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

I thank Senator Johnston for his question and I note his very real interest, along with all colleagues on this side, in stamping out the scourge of illegal fishing of our waters through practical and effective programs. The government’s massive $500 million investment in fighting the war against illegal fishing has not unsurprisingly been welcomed by a number of informed sources. Fishing professionals have been very supportive. Indeed, the Australian Seafood Industry Council issued a press release strongly endorsing our approach. Graham Short, Chief Executive of the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council, said:

The Government is to be congratulated for recognising the extreme and immediate threat that illegal foreign fishing poses for Australia and for matching this with a significant budget allocation to do something about it …

Rob Fish, Chairman of the Northern Territory Seafood Council, said of the package, ‘It’s fantastic.’ Today’s Northern Territory News editorialises, ‘The government is tackling the illegal fishing crisis head on.’