The motion, which was debated and passed at Wednesday’s council meeting, was proposed by Greens councillor Keith Hughes.

The motion also called on council to write to Liberal Member for Eden-Monaro Peter Hendy to request he oppose the continued presence of the Geelong Star on the Far South Coast and oppose its return to regional waters at any time in the future.

It also called for council to write to Bega MP Andrew Constance to thank him for his opposition to the Geelong Star and request he initiate action by the state government to protect NSW small pelagic fisheries and marine life.

"It's not just the Geelong Star, which is currently ravaging fish populations off our coast, it's all factory freezer trawlers,” Cr Hughes said ahead of yesterday’s meeting.

"They are a disaster for the environment, for other fishers and for the region's small business economy. 

"They contribute nothing; they don't even call in to ports on our coast.

"They leave a trail of destruction, by-catch, decimation of target species, and even kill threatened species such as albatross.

"The Geelong Star has killed dolphins, seals and, for me the last straw, it caught a whale shark," he said.

Cr Hughes accused Dr Hendy of having "resolutely sat on the fence on this issue", adding that other federal Liberals had opposed the Geelong Star.

Cr Hughes' motion called on council to "condemn” the activities of super trawlers such as the Geelong Star.

Councillors voted in favour of the motion – 5-2, with two absent – but opted to change the word “condemn” to “oppose”.

A packed public gallery listened to deputations from eco-tourism operator Sven Helland and recreational fisherman Greg McKay, warmly applauding as they put their arguments.

A national day of action against super trawlers like the Geelong Star is scheduled for Thursday across four states, with protesters expected at the Bega office of Dr Hendy at 11am.