CONTROVERSIAL super trawler the Geelong Star has departed Australian waters for good according to information received by Fishing World this afternoon.
Automatic Identification System (AIS) – the tracking system used on all ships worldwide – confirmed that the Geelong Star left Melbourne on the 31st October and is currently off the coastline of South Africa.
A spokesperson from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) confirmed that the ship is no longer Australian flagged, therefore no longer able to operate in compliance with the Fisheries Management Act 1991, and no longer under Australian jurisdiction.
AFMA also confirmed that the super trawler is no longer fishing the Commonwealth managed Small Pelagic Fishery (SPF), that the ship isn’t currently subject to any investigation by AFMA for breaches of fishing regulations and the decision to leave was made by Seafish Tasmania, the Australian operators of the ship.
More to follow.
