24/07/2012
The world’s 2nd largest super trawler (the 142m Dutch “FV Margiris”) is on its way to plunder fish stocks from Shark Bay in WA to NSW. The ship will use the latest technology to hunt down the largest schools of Blue Mackerel, Jack Mackerel and Redbait along the Australian coastline. These fish form an incredibly important part of the marine food chain, especially for Seals, Dolphins, Shark, Tuna, Game fish and sea birds.
Due to the large size of the net the by-catch will be crushed/drowned (including those animals feeding on them).
The same ship has been kicked out of several countries after decimating local fish stocks. It DOES NOT operate in a “sustainable” fashion - and that is why it has had to "move on" due to the trail of destruction left behind it. The truth is that it, and others like it, have caused the collapse of the European, then African, then Chilean, then Pacific fishing industries… now they think it is our turn!
If you are concerned about the effect this will have on our coastal communities which rely on professional and recreational fishing and related tourism then I invite you to inform your friends/fans/customers about this. Since both ends of the political spectrum (fishing interests and the green/environmentalists) agree that this must be stopped, it is surely good old common sense - which has been lost in greed-driven search of the quick dollar now at the cost of generations to come.
The online petition against the trawler has already 20,000 signatures – but it needs to be 100,000 to get the politicians to respond to basic common sense. Rallies have already been organised in Hobart, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie on the 21st July. It would be great if you and your community were able to also try to get the message across to the local, state and (most importantly) Federal Government. The Federal Government are currently supporting the super trawler, and time is running out before the ship arrives and is granted the pending operational license.
Fighting to stop the Geelong Star (factory freezer super trawler) plundering Australia's SPF fishery. http://www.stopthetrawler.net/tell_abbott
