance includes the Tuna Club of Tasmania, Environment Tasmania, Game Fish Tasmania, TasFish Tasmanian Fishing News, Launceston Environment Centre, the St Helens Gamefishing Club, and Sea Charter Boat Operators of Tasmania.

View the film clip at http://www.stopthetrawler.net/
Stop The Trawler Alliance