Greens spokesperson for Fisheries, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson responds to the contradictory policy messages the Liberal Government is sending over the super trawler.
Today Prime Minister Tony Abbott stood in the House of Representatives and responded to a question about the super trawler. He said, “It was banned, it will stay banned.”
Senator Whish-Wilson said, “Just last week in Senate Estimates I asked for updates on the super trawler and the small pelagic fisheries policy, and Senator Colbeck made no mention of any policy changes.
“The Environment Department informed me then that the process for the Expert Scientific Panel was on-track for a decision by October this year. Depending on their recommendations the super trawler will be able to come back.
“This assessment process has been backed by Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Richard Colbeck until now.
“Have they made a political decision on the fate of the super trawler and will they now change legislation so that the Small Pelagic Fisheries Declaration provides for a permanent ban on super trawlers?
“The Government needs to urgently clarify its position on the status of the ban and what this means for other proposals for large freezer vessels (not currently classified as super trawlers) and trans-shipment,” Senator Whish-Wilson concluded.
Greens spokesperson for Fisheries, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson
