Geelong Star Working

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SeaFish Tasmania's new vessel, the Geelong Star is already fishing off the Great Australian Bight.

Supporters of a new 95-metre factory fishing trawler are calling for calm as opposition to the SeaFish Tasmania vessel ramps up.
/>http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-13/new-ship-fight-looms-over-factory-trawler-geelong-star/6389964

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Taken from FW email newsletter.

Rec fishing body addresses trawler impact

21 Apr 2015

 

THE Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF), the national organisation representing the interests of Australia’s recreational fishing community, has held discussions with the Small Pelagic Fishing Industry Association (SPFIA), to address concerns about the impact the 95m trawler Geelong Star will have on Australia's small pelagic fishery (SPF).

 

The ARFF has tabled a proposal to SPFIA on its concerns and how it believes any impacts of industrial scale fishing of the SPF on recreational fishing can be minimised by managing where and when vessels fish and ongoing research into fishing the SPF on the impacts of recreational fishing.

see proposal: http://yaffacdn.s3.amazonaws.com/live/fishing/files/dmfile/ARFF-SPF-proposal-1504151.pdf

 

 

The ARFF says its proposal recognises that the SPF is a very important fishery for Australia`s recreational fishers. What happens in the fishery can have impacts on Australia’s recreational fishers now and for the future - ARFF concerns include:

 

The SPF covers a large proportion of Australia`s coastline including all of our major capital cities and regional centres, from Brisbane, south to Sydney and Hobart, across to Melbourne and Adelaide and Perth.

The SPF covers some of Australia`s most iconic recreational fishing grounds.

Under legislation for this fishery the Geelong Star can fish within three nautical miles of these population centres and iconic fishing locations at any time of the year.

 

Small pelagic fish are a major food source within the marine food web that includes key recreational species such as southern bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, marlin and kingfish.

With recreational fishing in Australia generating an estimated $10 billion a year and creating tens of thousands of jobs, ARFF doesn`t want this put at risk and there is no reason that it should be.

 

The ARFF expects to reach an agreement with the SPFIA on these issues by the end of this week.

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quote { The ARFF expects to reach an agreement with the SPFIA on these issues by the end of this week.}

Looking through, (the one of many) ‘voice of the rec fisho`s,’ proposal to the SPFIA, I notice many of those proposals and ‘wants’ have already been taken into account and have been addressed over the last 2 years, such as to the industrial scale fishing of the SPF, where, when and for how long the ship can operate in areas.

Oh well, it`s nice to know their doing something for the rec fisho

[Gad]

Taken from FW email newsletter

Colbeck defends Geelong Star

21 Apr 2015

SENATOR Richard Colbeck has described Labor/Green opposition to commercial fishing in the Small Pelagic Fishery as a thinly veiled attack on the entire Australian commercial fishing industry.

“The latest science clearly shows the Small Pelagic Fishery can be fished sustainably, but Labor and the Greens appear hell-bent on destroying the fishing industry in Australia and will say absolutely anything in the process,†Colbeck, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, said.

“During the previous debate Labor and the Greens defined supertrawlers as vessels more than 130 metres in length.â€

“The Coalition has accepted their definition of a supertrawler and we have enforced a permanent ban on vessels more than 130 metres from fishing in Australian waters. This regulation takes effect this week.â€

Senator Colbeck said the Geelong Star is not a supertrawler and falls under every threshold put forward during the previous debate.

“The Geelong Star is less than 100 metres in length and has a storage capacity under 1100 tonnes – significantly less than the Greens definition of a supertrawler as a vessel with a storage capacity greater than 2,000 tonnes,†he said.

“The goal posts keep being moved in this debate and it’s clear that some people just don’t want commercial fishing in Australia, which is frustrating as it is a legitimate and sustainable industry.â€

“The Small Pelagic Fishery provides great value to the Australian community and is assessed as one of the most environmentally friendly protein sources on the planet.â€

Senator Colbeck said the Coalition is doing as promised by continuing to seek updated science for the Small Pelagic Fishery.

“The latest science shows that the Small Pelagic Fishery can be fished sustainably – revealing continued opposition by Labor and the Greens is completely unjustified. It is clear they are not interested in the science and will say anything that fits their anti-fishing industry campaign,†he said.

“Australia’s fisheries are recognised among the best in the world and our fisheries management is based on the best available science. This was reaffirmed in the recent ABARES Fishery status reports which show no solely Commonwealth managed fisheries are subject to overfishing.â€

“This Government is committed to a balanced and informed approach to fisheries management. We will continue to make any decisions regarding access to all Australian fisheries based on sound science.â€

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Trawler backer lashes out at 'naive' opponents rallying against Geelong Star
/>http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-21/trawler-backer-lashes-out-at-geelong-star-opponents/6408630

Tue 21 Apr 2015, 11:22am

Protesters turning up for rallies and barbecues to fight the use of factory trawlers are naive and ill-informed, an industry spokesman says.

The 95-metre Geelong Star has been given Commonwealth approval to take more than 16,500 small pelagic fish from waters spanning the Great Australian Bight to Tasmania's east coast.

It has drawn widespread criticism, with rallies over the weekend against the trawler.

The factory trawler began fishing in Tasmanian waters about two weeks ago.

The Small Pelagic Fishery Association's Graeme Turk lashed out at protesters, telling 936 ABC Hobart the movement was ill-informed.

"They are naive comments made by people who obviously haven't studied the facts, haven't studied the science," he said.

"It's a lot easier to turn up to a rally and have a barbecue than it is to read scientific reports on the sustainability of fisheries."

Mr Turk said there were no environmental issues with the Geelong Star.

"We are talking about taking 7.5 per cent of the estimated biomass of fish out of this fishery," he said.

"The opposition is coming from small fringe groups who really haven't taken the time, made the effort to understand what the fishery is about."

The Geelong Star is not allowed to take its quota from the one area and is required by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority to leave for a month at a time after removing a certain amount of fish.

Opponents urged to study science

He acknowledged opponents had serious concerns but urged them to study the science.

"If they are serious in their concerns they ought to study the science," Mr Turk said.

"The facts and the science do support this fishery."

A fisheries researcher at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic studies, Caleb Gardner, agreed the science is sound and said the fishery and broader environment would not be damaged by the Geelong Star.

"The science behind this is getting trashed," he said.

"The small pelagic fishery is for me something I inspire to, for other coastal fisheries to be managed or researched to the same sought of level.

"There is very high level, high quality science associated with that fishery so for me working in this area I would really aspire to get other Tasmanian fisheries ... up to the same level."

Premier restates opposition to trawlers

Tasmania's Liberal Premier, Will Hodgman, restated his opposition to trawlers, and said his position on trawlers had not changed.

"It's a matter that's determined by the Commonwealth Government, our position in Tasmania is very clear - trawling is in fact banned, we've banned trawling in Tasmanian waters," he said.

"We also support the continuing ban on super trawlers which has been previously debated.

"I've communicated that to the Federal Government as well, but matters that come within their control and their responsibility are determined by them - but our position is very clear on this."

There are also plans to formally register a political party to lobby against the ships like the Geelong Star.

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Australian Fisheries Management Authority Media release

21 April 2015

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has strengthened marine mammal protection in the Small Pelagic Fishery (SPF), putting in place additional measures in the vessel management plan (VMP) for all mid-water trawl vessels operating in the fishery.

Vessel management plans specify the detailed operational requirements to minimise risks to the marine environment and all SPF mid-water trawl vessels are required to have an AFMA approved VMP before commencing fishing. VMPs are updated to take into account on the water experience and the latest developments in techniques to reduce interactions with protected species.

AFMA has been advised that the Geelong Star, the fishing vessel nominated by Seafish Tasmania Ltd to fish in the SPF, is currently completing its first trip in the fishery.

Consistent with the requirements of all vessels fishing in Commonwealth waters, the Geelong Star must report any interaction with protected species, including marine mammals like dolphins, seals or Australian sea lions.

The Geelong Star has notified AFMA of two seal mortalities and four dolphin mortalities. Any mortality of marine mammals is a serious concern for AFMA and the Geelong Star will immediately be required to take additional precautions to further reduce the risk of marine mammal interactions.

“AFMA has always said that we will update the Geelong Star’s vessel management plan to take into account on the water experience,†said AFMA’s CEO Dr James Findlay.

“Additional measures will now be imposed to protect dolphins and other marine mammals.

These changes include modifications to marine mammal exclusion devices and move on provisions, day-time fishing only or requiring the vessel to return to port if further dolphins are killed.

“The company has re-affirmed its commitment to AFMA to do everything possible to protect marine mammals and the broader marine environment during fishing operations – this is pleasing to see.

“Unfortunately, from time to time both commercial and recreational fishers will accidentally harm marine mammals and other protected species while seeking to put seafood on our tables. We will continue to work with marine mammal experts and fishers to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to minimise these risks.

“The sustainability of the entire marine ecosystem, including marine mammals is a priority for AFMA and we take any marine mammal mortality very seriously.â€

Ongoing monitoring of vessel operations is an essential part of fisheries management. AFMA will continue to deploy two officers on the Geelong Star to closely observe the operations for the foreseeable future.

In response to the recently reported dolphin mortalities, the master of the Geelong Star suspended fishing immediately. AFMA’s on-board bycatch specialist then assessed the situation and the vessel moved 20 nautical miles away from its current fishing location. The vessel master also initiated fishing gear and other operational changes.

The Geelong Star’s current vessel management plan can be found at afma.gov.au. The updated vessel management plan will soon be published.

Trawler Geelong Star under stricter controls after dolphin and seal deaths
/>http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-22/trawler-geelong-star-to-be-under-stricter-controls/6411038

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Taken from FW email newsletter 07 May 2015

Tighter restrictions on Geelong Star

TRAWLERS targeting the Small Pelagic Fishery, including the Geelong Star, will only be allowed to fish during daytime hours as part of more restrictive measures put in place by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA).

The night time fishing ban will apply to mid-water trawl vessels fishing in the SPF.

As further protection and to provide incentive for operators to make operational changes to reduce risks, six month fishing bans will be imposed in management zones if any dolphin mortalities occur in the relevant zone. The additional measures are in response to further dolphin and fur seal mortalities on the Geelong Star’s second fishing trip in the fishery.

“AFMA is extremely disappointed that these additional dolphin and seal mortalities have occurred,†AFMA’s CEO Dr James Findlay said.

“Eight dolphin deaths in two trips are unacceptable.

“AFMA stated earlier this week that the Geelong Star will not be allowed to return to fishing in the SPF until AFMA is satisfied that all reasonable steps are in place to minimise further marine mammal mortalities.

“We have said all along that the vessel management plan was a live document and we would be adaptive and responsive to ensure that all reasonable measures are in place to minimise harm to marine mammals.

“We’ve shown our ability to do this in other fisheries with great success and recognition from marine mammal experts.â€

AFMA says as the Geelong Star has had no dolphin mortalities during daytime fishing, consequently, a night time fishing ban is a mandatory requirement of the vessel’s operations in in the SPF for the foreseeable future.

In addition to the night time fishing ban, any dolphin mortality will result in the closure of the respective fishing zone, the smallest of which is more than four times the size of Tasmania, for six months.

Before its third fishing trip, AFMA is also requiring Seafish Tasmania to have electronic monitoring (e-monitoring) installed on the Geelong Star. E-monitoring uses tamper proof cameras to monitor fishing activity. In addition to e-monitoring, two AFMA officers will remain on board to closely observe the vessel’s operations.

AFMA also understands that the Geelong Star will be trialling additional measures to improve its current marine mammal excluder devices.

“AFMA has made it very clear to Seafish Tasmania what our expectations are if operations are to continue in the fishery,†Dr Findlay said.

“I encourage Seafish Tasmania to work with both Australian and international marine mammal experts to ensure that every possible effort is made to stay within the restrictive fishing conditions AFMA is putting in place.

“Unfortunately all fishing poses risks that can sometimes lead to the unintentional harm to marine mammals.

“However, AFMA is determined to ensure that all reasonable measures are in place to minimise any further marine mammal mortalities.â€

AFMA’s strict new measures for the fishing conditions are expected to be finalised by the end of the week and there will be no fishing until the vessel is compliant with the strict new measures.

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Taken from FW email newsletter 25-5-15

The freezer ship Geelong Star has been regularly in the news since its arrival in Australian waters to fish for small pelagics. Today, fish biologist Ben Diggles takes a close look at one of the ship's main target species, redbait.

Fish Facts: Redbait & more

25 May 2015

By Ben Diggles

THIS month we’ll look at some facts about redbait (Emmelichthys nitidus), also known as bonnetmouths or rovers.

These torpedo shaped baitfish resemble a cross between a pilchard and a jack mackerel in appearance, being grey to dark blue above with reddish pink sides and bellies.

Like pilchards and jack mackerel, red bait feed on planktonic crustaceans, particularly small copepods, but also krill. They occur in large midwater schools in cooler temperate waters near continental shelf dropoffs, seamounts, upwellings and other such oceanic features at depths of 20 to 500 m.

In Australia they are found offshore from around Sydney, NSW, south and west to southern WA, including both the east and west coasts of Tasmania. Further afield, some scientists recognise two sub-species of redbait throughout the temperate southern hemisphere, Emmelichthys nitidus nitidusfrom the eastern Atlantic around South Africa to east of New Zealand (including Australia), andEmmelichthys nitidus cyanescens from the waters around South America.

Redbait can reach nearly 50 cm long and live for over 15 years, but compared to other baitfish they are relatively slow growing and long lived, growing to around 15, 24 and 27 cm in their first one, three and five years, respectively. Sexes are separate throughout their lives and length at maturity is around 1-2 cm longer for females compared to male fish. Actual size at maturity varies by region, with populations on Tasmania’s east coast maturing at between 14 and 16 cm long, while in the cooler waters of Tasmania’s south west maturity is reached between 24 and 26 cm long. This suggests that there may be discrete redbait populations in different parts of the country, and therefore a chance of localised depletion if they were to be heavily fished by commercial interests in any one part of their distribution.

In recent times a lot of research has examined the warming trend in the western Tasman Sea (east of Tasmania), particularly its impacts on fisheries there. The warming of the waters off eastern Tasmania results from what the climate scientists call “a multi-decadal southward penetration of the East Australian Current due to the decadal-scale ‘spin-up’ of the South Pacific Gyreâ€.

In other words, global warming has resulted in more warm water coming down each summer from up Queensland way, and this has resulted in reduced recruitment of temperate species like rock lobsters, and other such things. But it's not all bad news, because the increased southward influence of the East Australian Current also favours production of small warm-water copepods, which are a key part of the diet of redbait. Indeed, scientists consider that the changing climate is the main factor responsible for an increase in the relative abundance of redbait in mid water trawl fisheries east of Tasmania.

Any fisheries scientist who passed “Fisheries 101†will know that the tendency of small pelagic species like redbait to aggregate in schools makes them vulnerable to overfishing in poorly managed fisheries. Fish that eat zooplankton also tend to be more heavily influenced by environmental variables, and if they are heavily fished commercially, and the boom and bust nature of their populations is not taken into account by fishery managers, this can result in stock collapses. However, is this to say that a fishery cannot be developed when long term environmental changes become more favourable and fish numbers are increasing? Redbait in Australia’s Small Pelagic Fishery are a case in point.

The recent supertrawler issues have thrust redbait into the spotlight as they form an integral part of the federally managed Small Pelagic Fishery (SPF). Australia’s SPF is no doubt one of the best managed fisheries in the world, but for the reasons outlined above (and many more that are not), expanding any fishery in today's world is something that cannot be considered lightly.

Certainly when the original “supertrawler idea†surfaced a few years ago, there were a few unanswered questions about localised depletion and overall ecosystem impacts that needed more research. But more science was done and it's much harder to say the same situation occurs today, yet controversy remains.

Indeed, when you read all of the scientific reports underpinning the management of Australia's SPF, it's becoming so voluminous, it seems even a supertrawler could float on the amount of paperwork the fishery managers and scientists have generated in recent years. The piles of paper are getting so high the managers risk drowning in it. For those who can’t be bothered to read it all, the upshot is, the management of the fishery amounts to world's best practice. This is what any independent assessment would conclude, considering that vessels operating in the fishery would be managed to a very conservative total allowable catch (TAC) quota of around 7.5 per cent of the estimated stock size. The low fishing effort takes into consideration ecosystem effects, with coverage by observers, GPS tracking, compulsory exclusion devices and other regulations to minimise direct impacts on non target species such as birds and marine mammals, and so on.

And this is, I think, the crux of the whole supertrawler debate.

When some interest groups are simply against use of trawlers of a certain size in an otherwise well researched and TAC managed fishery, despite these midwater trawlers not even touching the bottom with their nets (and thus avoiding many of the usual environmental issues with trawling), this shows some groups are ready to throw science out the door in opposition to certain forms of fishing.

In such a climate of public debate, the obvious question then becomes “what type of best practice, sustainable fishing could be banned next?â€. Scientists might then point out (and rightly so), that if recreational fishing groups choose to heed the science only when it suits them, it's quite likely they will be right in the firing line, with nowhere to turn, next time the anti-fishing brigade decides to go to Canberra.

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Geelong Star fishing off Tasmania after modifications to prevent dolphin deaths

/>http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-07/geelong-star-fishing-off-tasmania-after-having-further-modifica/6527880

Controversial fishing trawler Geelong Star is believed to be fishing in waters north-east of Tasmania after adopting more safeguards against killing marine mammals.

The 95-metre freezer factory ship voluntarily suspended fishing after killing eight dolphins and four seals on its first two trips in Australian waters

Further restrictions mean that if the Geelong Star kills one more dolphin it will be evicted from the relevant fishery for six months.

In a further measure to prevent fatalities, the vessel has now been equipped with a new mesh grid.

Bridport-based boat builder Allan Barnett was confident the new addition would work.

"In front of the opening of the net they've put like a big wall of smaller mesh across the front, so dolphins and seals can't fit through that mesh to go down in the tunnel of that net," he said.

Mr Barnett said the flipside was the grid could hamper attempts to catch fish.

"The problem they might have, and I'm envisaging they probably will have, it might stop the fish from going through too," he said.

"So whether it's still okay with their fishing side of it, I don't know, but from a dolphin and seal point of view it will fix that."

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Geelong Star to Re-Start Night Fishing

28 Aug 2015

FEDERAL fisheries authorities are considering overturning a ban preventing controversial factory trawler the Geelong Star from fishing at night.

Fisho last week received information that the night fishing ban – which was implemented by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority to prevent the factory trawler from killing dolphins – could be overturned as early as this week.

AFMA has since clarified the situation, saying it is currently considering a recommendation to review the night fishing ban made by a SPF Technical Marine Mammal Workshop.

The workshop, which was held in late June, recommends that AFTA review “as soon as possible for a ban on night time fishing when a trigger limit on dolphin mortalities is in placeâ€.

Fisho has requested details on when a decision on the ban will be made. It’s understood that a “trigger limit†means a certain number of dolphins can be killed by the Geelong Star before AFMA steps in to impose any restrictions.

Meantime, the Game Fishing Association of Australia has written to AFMA seeking a briefing on the night fishing ban situation.

The planned review of the night fishing ban comes after the industry organisation representing the factory trawler complained that the night ban was a “draconian measure†which was preventing theGeelong Star from turning a profit.

Graham Turk, chairman of the Small Pelagic Fishery Association, told the ABC the factory trawler was “struggling†due to the night fishing ban. See article HERE (http://www.fishingworld.com.au/news/geelong-star-struggling-to-stay-afloat-after-dolphin-kill-restrictions).

AFMA instigated the ban after the trawler killed eight dolphins and a number of seals during its first two fishing expeditions earlier in the year.

The foreign-owned vessel targets redbait, which mass up during the night. Seals, dolphins and other marine predators also target the bait during this time, meaning that “interactions†between the predators and the factory trawler’s massive nets are extremely difficult to prevent.

See article HERE (http://www.fishingworld.com.au/news/tighter-restrictions-on-geelong-star).

Meantime, federal Fisheries Minister Senator Richard Colbeck has attempted to allay concerns about factory trawlers in Australian waters by advising that the blue genadier fishery, which has recently attained Marine Stewardship Council certification, has been operating mid water trawler vessels for the past 19 years.

“The argument that freezer trawlers cannot sustainably operate in Australian waters (has been) blown out of the water,†Senator Colbeck said in reference to the MSC certification for the blue grenadier fishery.

However, Senator Colbeck did not address concerns specifically relating to the Geelong Star, which Fishounderstands operates in a different fishery to the boats targeting blue grenadier.

Concerns relating to the Geelong Star involve possible localised depletion impacts on recreational sport and game fishing plus “interactions†involving marine mammals.

As far as Fisho is aware, neither of the concerns are an issue with the blue grenadier fishery.

Senator Colbeck told Fisho he is “aware†that AFMA is considering a review of the night fishing ban.

“Decisions about Commonwealth fisheries are made using the best available science and this will continue under the Coalition’s watch,†Senator Colbeck said. “The Government has full confidence in AFMA as Australia’s world class fisheries manager.â€

[Gad]

taken from FW email newsletter

Night time fishing ban lifted for Geelong Star factory trawler

17 Sep 2015

ABC News has reported the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has lifted the ban on night time fishing for factory trawler, the Geelong Star.

The restriction was originally put in place after the trawler killed several dolphins and seals.

AFMA said there was a "trigger limit" on dolphin deaths, which means if any more were killed, the fishing zone in question would be closed for six months, according to the ABC report.

AFMA said Geelong Star operator Seafish Tasmania had taken additional measures to reduce the risk of marine mammal interactions.

ABC said the authority has yet to decide whether it will replace the Small Pelagic Fishery Resource Assessment Group, a body that provided scientific advice on fishing.

The group was disbanded earlier in the year, after the ABC revealed the former chair of the group had quit over a perceived conflict of interest.

The decision is set to further anger recreational fishers and environmental groups.

[Gad]

taken from FW email newsletter

Urgent action needed on the Geelong Star

24 Sep 2015

THE Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF) is calling for an urgent meeting with the Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce to address growing concerns over the factory freezer vessel the “Geelong Star†fishing Australia’s small pelagic fishery.

The call follows a crisis meeting in Melbourne of the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF), the peak body representing Australia’s recreational fishing community, that was attended by representatives of the key state and national recreational fishing organisations from around Australia.

Managing director Allan Hansard said: “A number of events in recent weeks now means that this issue needs urgent attention and we are pleased that following the recent Government reshuffle the Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce now has carriage of the issueâ€.

The events that have led to this issue requiring urgent Ministerial action are:

* The vessel continues to fish over the top of some of Australia’s most iconic recreational fishing spots, with potential impacts on

Australia’s $10 billion recreational fishery and the hundreds of communities that support it;

* The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has ignored the warnings from the ARFF and have removed the night time fishing ban on the Geelong Star, increasing the probability of further dolphin and seal deaths and the localised depletion of fish stocks;

* A Senate inquiry has been called into the operations of large factory freezer vessels following concerns over the management of the small pelagic fishery;

* Some Government MPs are now organising public rallies and are calling for the Geelong Star to be banned, as a result of growing local community concern; and

* The recent Ministerial reshuffle has seen the responsibilities for the “Geelong Star†issue now revert to the Minister of Agriculture.

Minister Joyce is known for putting the interests of Australians and particularly local communities before foreign interests and we are keen for him to have a fresh look at this issue and act to resolve it now.

If it is not fixed and the Geelong Star is allowed to adversely impact on recreational fishing, business and tourism opportunities around Australia’s coast line, come summer there will be a lot of very unhappy families, businesses and local communities.

Surely the business interests of this foreign owned factory trawler should not be put before the interests of millions of Australian families and hundreds of local businesses and communities.

“We look forward to meeting with Minister Joyce and working constructively with him and his Department to resolve this issue as soon as possible,†said Hansard.

[Gad]

taken from FW email newsletter December 2015

 

TALKS in Canberra between Seafish Tasmania representatives, government and recreational fishing groups have been described as positive by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.

Senator Anne Ruston, assistant Minister for the department, has thanked both sides and praised their commitment to getting 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,” Ruston said.

One thing that everyone agreed on was that, for now at least, everyone is talking and that's positive.

“Looking to the future, today’s 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 co-operation,” Ruston said.

Well known fishing identities Lee Rayner and Al McGlashan, and the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF), who were representing recreational fishermen at the talks, all agreed that there were issues from both sides that the other side were unaware of.

“Talks with the commercial fishing representatives on the operations of the Geelong Star were constructive. They progressed our understanding of the fishery but were also challenging. The true nature of the challenge of achieving an outcome where the vessel will avoid key recreational fishing areas, particularly over the busy summer holiday period is now clearer,” Allan Hansard, managing director of ARFF said.

“It is the objective of the ARFF to be constructive in the process and we tabled a map of ‘areas of concern’ and advised that fishing operations in the ‘areas of concern’, particularly those on the south east coast of Australia would have a high probability of interaction with recreational fishers over the summer period. We also advised that these areas should not be fished by the Geelong Star to avoid such interactions.”

A voluntary commitment from Seafish Tasmania for the Geelong Star not to fish management zone 7 until the end of April, 2016 was also established and passed off as a huge victory for recreational fishermen.

This however, has been met with indifference, and even anger, amongst rec fishos who believe that zone 7, the area between Barrenjoey head in NSW and Fraser Island in QLD, was never going to be fished anyway at that time of year. The big schools of bait were always going to be on the south coast of NSW from December to April and this is where it appears that game fishermen will get their first close look at the goliath ship as they jostle for position over the bait schools.

Federal liberal member for Paterson (Port Stephens) and well known recreational fisherman Bob Baldwin, hailed this zone 7 commitment as a huge victory for recreational fishermen despite being staunchly opposed to the supertrawler in the past and having to defend his position vigorously yesterday on his Facebook page.

”Finding a long term solution to this complex issue was always going to be challenging and while the talks have given us a far better understanding on some issues, other issues revealed through the talks have added further complexity. However, we have agreed to meet with representatives of the commercial fishing sector early next year where we will be taking the opportunity to explore these issues further,” Hansard concluded.

[Gad]

taken from FW email newsletter Monday 11 January

 

Supertrawler wipes out slimies on NSW south coast

 

By

Jereme Lane

| 8 January 2016

GAME fishers are reporting a distinct lack of baitfish on the NSWSouthCoast as the Geelong Star begins working the area.

Fishing Edge TV presenter Lee Rayner this week posted an image to Facebook of the freezer ship working its way down the continental shelf off the far south coast of NSW.

“Firstly they assured us they wouldn't be fishing in daylight hours and would stay away from these areas in weeks leading up to gamefishing tournaments (Bermagui Bluewater Tournament is only a few weeks away),” Rayner said yesterday.

Rayner's thoughts have been echoed by other recreational fishing representatives present at the meeting such as Allan Hansard from the Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA). “They promised to stay away from the big tournaments. Bermagui bluewater tournament starts on the 23rd January,” Hansard said.

The big talking point to come out of these talks was that Seafish Tasmania voluntarily declared it wouldn’t fish management zone 7 (Barrenjoey to Fraser Island) of the small pelagic fishery.

Senator Anne Ruston hailed the talks as a victory for rec fishos while fellow Liberal and Port Stephens MP, Bob Baldwin, used social media to spruik the outcome. 

However, while Bob Baldwin's local seat will be spared, anyone who follows the game fishing scene in NSW knows that from December to April the NSWSouthCoast is one of the most productive areas.

The Geelong Star has also been banned from fishing in waters deeper than the 700m mark
This essentially means the Geelong Star must fish in the thin strip of water between the three nautical mile mark (the closest a commonwealth-licensed vessel is permitted to fish to shore in Australia) and the edge of the continental shelf, which on the NSW South Coast runs very close to the coast (only 12 miles from Bermagui). This seems very strange considering that the original supertrawler (the FV Margiris, later renamed the Abel Tasman) ran the line with the public that the fishery was nearly three million square kilometres and that we would never even see the ship.

It would appear AFMA has promised Seafish Tasmania the most productive strip along the inside of the shelf. The Geelong Star has no choice but to fish inside the shelf on the these productive grounds and right on top of game fishermen during the height of the season.

An AFMA spokesperson had the following response.

The requirement that mid-water trawlers are not allowed to fish in waters deeper than 700m – the Deepwater Closure requirement – has been in place since 2007. The Deepwater Closure was originally implemented to protect deepwater species such as orange roughy. Given small pelagic species are fished in shallower water, often between 100 and 300 metres deep, the Deepwater Closure has minimal effect on mid-water trawl fishing in the SPF.

Information about the 700m closure has been publicly available for many years and the map presented at the meeting of 1 December 2015 between SPFIA and key recreational fishing representatives provided a summary of current spatial management measures applied by AFMA.

Furthermore, research indicates that sustainable commercial fishing for Small Pelagic Fishery species in Australian waters has only minor impacts on other parts of the ecosystem, as alternative food sources exist for large predator species like tunas.

[Gad]

So, where does the header of  “Supertrawler wipes out slimies on NSW south coast” fit in the above story ??

Quote{ “Firstly they assured us they wouldn't be fishing in daylight hours and would stay away from these areas in weeks leading up to gamefishing tournaments (Bermagui Bluewater Tournament is only a few weeks away),” Rayner said yesterday}…..

{Rayner's thoughts have been echoed by other recreational fishing representatives present at the meeting such as Allan Hansard from the Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA). “They promised to stay away from the big tournaments. Bermagui bluewater tournament starts on the 23rd January,” Hansard said.}……

Surely if  Rayner, McGlashan or the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation had asked at the Canberra meeting, ‘please tell us in actual week numbers, what {‘would stay away from these areas ‘in weeks leading up to’ gamefishing tournaments’} means, they may have got an actual date of when the Geelong Star would leave the area.

Obviously, none of them have  made a phone call and asked on what date the Geelong Star is to move out of the immediate area

Quote {The big talking point to come out of these talks was that Seafish Tasmania voluntarily declared it wouldn’t fish management zone 7 (Barrenjoey to Fraser Island) of the small pelagic fishery.}

This quote flies in the face of what the previous quotes say with regard to the Geelong Star fishing in the area.

[Gad]

Taken from Fishing World email newsletter 25-4-16

 

From 1st May, more than one million square kilometres of additional offshore waters near southern and eastern Australia will open to mid-water trawling in the Small Pelagic Fishery (SPF).

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) claim that SPF mid-water trawlers pose a low risk to deep water species such as orange roughy and gulper sharks and decided that many of the current closures are not required to protect these species during SPF trawler operations. 

The move follows calls from recreational and commercial fishers to review the closures.

AFMA’s CEO, Dr James Findlay said the removal of some closures in the SPF meant that mid-water trawlers, such as the Geelong Star, can now catch their fishing quota in a substantially greater area.

At the start of the next season, an additional offshore area more than 16 times the size of Tasmania will be available for mid-water trawlers in the SPF,” Findlay said.

AFMA claims that assessments show that bottom dwelling species in deep water areas are at low risk from SPF mid-water trawlers.

“With the changes, there will be more areas away from the coast for SPF operators to fish in,” Findlay said.

The total allowable catch limits for the SPF and operators are not affected by this decision.

More information about the Small Pelagic Fishery can be found on the AFMA website   http://www.afma.gov.au/fisheries/small-pelagic-fishery/    

[Gad]

Bottom line is: The total allowable catch limits for the SPF and operators are not affected by this decision.

[Gad]

GEELONG STAR LEAVES AUS WATERS

Taken from FW email newsletter 22 Nov.

 

The Geelong Star has departed Australian waters for good according to information received by Fishing World this afternoon.

Automatic Identification System (AIS) – the tracking system used on all ships worldwide – confirmed that the Geelong Star left Melbourne on the 31st October and is currently off the coastline of South Africa.

A spokesperson from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) confirmed that the ship is no longer Australian flagged, therefore no longer able to operate in compliance with the Fisheries Management Act 1991, and no longer under Australian jurisdiction.

AFMA also confirmed that the supertrawler is no longer fishing the Commonwealth managed Small Pelagic Fishery (SPF), that the ship isn't currently subject to any investigation by AFMA for breaches of fishing regulations and the decision to leave was made by Seafish Tasmania, the Australian operators of the ship.

[Gad]

Obviously finished taking it`s 18,623 tonnes of  allowable catch quota for 2016-17. The majority of  which was destined for human consumption in West Africa.

That represents 48% of the Total Allowable Catch set for the Small Pelagic Fishery for this period.

When one considers that approx 1 billion people around the globe, rely solely on the ocean for their main source of protein, 18623 tonnes (48%) of allowable catch is sfa in a well managed fishery.

[ellicat]

I'm pretty sure the dolphins and seals didn't become extinct as a result. Phew. Will have to wait for a year to determine if their take has resulted in devastation of the whole pelagic fishery. I doubt it. We have a well managed fishery.

[Gad]

one doesn`t often see dolphins or seals (or part thereof) washed up on beaches, so one can surmise they are a successful part of the food chain, protected or not.... bit ironic that a protected species would feed on another protected species,

then again who would have thought the sharkies would win the grand final.

[samsteele115]

great news to hear it has effed off for good. Sink the bastardddd

[Gad]

I hold those feelings for all forms that rape the global fisheries of millions of tonnes of wildfish every year for the aquaculture, pet food and fur industries.

[samsteele115]

disgraceful