The Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, is meeting Tasmania’s fishing community as it prepares to rally next Sunday to stop another super trawler from fishing in our waters.
“The super trawler, recently re-flagged and renamed Geelong Star, has arrived in Australia apparently with the blessing of the Federal Government but undoubtedly against the will of the vast majority of the Australian community,’’ Mr Wilkie said.
“The Geelong Star is 95m long, can hold 1,000 tonnes of fish and is the largest factory freezer vessel to fish in the Australian Small Pelagic Fishery. It represents a dramatic and alarming increase in the industrialisation of Australia’s commercial fishing.’’
Mr Wilkie will meet Tasmania’s fishing community today as it prepares rallies across Tasmania next weekend to stop the super trawler.
“The community stopped the last super trawler and once the Federal Government sees the level of concern it should send this one packing too,’’ Mr Wilkie said.
“I am concerned the Geelong Star will deplete local fish stock and impact recreational fishing and other marine life including dolphins, seals and large sea birds.
“Moreover there remain serious doubts about the data on fish stock and just how significant the effect would be of a vessel of this size. I am advised there has been only limited additional research since the Margiris was banned in 2012.
“Concerns have also been raised with me over the operators of the Geelong Star. I note the allegation that some people associated with the vessel, at least historically, have been prosecuted for illegal fishing in other parts of the world.’’
To meet the Government’s current ban on super trawlers, vessels have to be more than 130 metres in length.
“But it is capacity that matters, not length,’’ Mr Wilkie said.
“The Geelong Star, the latest freezer factory ship to be mooted to work Australia’s fishery, would be the largest fishing vessel to operate close to Australia for 20 years and is every bit as bad as the Margiris.’’
Independent Member for Denison Andrew Wilkie
