BirdLife Tasmania today expressed its absolute disgust in response to the news that the Tasmanian Government issues “licences to kill” Short-tailed Shearwaters (also known as Tasmanian Muttonbirds).
“What possible justification or defence can DPIPWE have for the licensing of three year olds to kill muttonbirds?” asked the Convenor, Dr Eric Woehler.
“The reality is that some mutton-birders were being greedy and wanting to take more than their licence allowed, so they used their children to take more birds. The worst thing is that DPIPWE approved such a strategy by issuing these licences.” Dr Woehler added.
“Clearly DPIPWE has lost control over the harvesting of muttonbirds in Tasmania when three year olds are “licenced to kill” he said.
“Is this a result of the Tasmanian Government’s much publicised efforts to remove “red and green tape”? Dr Woehler asked. “If so, this is nothing to be proud of, and will simply bring national and international scrutiny to the barbaric and unjustifiable practice of recreational mutton birding in Tasmania,” Dr Woehler concluded.
