The Australian Greens remain committed to opposing renewed attempts to allow the super-trawler formerly known as F.V. Margiris, now the Abel Tasman, to operate in Australian waters until the government’s review of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and the small pelagic fishery quota science is completed.

“Supertrawler” fact sheet
[Download the PDF version below]

Stakeholders across Australia have demanded legislated, transparent, and effective safeguards we can all see and trust to protect our fisheries and ecosystems, now and into the future. Their concerns about the “supertrawler” FV Abel Tasman (formerly Margiris), are reasonable and valid.

The Australian Greens have called on Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to publicly reject Seafish Tasmania’s revised fishery plan for the super-trawler, the F.V. Margiris.

“Minister Burke made some very strong statements on the inadequacies around the system setting the quota, and scientific issues such as localised depletion – essentially reflecting the advice I received months ago,” Senator Peter Whish-Wilson stated.

Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Christine Milne was interviewed on ABC Radio National Breakfast. 

Subjects: super trawler, asylum seekers, government spending, Greens proposals to raise revenue, energy efficiency, Kevin Rudd

Please follow link for audio of the interview

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/super-trawler-update/4258598

The Australian Greens have reiterated calls for a ban on super trawlers in Australian waters.

“We welcome the Government’s decision to finally act on the concerns I have been raising for some time around this issue,” Australian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said today.

“However, successive Governments have been working for seven years to bring this vessel here.

“What we see here is the Fisheries Minister congratulating himself for cleaning up a mess his own department created.

Australian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson stated it was disappointing  the Labor Party hadn't supported his disallowance motion to stop the F.V. Margiris earlier today.

"They continue to talk about stopping this industrial trawler but when they are actually afforded an opportunity to do something they just sit on their hands."

"It is very clear the arrival of this boat is deeply un-popular in Australia and its likely public anger and opposition to this trawler operating in our fisheries will continue to build."

Dear friend,

The super trawler Margiris has arrived in Australian waters and we have one last chance to stop this vacuum cleaner of the seas from damaging our precious marine environment and potentially the fishing communities who rely on it.

Senators will vote on what the Margiris is allowed to trawl for on Monday. Write to your Senator today to save our seas from the super trawler.

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.
 

TRANSCRIPT

Subjects: National Commission against Corruption, Tasmanian Greens State Conference, Tarkine, supertrawler, environmental protection, Tony Abbott, Tasmanian Liberals State Conference

JOURNALIST: The anti-corruption watchdog you're pushing for, how much power would you like to see such a body have?