By Celsias
Posted on Sept. 13, 2012. Listed in:
Super trawlers use an indiscriminate fishing method which can decimate fish stocks and kill turtles, dolphins, seals and other marine animals.
The first super trawler arrived in South Australia at the end of August. At that time it was named the Margiris. New Zealanders Peter and Donna Simunovich are major shareholders in the joint venture which was about to start operating the ship in South Australian waters.
Greenpeace hailed it as a victory for the Australian community which has united to reject this monster ship. The decision also sends a message to the global super-sized fishing fleets that world community opposition is growing to their unsustainable business model.
“This is what happens when we all stand together,” said Greenpeace Head of Campaigns Ben Pearson.
“Thousands of people across Australia turned out to rallies, sent letters to editors, and
pressured their local MPs. More than one person signed the Greenpeace petition ‘No super trawlers’ every minute.”
“The two year ban is welcome and we always support more scientific investigations into how we manage our oceans more sustainably,” said Pearson.
Greenpeace will continue its global campaign against overfishing.
“The decision today by the Gillard Government will give heart to communities and campaigners across the globe who continue to oppose super trawlers like the Abel Tasman and the devastating business model it represents.”
“The global overfishing problem has not gone away”, said Ben Pearson.
“There is 2.5 times more fishing capacity in the world than there are fish. This decision will put pressure on the European Union to withdraw their subsidies from the super trawler fleet and is a step towards more sustainable fishing.” said Pearson.
Greenpeace New Zealand Oceans Campaigner Karli Thomas added; “This monster ship must not continue prowling the world's oceans in search of new fishing grounds to plunder. She must return to Europe where the problems of massive government subsidies to unsustainable fishing and excessive fishing fleets need to be tackled head-on through the reform of the European Common Fisheries Policy."
Based on New Zealand's position on plundering fish stocks I am sure the super trawlers will be welcome here with open arms.
Written in September 2012