Congratulations to Warrnambool Councillors Peter Hulin and John Harris
on their stand against the Dutch super fishing trawler.
This, the second largest commercial fishing vessel in the
world and the largest trawler ever to fish in Australian waters, has been given
permission to trawl for 17,500 tonnes of baitfish per year, which is the
favourite food of bluefin tuna, albatross and many other sea creatures. Bluefin tuna is an endangered species and is
at present hunted by both commercial and recreational fishers. The invasion of
this Dutch monster will push tuna even closer to extinction.
According to Greenpeace the industrial super trawler is part
of the European Association of pelagic freezer trawlers (PFA) responsible for
the greatest depletion of fish resources on the planet. In waters off the
Chilean coast they have driven jack mackerel numbers down by 90%. That huge
drop in numbers brings to mind the famous study by Dr. Boris Worm, who
announced in 2006 that if overfishing and sea pollution continues unchecked, by
2048 the only creatures left in the ocean will be jellyfish.
Why has the government allowed such unsustainable fishing in
the waters of Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean?
Now is the time to voice our protest because once the fish
have gone they will never return. The
Warrnambool Environmental Action Group supports the councillors and all
environment groups in their protests against this menace and encourages every
Australian to do the same.
No comments:
Post a Comment