Source: Fishing World
Angler protest about plans to sanction the slaughter of thousands of tons of billfish and tuna by the east coast long-line fleet has reached the ears of the federal politicians who control the fishery.
Mike Kelly, the parliamentary secretary for fisheries, is reviewing the decision made by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to disregard scientific advice and allow the long-line fleet to catch unsustainable numbers of tuna, marlin and swordfish.
Fishing World contacted Dr. Kelly’s office this morning and was told that he is looking at the processes behind the AFMA decision to allow almost 10,000 tons of yellowfin, bigeye, swordfish, striped marlin and albacore to be caught by commercial operators over the next 12 months.
The AFMA proposal, if accepted by Dr. Kelly and Fisheries Minister Senator Joe Ludwig, means that commercial operators will be allowed almost 4000 tons more than is recommended by government scientists as a sustainable fishery.
Dr. Kelly’s office said he was aware of the issue and would release official comments either late today or tomorrow morning.
Political pundits involved in the campaign to halt the gamefish catches say this development is “encouragingâ€.
“What has happened is that we have got the issue away from the (AFMA) bureaucrats and placed it with the politicians,†one senior source told. “This doesn’t mean the government will actually do anything but the fact that we’ve brought it to their attention, and that they are looking at it, is encouraging.â€