SENATOR CAROL BROWN

SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR

FAMILIES AND PAYMENTS
LABOR SENATOR FOR TASMANIA
GOVERNMENT AT SEA ON FISHERIES
It has been reported today, that in spite of growing concerns about the use of factory
trawlers, the group which has provided advice on Australias small pelagic fisheries
has been disbanded by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority has made a statement that the Small
Pelagic Fishery Resource Assessment Group members completed their term on
June 30.
This is bad news for the health of Australias small pelagic fisheries, for
environmentalists and for recreational fishers.
The Governments failure to act to ban factory trawlers, such as the Geelong Star,
from fishing in Australian waters shows that this Government should be seeking
more advice on this issue not less.
The Abbott Government is completely at sea when it comes to the protection of our
fishery resources.
The Government has continually failed to hear the concerns of the Tasmanian
community about factory trawlers and now they will no longer hear the voices of the
expert group.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Richard
Colbeck has washed his hands of the issue, claiming that disbanding the group was
an independent decision by Australian Fisheries Management Authority.
This is unacceptable.
It is about time that Senator Colbeck started to take his responsibilities for the
management of Australias fisheries seriously.

We know that in spite of the death of protected species, factory trawlers are still
fishing unchecked off the coast of Australia.
THURSDAY, 9 JULY 2015
MEDIA CONTACT: MELISSA JAMES 0419 374 859