Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, upon notice on 25 June 2012:

With reference to media reports that the company Seafish Tasmania Pty Ltd (Seafish) is seeking to bring the 'super trawler' Margaris to Tasmania, to be docked at Devonport in order to fish in the Commonwealth Small Pelagic Fishery:

(1) Has the Commonwealth recently increased the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for this fishery; if so, when and by how much.

(2) What data did the Commonwealth rely upon to increase the quota and when was this data last updated.

(3) Is the data reviewed according to the precautionary principle before there are any alterations in the TAC.

(4) Have there been any written or verbal discussions between the Tasmanian and Commonwealth governments regarding this company, its trawler proposal and the TAC in the fishery.

(5) Have there been any discussions between Seafish and the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) regarding the trawler proposal or the TAC; if so, has the Minister been involved in or informed of these discussions.

(6) Have Seafish or AFMA consulted with commercial or recreational fishers in Tasmania about the trawler proposal; if so, what was the outcome.

(7) Has modelling been done on the impact of the trawler on Tasmanian fisheries.