The Greens have condemned the federal government for greenlighting the return of a foreign-owned industrial super trawler to operate off the coast of lutruwita/Tasmania.
The New Zealand super trawler has returned to target threatened orange roughy – an endangered deep-sea species which, under Australia’s broken environmental laws, can still be fished.
Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:
“When will we learn the lessons of history?
“The infamous historic crash of the orange roughy fishery off the coast of lutruwita/Tasmania, caused by overfishing, is a tale of greed and stupidity that should never be repeated.
“The Albanese government talks a big game about Australia being a global leader in ocean protection. But how is greenlighting the operation of a foreign-owned industrial super trawler to target an endangered deep-sea species taking global leadership in ocean protection?
“Big industrial trawlers can do decades of devastating and lasting damage not only to vulnerable marine life like orange roughy but to our precious deep-sea ecosystems.
“The Australian Fisheries Management Authority’s (AFMA) apparent decision to ignore scientific advice to halve the catch limit in the eastern orange roughy zone risks the environment and puts into question the economic benefits of accessing this fishery.
“What returns are the Tasmanian and Australian people getting from foreign-owned fishing fleets and big commercial quota owners operating off our coastlines?
“The fish are being processed on the industrial vessel meaning there will likely be zero flow-on benefits such as employment to local communities.”