23 January 2003
Australia The Australian East Coast Tuna Boat Owners Association is working to ease tensions between the Bluefin tuna industry and recreational and charter boat operators at South-West Rocks near Kempsey, Australia.
Mid-north coast fishermen are concerned the tuna fleet's harvesting of bait fish for the catch of Bluefin tuna in Trial Bay is significantly degrading the resource.
They have threatened to blockade the Coffs Harbor marina when the tuna fleet returns in winter.
Australian East Coast Tuna Association’s executive director Hans Jusseit says the industry has been catching bait in Trial Bay for about 40 years and bait fish are not under threat.
"There's plenty of bait for everybody including the recreational and charter boat operators. We believe that we can all work together and access that in a harmonious way because it is a common resource, we both have a right to take it and we can both continue to do so without getting under each other's skin," he said.
