Dr WOODRUFF question to MINISTER FOR BUSINESS, INDUSTRY and RESOURCES, Mr ABETZ
The architects behind the FB Margiris, the supertrawler that was defeated a decade ago, are back, this time with a plan to net the sardine and small pelagic fishes of Bass Strait to be made into, of all things, salmon food. These are fish that have migrated south seeking refuge in cool waters because of human-induced climate change. In what world do you think this is sustainable fisheries, looting a wild population trying to survive to gift to big salmon in a feed bay. Minister, have you learned nothing from the supertrawler debacle 10 years ago?
Mr Jaensch – You do not want fish farming either; you do not want wild harvest either.
The SPEAKER – Order, te Minister for Community Services will be joining my warning list very soon.
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the member for the question. What I have learnt, as a former federal fisheries minister and now as a state fisheries minister, that the best way to deal with our wild sea fisheries is to listen to the science and not the Bob Brown Foundation. What the science has taught me is that if you have the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) on board, our world-renowned institute just down there on the wharf, they will provide information to us. In the Budget, we allocate a $250,000 for the exploration of the potential for this fishery, something that was promoted to me whilst I was in the Senate I think nearly 10 years ago.
Very careful studies have been undertaken and IMAS has now indicated that there is a substantial biomass or population of sardines which would potentially allow a harvest. We are still awaiting that information. As the science comes in, I will be making more announcements. There is the possibility of the sardine fishery. We want to explore that.
If we have a wild sea fishery, we want it to be sustainable. However, as is the wont of certain people in this place, unfortunately, when there is something new, something that might create jobs, something that might create wealth for the Tasmanian community, the answer is no. I say, let us explore. This government says let us explore. Let us see what can be done in a responsible, sustainable manner. That is what we are going to do with this potential fishery. In relation to the scaremongering of a super trawler, I can advise the member that I doubt very much – indeed, I think I could be confident enough to rule out that we would have a super trawler situation in Bass Strait.
What we want is a good, sustainable fishery. That is what we are waiting on, for the science to get that completely locked away. If the science says yes, then we, as a government, will say yes. If the science says no, then we will say no, but we know that no matter what the science says, the Greens and the Bob Brown Foundation will say no. We are driven by the science with hope and looking to the opportunity to create extra jobs, extra wealth and, might I add, a good potential fish product for the benefit of humankind.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Dr WOODRUFF – A supplementary question, Speaker?
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary from the Leader.
Dr WOODRUFF – The minister referred to a sardine fishery, and I asked the question about a sardine and small pelagic fishery. Does the minister confirm that it is not possible, according to the science, to net just sardines and not net other small pelagic fish at the same time, which are fish about plate size and smaller?
The SPEAKER – I am happy for the minister to address that, but given that he has already said that he is waiting on evidence –
Mr ABETZ – In relation to most fisheries, there will nearly always be a bycatch. In relation to sustainability, what one seeks to do is to minimise the bycatch and say, rather than just trawling through the sea, what you can do is purse seine netting – if I have that terminology correct. That is, you find where the school might be and then you shoot a net around a certain amount of that population and drag it in.
Dr Woodruff – The science will show that that is not possible.
The SPEAKER – Order, Leader of the Greens.
Mr ABETZ – Purse seine fishing has occurred all around the world, but according to the Bob Brown Foundation, it is not possible.
Dr Woodruff – Yes, and bycatch is a direct result.
The SPEAKER – Order, Leader of the Greens.
Mr ABETZ – Can I tell you it is possible? It happens as you sit here. As real as it is that you sit here, I can tell you that purse seine fishing occurs around the world. Yet again, I indicate that the best possible practice will be undertaken to ensure the sustainability of this fishery, should it go ahead.
The SPEAKER – The minister’s time has expired. I will warn the leader if she keeps interjecting.
