Govt. allows massive fishing trawler to take what they want

[Rorschach]

Coalition opposed to super trawler ban
September 12, 2012 - 12:33PM
David Wroe and Jessica Wright

The government's push for a two-year ban on the controversial Abel Tasman supertrawler faces a stormy ride in the Parliament with the Coalition opposing the legislation and the former Labor MP Craig Thomson expressing reservations.

After Coalition MPs met this morning to discuss their position, shadow environment spokesman Greg Hunt told the Parliament that the Opposition would vote against the bill, which would effectively ban the supertrawler for up to two years while further scientific work can be done to assess its environmental impact.

Mr Thomson - who now sits on the crossbench - told the National Times that he was "currently in discussion" with the government and would not elaborate on his voting intentions.

Environment Minister Tony Burke is concerned that the 142-metre Dutch-owned trawler - formerly known as the Margiris - poses a risk to sea life such as dolphins, seals and sea birds by fishing for prolonged periods in the same area.

The bill would also give the environment and fisheries ministers the power to intervene if other super trawlers or new types of fishing activities create ''uncertainty about the environmental, social or economic impacts of the fishing activity''.

Mr Hunt said this part of the bill meant the ministers could unilaterally intervene in future whenever there was ''the smallest objection raised by opponents of fishing''.

The Coalition would move an amendment in the Senate for enhanced ''move on'' provisions that would limit the amount of fish the trawler could catch in any one area.

Independent MP Rob Oakeshott said he was unlikely to vote for the bill. He told ABC Radio his concerns were not about jobs or sovereign risk, but supporting the scientific work of the Fisheries Management Authority.

"There's an easy populist campaign run against a big boat that looks like its going to do big and bad things," Mr Oakeshott said.

"So I'm unlikely to support it based on this attack on science."

If Mr Oakeshott votes against the bill, the government will need Mr Thomson's vote. Queensland independent Bob Katter and NSW independent Tony Windsor are still examining the bill, though both are expected to vote with the government.

Greens Leader Christine Milne said communities would be disappointed about the Coalition's decision to vote against the bill.

"I'm not surprised, because Eric Abetz and Richard Colbeck from Tasmania have been leading the charge to support the super trawler," Senator Milne told reporters in Canberra.

"I know that Australians right around the country, environmentalists and recreational fishers alike, are all saying they just don't want this huge vacuum cleaner of the sea operating in Australian waters."

Senator Milne said the Greens would continue their campaign to stop the super trawler for good, not just stall it for two years.

Tasmanian Coalition senator Eric Abetz told ABC TV that Australia had the best fisheries management system in the world and that Mr Burke had "trashed the science."

Also this morning, Mr Burke said he was confident his decision to ban the super trawler will withstand any potential legal challenge.

Seafish Tasmania director Gerry Geen says his company is bitterly disappointed by the decision that will cost 50 jobs, and is now examining legal options.

Mr Burke said this morning the vessel had not had any fish quotas assigned to it, so it was not a case of the company having its rights stripped.

''Our advice is we're on pretty strong ground here,'' the minister said. ''But I'll leave it to lawyers to argue that out.''

with Judith Ireland

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The Coalition would move an amendment in the Senate for enhanced ''move on'' provisions that would limit the amount of fish the trawler could catch in any one area.

They have no intention of imposing a ban obviously. The Bill asking for a 2 year ban is at least a step in the right direction and there can be changes made during that time. Once the trawler starts dredging the ocean floors - it can't be undone.

Independent MP Rob Oakeshott said he was unlikely to vote for the bill. He told ABC Radio his concerns were not about jobs or sovereign risk, but supporting the scientific work of the Fisheries Management Authority.

What scientific work? The same work that the Japanese do when they slaughter whales? What a farce.

[Rorschach]

I agree with most of that except the politically biased assumption.

[Rorschach]

Don't Panic!!! (For those with literary taste).

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