The Australian Democrats today moved to block Environment Minister Senator Campbell from allowing the continued overfishing of Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT).
The move was opposed by the Government and Opposition.
Democrats Fisheries spokesperson, Senator Brian Greig says he was staggered by the Minister giving the green light to SBT accreditation.
"This species is under great pressure. It has declined in population by at least 80 per cent over the last three generations, is regarded as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and has already been listed under both Victorian and NSW state laws as a threatened species," Senator Greig said.
"Australian fishing fleets are amongst the most aggressive and well-resourced boats targeting this threatened species."
Senator Greig says the Government's response to this situation has so far been to blame our international neighbours for overfishing. Despite this, Australia, with an international quota allocation of 5,265 tonnes, exported more than 9,000 tonnes of SBT last year.
"Australia's Environment Minister has bowed to powerful fishing interests, and given the go ahead to continued and unsustainable fishing of SBT despite international scientific concern over depleted pelagic fish stocks," Senator Greig said.
"Globally, we have seen the collapse of the Atlantic cod fishery in the northern hemisphere. Here in the southern waters, SBT is at the sharp end of fisheries management, yet the Government's inaction, indifference and Labor's collusion may well speed the end of one of our most important and profitable fisheries," said Senator Greig.
|
