Proposed changes to the rules and policies
of the Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fishery have the potential to destroy regional
communities and a Tasmanian way of life.
The proposed change to expand the 60-pot
rule would decimate smaller fishers who have passed this tradition down through
family generations.
The government’s rule change
proposes to increase the area where the maximum number of 60 pots can be used
and carried by a commercial vessel to include the North East and the North West
where currently commercial vessels can only carry 50 pots.
The Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fishery makes a
major contribution to the Tasmanian economy, with many of these fishers small
business operators.
Many of these smaller fishers, who have
fished alongside their fathers, uncles and grandfathers for generations will be
impacted by this.
This 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.
The timing of the proposed changes was
poorly considered given that the review of the Living Marine Resources
Management Act and Harvest Strategy had not yet been completed.
How can we implement a rule of this
magnitude when the overarching governing instrument has not been created? It is
like putting the cart before the horse and does not prepare our world-renowned
fishery for the future.
I have brought this issue to the attention
to the Minister for Primary Industries and Water Jo Palmer a number of times
through questions in both the Upper and Lower Houses.
Minister Palmer has said that she supports regional fishers but she is yet to answer direct questions on this rule change and must immediately intervene.
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries
