To news that the super trawler Geelong Star is no longer operating in Australian waters, I say “good riddance to bad rubbish.”
All Tasmanians, especially those who love recreational fishing, will welcome the news.
The Hodgman Liberal Government’s position on factory freezer trawlers, such as the Geelong Star, has been consistent – they are banned in Tasmanian waters and will remain banned.
Now that Australian Fisheries Management Authority has confirmed the Geelong Star is now no longer operating in Australian waters, Tasmanian recreational fishers can breathe a sigh of relief. I will continue to work with authorities to ensure that Supertrawlers are never allowed to operate in our waters.