THE South Australian Government says controversial freezer trawler Geelong Star could breach the state’s catch regulations.
Fisheries Minister Leon Bignell said he was worried the 95-metre-long fishing vessel was now near the SA border.
The minister said he had raised SA’s concerns over the super trawler for months now with the Federal Government, which regulates fishing in waters more than three nautical miles from the coast.
“The super trawler was recently sighted near the South Australian border. I have very serious concerns about its impact on our fisheries, particularly our quota-managed sardines and our recreational game fishing industry,” he said.
“South Australia has jurisdiction for managing sardines in all waters off SA [and] this means that sardines are a no-take species for all vessels off SA in the small pelagic fishery.”
The Minister said he doubted the Geelong Star would be able to avoid breaching the state’s fishing restrictions.
“South Australia has jurisdiction for managing sardines in all waters off South Australia – this means that sardines are a ‘no take species’ for all vessels off SA in the Small Pelagic Fishery.
“There is a strong likelihood of significant incidental by-catch of sardines and this could adversely affect the integrity of the quota arrangements.
“The State Government has proposed a number of measures to minimise any potential impacts on South Australian fisheries and marine mammals, including a review of the Offshore Constitutional Settlement (OSC) which deals with Commonwealth and state jurisdiction of the waters.
“Until this review is undertaken and an agreement reached, the State Government wants the super trawler to fish only in offshore waters beyond 200 metres deep to mitigate the risk.
“I am also very worried about impact on other marine life generally. I will continue to contact the Federal Government about the super trawler. South Australia has too much to lose,” Bignell said.
