Super trawler cleared to go fishing!
THE controversial super trawler Margiris could be fishing in Australian waters within days after being given the green light by the Environment Minister, Tony Burke, although it will face strict conditions to protect ocean life.
The 142-metre Dutch-owned trawler, which arrived in Australia last week and was greeted by protests by environmental activists, faces only routine hurdles before it can begin fishing for redbait and jack mackerel in waters off Tasmania.
Seafish Tasmania has been given a licence to catch 18,000 tonnes of fish - about 5 per cent of the total stocks in the area, which stretches from southern Queensland around Tasmania and across to Western Australia.
The Margiris is banned from working in sea lion hunting grounds and must operate a 24-hour underwater camera on the ''catch excluder'', which is supposed to eject dolphins and large marine creatures that are accidentally caught.
An observer from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority will be aboard the trawler permanently. If the Margiris kills one or more dolphins, or three or more seals, it must stop fishing, consult with the observer about improving its methods, and move 50 nautical miles away.
Mr Geen said these were measures Seafish Tasmania planned to take anyway. He could not rule out some deaths of dolphins, seals and birds but said the super trawler would take the strictest measures to avoid them.
Greenpeace oceans campaigner Nathaniel Pelle said it was now up to the Fisheries Minister, Joe Ludwig, to stop the boat.
''No conditions can hide the fact that this is an oversized, oversubsidied ship from a European fleet that is swinging a wrecking ball through fisheries all over the world,'' he said.
Greens marine spokesperson Peter Whish-Wilson is calling on his Tasmanian Labor and Liberal colleagues to support a motion to stop the super trawler.
“If Minister Tony Burke hasn’t got the spine to stand up for the marine environment, and to take on the Dutch Super trawler to stop it from operating in Australian waters, then the parliament must take direct action,” Senator Whish-Wilson said today in a statement.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/super-trawler-cleared-to-go-fishing-20120903-25anf.html#ixzz3D93Hs...
There's no stopping the barstools is there? They waited out the 2 years ban and now they're back.
