Greens Leader and Primary Industries spokesperson Kim Booth MP has urged tripartite support for the Greens’ call – to be voted on today – to send a formal objection to the Federal Minister over the new factory freezer supertrawler’s, the Geelong Star, operation in the small pelagic fishery in light of shocking revelations that on its first fishing expedition in Australian waters it killed four dolphins and two seals.
“This non-target species marine mammal mortality is unacceptable,” Greens Leader Kim Booth MP said.
“This has furthered the Greens’ resolve that the state parliament must prevent a united tripartite position to the Commonwealth calling for an end to this mega factory freezer’s operation, just as Tasmania stood its ground to head off the FV Magiris two years ago.”
“We will be putting before the Assembly today our motion, which if passed, will require the Speaker to write formally to the Federal Minister opposing the latest super trawler intrusion into the Australian small pelagic fishery.”
“The deaths of these four dolphins and two seals during the Geelong Star’s first fishing expedition in Australian waters exposes the half-truths peddled by its supporters that this is a benign and controllable fishing method. Its activity must cease, and tomorrow’s debate will provide all three Parties in the Assembly to stand up and say enough is enough, we don’t buy it, its not acceptable, and this supertrawler is not welcome,” Mr Booth said.
In 2012, the Greens successfully secured tripartite support for a motion opposing the Margiris’ operation which saw then Speaker Michael Polley write on behalf of the Assembly to then Federal Minister Joe Ludwig.
Text of Greens’ motion to be voted upon today:
That the House:
1. Notes the previous tripartite position voted upon by this place on the 22 August 2012, responding to the serious community concerns over the impact of the previous factory freezer super trawler, the FV Margiris would have if allowed to operate in Australian waters to fish the small pelagic fishery;
2. Acknowledges the equally serious concerns held by local Tasmanian recreational and commercial fishing communities to the proposed new industrial factory freezer supertrawler, the Geelong Star, and its operation in the small pelagic fishery where it has a quota of 16, 500 tonnes of local fish stock;
3. Notes these concerns include, but are not limited to, localised depletion and its impact upon other species including the endangered bluefin tuna;
4. Notes the Geelong Star will be ported in Geelong and will not provide local jobs;
5. Acknowledges the fishing in Commonwealth waters and the setting of quota in those waters is the responsibility of Federal authorities, yet also notes and welcomes the recent public statement made by the current Victorian State Agriculture Minister, the Hon. Jaala Pulford, on the 22nd of March this year, in which she states, “I am very concerned about the proposed commercial fishing operations of the Super Trawler – the Geelong Star, in the Commonwealth’s Small Pelagic Fishery (SPF). I have voiced these concerns directly with Commonwealth Senator, Richard Colbeck” and further, “a precautionary approach should be taken by the Commonwealth.”;
6. Agrees it is an appropriate role of State Parliament’s to stand up for local communities and represent their best interests to the Commonwealth;
7. Reiterates its commitment to the need for a balanced approach between the needs of a sustainable commercial fishing industry, access for recreational fishers and appropriate marine conservation outcomes; and
8. Requests the Speaker to write to the Federal Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the Hon. Barnaby Joyce and the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Senator Richard Colbeck, to advise that the House will not support the Geelong Star, or any other factory freezer trawler, operating in Australian waters and waters around Tasmania, as the Parliament’s concerns over the adverse risk presented by the vessel and the proposed harvest strategy to the fishery have yet to be adequately addressed.
Reference: Environmental alliance angered at Geelong Star’s dolphin and seal kill | smh.com.au
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