Newly minted Primary Industries Minister
Jo Palmer has confirmed she is pushing ahead with major changes to the
Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fishery without carrying out necessary and crucial
research.
Ms Palmer is proposing a change
which will extend the area where the maximum number of 60 pots can be used to
include the North East and the North West – a decision which will have a
devastating impact on fishers, their families and their communities.
But in Estimates Hearings, Ms
Palmer has admitted no research into the social and economic fallout has been
undertaken and the decision is entirely in her hands.
She should either abandon the plan
or, at the very, least do the homework that needs to be done so she can have a
true picture of its damaging impact.
If Ms Palmer proceeds with the plan
to change the 60 pot rule without consideration of fishers, farmers and their
communities, it’s clear this proposed change is purely political.
It was confirmed in
Estimates there is no current socio-economic research or data to inform this
damaging rule change and the Minister in making the decision, could seek that
information from IMAS.
The Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fishery makes a major
contribution to the Tasmanian economy, with many of these fishers small
business operators.
The government’s move to change the rules
in the fishery will be detrimental to smaller operators, forcing them off the
water, as well as impacting local businesses who rely on the income generated
by these fishers.
Ms Palmer needs to clarify today when she intends to seek this important research.
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries
