Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke says the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act will be updated to deal with super trawlers.
THE Abel Tasman has been banned from fishing in Commonwealth waters until more research on its impact is undertaken -- a process expected to take two years.
The announcement by Environment Minister Tony Burke comes just days before the reflagged Dutch ship was set to leave Port Lincoln, in South Australia, to start trawling in the Great Australian Bight.
The eleventh-hour intervention comes as the public opposition to Seafish Tasmania's long-held plans to trawl for jack mackerel and redbait off Tasmania, Western Australia and Queensland continues to grow.
Another anti-trawler rally had been planned for the lawns of State Parliament in Hobart this weekend.
Mr Burke today announced the Federal Government would create legislation allowing it to stop the super trawler from fishing until an expert panel conducted an assessment.
That panel will report directly to Mr Burke and Fisheries Minister Joe Ludwig.
"Until this panel has reported on its assessment, the declared fishing activity will be prohibited. It's expected that process would take around two years," Mr Burke said.
He indicated it was the groundswell of opposition from many Labor politicians, recreational fishers, commercial fishers and the wider public which allowed him to push the case to be given stronger powers under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
Mr Burke last week imposed strict new conditions on the operation of the vessel, formerly known as the Margiris, but Seafish Tasmania indicated it could still fish under the new guidelines, which were focused on protecting dolphins and seals.
While the public debate about the super trawler began in earnest just two months ago, Seafish Tasmania has been working on its jack mackerel and redbait trawling project for seven years.
Another super trawler, the Veronica, was knocked back just over seven years ago, environmentalists said yesterday.
Greenpeace congratulated the Federal Government for showing the courage to prevent the Abel Tasman from fishing in our waters.
The group hailed it as a victory for the Australian community, which had united to reject the "monster ship".
"This is what happens when we all stand together," Greenpeace spokesman Ben Pearson said.
Good news...BUT...don't think this anything more than a political decision.
Burke has let this play out until he could sail in as a environmental hero and show his green credentials...it is Labor trying to win back some of the green vote.
It has conveniently also taken some of the focus off marine parks during the final days of public submissions.
An Mr Burke..................................... Well now that the Trawler might be banned i'll feel alot safer diving on the Rotto Trench now seeing there will be no risk of being scooped up by the net :P
I wonder how much of my taxes these idiots have blown with this grandstanding excersize. this is so embarrasing it's not funny. Nice moves you feral green radical turds I can see the play here.
Agree with the comments, labour must have given the trawler owners the idea it was going to go ahead and then with public outcry decided we are going to be even more unpopular and canned it. Seems like a political stunt to get people on-side.
Liberals and the independents are planning to block it. Citing it as a 'Trojan horse' and not democratic. Australian politics must be the laughing stock of the advanced world. Anyone seen the federal debt lately?
Jody
Posts: 1578
Date Joined: 19/04/07
media
Heard the Tony and the fisheries minister break the news at a media conference while at the traffic lights.
Not sure what the other drivers made of all the whoops of joy
TWiZTED
Leemo
Posts: 3712
Date Joined: 22/02/07
Just heard it at work,
Just heard it at work, Yipee!
Give it a week, see what they try and do this time.
bludgin' since 94'
davidbland50
Posts: 392
Date Joined: 24/07/11
I must be dreaming
A pollitician that actually listens to his constituents. Somebody pinch me and I will wake up. Now what will he do about these marine parks I wonder?
Wherever you go, there you are
pale ale
Posts: 1755
Date Joined: 02/01/10
Labor to ban super trawler
Labor to ban super trawler
Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke says the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act will be updated to deal with super trawlers.
THE Abel Tasman has been banned from fishing in Commonwealth waters until more research on its impact is undertaken -- a process expected to take two years.
The announcement by Environment Minister Tony Burke comes just days before the reflagged Dutch ship was set to leave Port Lincoln, in South Australia, to start trawling in the Great Australian Bight.
The eleventh-hour intervention comes as the public opposition to Seafish Tasmania's long-held plans to trawl for jack mackerel and redbait off Tasmania, Western Australia and Queensland continues to grow.
Another anti-trawler rally had been planned for the lawns of State Parliament in Hobart this weekend.
Mr Burke today announced the Federal Government would create legislation allowing it to stop the super trawler from fishing until an expert panel conducted an assessment.
That panel will report directly to Mr Burke and Fisheries Minister Joe Ludwig.
"Until this panel has reported on its assessment, the declared fishing activity will be prohibited. It's expected that process would take around two years," Mr Burke said.
He indicated it was the groundswell of opposition from many Labor politicians, recreational fishers, commercial fishers and the wider public which allowed him to push the case to be given stronger powers under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
Mr Burke last week imposed strict new conditions on the operation of the vessel, formerly known as the Margiris, but Seafish Tasmania indicated it could still fish under the new guidelines, which were focused on protecting dolphins and seals.
While the public debate about the super trawler began in earnest just two months ago, Seafish Tasmania has been working on its jack mackerel and redbait trawling project for seven years.
Another super trawler, the Veronica, was knocked back just over seven years ago, environmentalists said yesterday.
Greenpeace congratulated the Federal Government for showing the courage to prevent the Abel Tasman from fishing in our waters.
The group hailed it as a victory for the Australian community, which had united to reject the "monster ship".
"This is what happens when we all stand together," Greenpeace spokesman Ben Pearson said.
Rob H
Posts: 5739
Date Joined: 18/01/12
great news but
great news but now that they have approved then canned it the government will likely have to compensate them Id say.
Can just add it to the list of costly f-ups.
Home insulation
Education stimulus
Asylum seekers
Dodgy union officials as elected members
Super trawlers
Greens puppet masters
Dodgy union funds (Gillards sacking as a lawyer)
Australia as PEW groups bitch
++watch this space++
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
pale ale
Posts: 1755
Date Joined: 02/01/10
taxestaxestaxestaxestaxestaxe
taxes
taxes
taxes
taxes
taxes
taxes
taxes
scottywiper
Posts: 247
Date Joined: 09/03/08
Good news...BUT...don't think
Good news...BUT...don't think this anything more than a political decision.
Burke has let this play out until he could sail in as a environmental hero and show his green credentials...it is Labor trying to win back some of the green vote.
It has conveniently also taken some of the focus off marine parks during the final days of public submissions.
It is good news, but Burke is far from a hero.
He's a political opportunist.
scotto
Posts: 2469
Date Joined: 21/04/08
well said
he is an opportunistic labour snake. its just smoke and mirrors with these farks.
Buz
Posts: 1555
Date Joined: 28/08/07
Great if it is banned.But
Great if it is banned.
But still wont vote for Labour.
An Mr Burke..................................... Well now that the Trawler might be banned i'll feel alot safer diving on the Rotto Trench now seeing there will be no risk of being scooped up by the net :P
grantarctic1
Posts: 2546
Date Joined: 03/03/11
Agree
I agree Buz, still won't vote for that moron. He would have gone ahead if not for the public outrage.
Great news for now tho,
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Thats awesome, have fun
Thats awesome, have fun diving the trench haha
meglodon
Posts: 5981
Date Joined: 17/06/10
people power
the citizens of this great country have had their voices heard...this time.
now about those stupid marine park youn tony
sea-kem
Posts: 14833
Date Joined: 30/11/09
I wonder how much of my taxes
I wonder how much of my taxes these idiots have blown with this grandstanding excersize. this is so embarrasing it's not funny. Nice moves you feral green radical turds I can see the play here.
Love the West!
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15607
Date Joined: 29/11/05
Hmm
Agree with the comments, labour must have given the trawler owners the idea it was going to go ahead and then with public outcry decided we are going to be even more unpopular and canned it. Seems like a political stunt to get people on-side.
Site Admin - Just ask if you need assistance
Lastchance
Posts: 1272
Date Joined: 02/02/09
Liberals and the independents
Liberals and the independents are planning to block it. Citing it as a 'Trojan horse' and not democratic. Australian politics must be the laughing stock of the advanced world. Anyone seen the federal debt lately?