The truth about our fisheries

Australians are fortunate to have access to some of the world’s most sustainably-sourced seafood, but our fishing industry is under threat due to unfounded marine reserves according to Drawing The Line, a compelling new documentary that tells the ‘other side’ of the marine park debate.

In celebration of World Fisheries Day, Sydney Fish Market is hosting a public screening of Drawing The Line in an effort to counter the misinformation that Australians have been fed about the state of the country’s fisheries.

Sydney Fish Market General Manager Bryan Skepper, said: "We are proud to support this film that shares the story of our country’s hardworking fishers and tells the truth about the sustainability of Australia’s fisheries. We want seafood lovers to know that when they buy Australian seafood they can be confident that it is sustainable."

Australia is primed to implement the largest marine reserve network in the world, including a 1 million square kilometre marine park in the Coral Sea, under a management plan devised by the former Labor Government.

While industry has applauded a pre-election pledge by then Opposition Leader, and now Prime Minister, Tony Abbott to review the plan, Drawing The Line takes the debate to the Australian public, to set the record straight.

Shot in fishing communities around Australia, Drawing The Line tells of scientists’ and fishers’ fears that Australia’s marine policy fails to address the real threats to the marine environmentand is driven by knee-jerk politics, rather than science.

According to eminent scientists in the film, Australia has the third largest marine estate in the world, but one of the lowest harvest rates. Further locking up of seafood resources in marine reserves will affect food security in Australia, where already 70 per cent of the seafood we eat is imported.

Professor Colin Buxton of the University of Tasmania, who is featured in the film, said: "Due to good fisheries management in Australia over the past 20 years, the number of species classed as overfished has reduced from 42 per cent to four per cent. Also, no marine species has ever been lost due to fishing."

Drawing the Line is the brainchild of Bruce Davey, a mackerel fisherman who is among 10,000 Aussie fishers facing an uncertain future. Davey and his wife Juanita are the primary financers of the film.

The filmmakers are launching the documentary with screening events around Australia including the World Fisheries Day event at Sydney Fish Market’s auction hall. The event will feature a Q&A panel with the filmmakers and Professor Colin Buxton and will be open to media, the public and industry. Tickets are $15 with all proceeds going to OceanWatch Australia.

To purchase tickets contact Bonnie Hughes on 02 9004 1146 or bonnieh@sydneyfishmarket.com.au.

World Fisheries Day is celebrated on 21 November by fishing communities throughout the world.

This day highlights the importance of the ocean and its role in sustaining lives both in and out of the water.

Following the launch screenings the film will be available to purchase as an internet download and DVD on the website – www.drawingthelinefilm.com