Super trawlers are set to be permanently banned from operating in Tasmanian waters.
A Bill to ban the freezer factories will be debated in the House of Assembly this week, Lyons Liberal MP Mark Shelton said today.
Mr Shelton said the Hodgman Liberal Government proudly supported recreational fishing in Tasmania.
“Recreational fishing is a way of life for many people and a significant contributor to our growing economy and jobs in regional Tasmania,” Mr Shelton said.
“Recreational fishers have been extremely concerned about the potential impact super trawlers could have on the small pelagic fishery and depletion of local fish stocks.”
Mr Shelton said the Fisheries (Scalefish) Rules 2015 prohibited trawling in State waters.
“But, the level of contention has increased in recent years with the advent of large factory super trawlers.
“As a result, the Government has decided to strengthen the ban and to give greater certainty that their industry and favourite past time has long term protection,” Mr Shelton said.
“The Bill amends the Living Marine Resource Management Act 1995 to put into primary legislation the ban on all trawling in State waters. This means it would then take an Act of the Parliament to reverse that ban.
“Super trawlers are a threat to Tasmania's fisheries and to our recreational lifestyle, and the Government is committed to seeing the back of them.”
The most recent data shows the recreational fishing industry is worth $93 million to the Tasmanian economy in terms of boats, fuel, fishing gear and other equipment.
Mr Shelton said 1 in 4 Tasmanians went fishing in 2012 and spent, on average, $1000 a year on fishing related expenses.