Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson has today called on his fellow Tasmanian Labor and Liberal colleges to support his motion to stop the super trawler F.V. Margiris due to unassessed risks on local depletion of fish stocks.”
 
“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,” stated Senator Whish-Wilson earlier today.
 
“We’ve heard lots of talk from the other parties on how they were working with Minister Burke to stop the super trawler and it has all come to nothing.”
 
“The time for talking is over - if my federal Tasmanian counterparts are serious about stopping this, then their only option now is to support my motion to block the industrial trawler.”
 
“If they fail to stand up and express the views of their constituents now, then their constituents will make their disappointment known.”
 
“The Tasmanian House of Assembly has already passed a motion –with support of all political parties, to ask the Federal government stop the very unpopular super trawler from being able to fish in Australian waters. This plea has so far gone unanswered.”
 
“We are also hearing the same message from people right across the country- Australian’s simply don’t want this trawler here”.
 
“The only way to stop this monster trawler from potentially depleting our local fish stocks and threatening marine life such as seals, dolphins and penguins is for the senate to disallow and suspend the fishing quota when parliament sits next week”.
 
“All Australians need to contact their federal senators and tell them to take action in the senate next week by supporting the greens motion to stop the Super trawler operating in Australian waters”.
 
Senator Whish-Wilson will be holding a press conference outside Mud Bar at the Old Launceston Seaport at 11.00 this morning and will be available for media comment all day.