SEAFISH Tasmania today put out a statement saying the super trawler the Abel Tasman is leaving Australian waters.
The Environment Minister Tony Burke’s office also issued a statement in relation to the controversial ship’s departure, The statement reads:
The Gillard Government last year acted to stop the Super Trawler – formally named the FV Margiris – from fishing in Australian waters until the sufficient scientific checks have been completed.
At the core of this issue was one principle – there was significant uncertainty about the environmental impacts of this new form of fishing.
When faced with this sort of uncertainty you can either be cautious and wait for the scientific work to be done or roll the dice and run the risks.
Australia chose to be cautious when it came to protecting the ocean. It was the right thing to do.
The Gillard Government makes no apology for not taking risks when it comes to protecting our precious oceans.
