Super trawler

Analysis and Comment (7)

Wphgbfsd-1363056896
If science is excluded from fisheries policy, we’re headed back to the bad old days of overfishing. Greg Bishop

Super trawler gone, but is fisheries policy in trouble?

By Colin Buxton, University of Tasmania; Caleb Gardner, University of Tasmania; Jeremy Lyle, University of Tasmania, and Ray Hilborn, University of Washington

Last week, the “super trawler” Abel Tasman left Australia, with far less fanfare than you might have expected. Many hail this as good news for Australian fisheries, but we believe it could be a great step…
8qrcwznp-1358986380
Banning the super trawler will do little to improve fur seal welfare. Nuytsia@Tas/flickr

What will banning the super trawler a second time achieve?

By Colin Hunt

Fisheries Minister Joe Ludwig and Environment Minister Tony Burke are seeking advice on whether to allow the Abel Tasman super trawler to act as a factory ship. Seafish Tasmania aims to skirt the fishing…
Skcgk2b4-1348033190
Tony Burke and Andrew Wilkie are happy with the super trawler wash-up. If fish could read, they’d be happy too. AAP Image/Penny Bradfield

Super trawler triggers better conservation for Australian fishes

By Jessica Meeuwig, University of Western Australia

The scientific and public debate around the super trawler FV Margiris, now reflagged as the Abel Tasman, has been significant, lively and at times, heated. The debate has been worth it: the outcome – an…
8tmdvrg4-1347343202
Super trawlers aren’t the only boats that take bycatch: 200 black browed albatross could be caught every year in the Commonwealth’s South East Trawl Fishery. Geoff Edwards

Super trawler not the only fishing problem needing review

By Colin Hunt

Tony Burke and Joe Ludwig have just announced a review of the Fisheries Management Act and the EPBC Act, thanks to public opposition to the super trawler. But the Commonwealth should take a good hard look…
K446zksb-1345768940
It’s not the fish we should worry about, but the other creatures the “super trawler” will catch. Charles Van den Broek

Bycatch the real concern as super trawler heads for Australia

By Colin Hunt

Concerns about licensing a foreign super trawler to fish our southern seas have centred on the negative effect on fish stocks. These fears are largely unfounded. The real concern is for Australian mammals…
Fq67dryx-1345008717
The Margiris is heading to Australia to catch jack mackerel, but there are plenty more fish in the sea. Richard Ling

Opposition to the Margiris ‘super trawler’ not evidence based

By Bob Kearney, University of Canberra

The Margiris “super-trawler” is heading for Australia to catch jack mackerel and associated small surface-dwelling species. It faces a lot of opposition, largely based on assertions that the vessel’s catches…

Research and News (2)

Participants (33)