Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

The point made by the honourable senator in his question is absolutely right: it is vitally important that we sustain our viable fishing industry. Not only is it a very important industry but also it is a very important product that we get from it: a health food that we as a community have to understand more and more. We in Australia produce premium quality Australian seafood, which is not only good for our economic wellbeing but also very good for our physical wellbeing. And so it is vitally important, if we want to maintain that resource for the benefit of future generations of Australians, that we have the benefit of that resource for generations to come. That is why I am delighted there is cross-party support for this initiative and cross-party support within the industry and the wider fishing and conservation sectors.