Geelong Star to fish more Australian waters

From this Sunday, May 1, 2016, more than one million square kilometres of additional offshore waters near southern and eastern Australia will open to mid-water trawling in the Small Pelagic Fishery (SPF).

This means factory trawlers like the controversial Geelong Star, dubbed The Death Ship for its shocking catch record including dolphins, albatross, seals and at least one whale shark, can cast a much wider net regarding where it fishes.

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) says it found that SPF mid-water trawlers pose a low risk to deep water species such as orange roughy and gulper sharks and decided that many of the current closures are not required to protect these species during SPF trawler operations.

But it says nothing about dolphins, albatross, seals, whale shark and other by-catch that is swept up in the huge nets and fishing tackle near the surface.

AFMA reckons the move follows calls from recreational and commercial fishers to review the closures. We don't know any rec fishers who have made representations of this kind, but we do know of overarching support to have the factory trawler banned from fishing altogether.

AFMA’s CEO, Dr James Findlay said the removal of some closures in the SPF meant that mid-water trawlers, such as the Geelong Star, can now catch their fishing quota in a substantially greater area. This could also potentially mean greater interactions with mammals.

"At the start of the next season, an additional offshore area more than 16 times the size of Tasmania will be available for mid-water trawlers in the SPF," Dr Findlay said.

"AFMA makes decisions based on the best available science and risk assessments. Assessments show that bottom-dwelling species in deep water areas are at low risk from SPF mid-water trawlers.

"With the changes, there will be more areas away from the coast for SPF operators to fish in.

"However, it should be noted fish stocks in all Commonwealth waters are a shared resource for Australians, across multiple industries and sectors, to use sustainably and enjoy."

This is a potshot at rec fishers who have been shocked to see the Geelong Star trolling up and down the game fisheries from Tasmania to the NSW South Coast.

The total allowable catch limits for the SPF and operators are not affected by this decision and all catches will continue to be closely monitored, AFMA says.

We hope this includes the capture of marine mammals, endangered sea birds, bycatch like mako sharks and marlin, and full disclosure on these worrying matters.

AFMA says closures will remain in place to protect deep water species during bottom trawling operations in other fisheries. But given the track record of The Death Ship and AFMA's veiled secrecy about its operations, we are treating any and all management declarations and plans for the SPF with just contempt.

Factory ships of this nature don't belong in Australian waters.