The Australian Government will move to ban supertrawlers from Australian waters, Senator Richard Colbeck Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture announced. Supertrawlers were defined by Labor and ENGOs as factory freezer vessels more than 130 metres – the Coalition will adopt that definition and such vessels will not be permitted to fish in Australian waters

“This Government will introduce regulations under the Fisheries Management Act to give effect to this decision,” Senator Colbeck said.“This decision will have policy effect immediately and brings into force the Prime Minister’s statement in March that supertrawlers will remain banned.”The Government acknowledges widespread community concern regarding the utilisation of these vessels to access the fishery.“While some of these fears have been generated by ill-founded anti-fishing campaigns by activist groups, the Government has consulted widely and accepts the legitimate concerns of many in the community, including those involved in recreational and commercial fishing,” Senator Colbeck said.“The Government is determined that Australian fisheries management remain among the best in the world.”The Australian Government will continue to work with the fishing sector and community to ensure a high level of public confidence in Australia’s fisheries management and continued recognition of the outstanding quality of this management.

Source : PortNews