Primary Industries & Rural Communities, Henry Palaszczuk

15/04/03


Federal fish reform must target pirate fishing

The Queensland Government wants a new Commonwealth fisheries policy, due to be announced next month, to target the increasing tide of illegal foreign fishing particularly from Indonesia.

Queensland Primary Industries Minister Henry Palaszczuk, whose comments follow the arrival of another apprehended Indonesian fishing vessel to Thursday Island yesterday, said illegal fishing undermined fisheries management and resource protection.

The Federal Government has confirmed that the total of 29 boats had now been apprehended for illegal fishing in northern Australian waters since the start of the year, including eight illegal boats in the past week.

Mr Palaszczuk said he expected the Federal Government to detail new measures to tackle illegal foreign fishing when the policy was announced on 15 May.

"The review was first announced by the then Minister Warren Truss in June 2000. In announcing the review at the time, Mr Truss specifically referred to 'pirate fishing operations' as a new challenge for Australia's fishing industry," Mr Palaszczuk said.

"Since that time, illegal fishing apprehensions in Australian waters have increased. Last year, there were 111 vessels apprehended."

Mr Palaszczuk said he was pleased the current Federal Fisheries Minister Ian Macdonald intended to announce the outcomes of the policy review next month.

"How the policy deals with illegal fishing will be an important test.

Meanwhile, Mr Palaszczuk said officers of the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol joined colleagues with the Australian Customs Service in apprehending the Indonesian fishing vessel and its seven crew, who were transported to Thursday Island.

Media contact: Kirby Anderson 0418 197 350


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