2The Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, has revealed concerns about the legitimacy of the Geelong Star fishing in Australian waters that include allegations the freezer factory ship’s operator helped set its catch quota.

Mr Wilkie has written to the Commonwealth Ombudsman with the concerns on the eve of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority Commission meeting in Canberra tomorrow to decide the next Small Pelagic Fishery quota that starts this Friday 1 May.

Mr Wilkie is aware of a serious complaint to AFMA that contains the conflict of interest allegation, as well as issues with process and possible instances of AFMA ignoring scientific advice from its sub committees.

The source of this information is within AFMA and Mr Wilkie has seen a copy of the document this person has put to the Authority.

“I’ve asked the Ombudsman to investigate the allegations that include that a director of Seafish Tasmania – the operator of the Geelong Star – was allowed to participate in the process of setting the recommended Total Allowable Catch for the fishery,’’ Mr Wilkie said. “If this is correct, it’s like putting the fox in charge of the hen house and leaves a huge question mark hanging over the fishing quota and legitimacy of the Geelong Star fishing in Australian waters.’’

Mr Wilkie said the allegations about AFMA’s process in setting quotas were very concerning considering the authority’s recent history and would leave many Australians questioning the management of Australia’s precious fisheries.

In 2012 Mr Wilkie reported similar concerns to the Commonwealth Ombudsman about AFMA’s setting of the quota relevant to Seafish Tasmania’s previous vessel, the super trawler Margiris.

The Ombudsman found that AFMA did not follow the law when the South East Management Advisory Committee finalised its recommendation for the quota relevant to the Margiris.

In particular the Ombudsman found that one of the members of that committee had a financial conflict of interest but was allowed to remain in, and contribute to, discussions about the quota.

As a direct result of the 2012 Ombudsman’s investigation, AFMA said it had undertaken remedial and corrective steps to address the substantive issues arising from Mr Wilkie’s complaint.

“These steps appear not to have worked,’’ Mr Wilkie said. “I’m getting a bad sense of déjà vu. If a director of Seafish Tasmania has been allowed to help set the fishing quota for his own vessel, then AFMA has learned nothing from the Ombudsman’s findings.

“In the circumstances I believe AFMA has no option but to suspend the current and next year’s quotas until the Ombudsman has fully investigated this matter.’’

Please find attached a copy of Mr Wilkie’s letter to the Commonwealth Ombudsman.
Andrew Wilkie, Independent Member for Denison