Seafish Tasmania has agreed that its 95m factory trawler ''Geelong Star'' will not fish in management zone 7 of Australia’s Small Pelagic Fishery (SPF) until the end of the season on 30 April 2016.
This voluntary decision is the outcome of negotiations between the commercial and recreational fishing sectors on the operations of the vessel in the SPF.
Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston, welcomed the negotiations and thanked both parties for their attendance and their commitment to working towards mutually beneficial outcomes.
“While both parties acknowledged that there are difficult issues to work through, both gave their commitment to work together to find ways to co-exist around this shared resource,” Minister Ruston said.
“Shared use allows Australians to sustainably and profitably achieve the many ongoing benefits including healthy seafood on our tables, valuable exports and recreational enjoyment.”
Management zone 7 of the fishery is nearly 14 times the size of Tasmania and includes the major game fishing ports of Port Stephens and Coffs Harbour in New South Wales. Seafish Tasmania also voluntarily agreed that the Geelong Star will avoid fishing near major game fishing tournaments.
Senator Anne Ruston said that the meeting provided the opportunity for both parties to have a better understanding of the issues and concerns of each group, laying a strong foundation for future cooperation.
Participants will meet again early in the new year.
