In defence of Geelong Star
What a blatant waste of time and ratepayer resources the Bega Valley Shire Council undertook with its posturing over the Geelong Star (Magnet, 26/6).
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The Geelong Star operates in a Commonwealth managed fishery. As such it fishes outside of state waters and obviously beyond the shire’s boundaries.
It was reported in the local newspaper that the council recently considered a motion proposed by Greens councillor Keith Hughes, and resolved to write to Liberal Member for Eden-Monaro Peter Hendy asking him to oppose the continued presence of the vessel in the shire.
One wonders at the ease with which the council has been apparently brainwashed into demanding their local federal representative take action to ban the Geelong Star in order to “protect NSW small pelagic fisheries and marine life”.
The science surrounding this issue does not support such a position. In fact, available science demonstrates that a so-called “super trawler” has less overall environmental impact than using a fleet of smaller trawlers to harvest the same quota-based fishery.
The Western Australian Fishing Industry Council urges you to consider the potential disservice to Australia’s $2.5billion commercial fishing industry if this Green-driven agenda is given more than short shrift.
The small pelagic fishery harvested by the Geelong Star is a quota-based fishery – it cannot be “raped and pillaged”. Once the quota limit is reached fishing stops.
Using one freezer factory vessel, that can add significant value to the catch by processing it quickly so that a greater proportion is available for human consumption, that reduces the overall carbon footprint associated with fuel use and that ensures economies of scale, is a scientifically sound approach.
Freezer factory vessels use the same size net as smaller trawlers and so have an equal likelihood of non-targeted by-catch. However, the fact that they are required to have independent observers on board to monitor their fishing activity means any impacts on marine life other than the targeted species is more readily mitigated.
If the council feels it cannot trust industry to make the case, then at least have confidence in the demonstrated science that the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and that state and Commonwealth regulators use to manage and oversee this fishery.
John Harrison, chief executive officer, WA Fishing Industry Council
The money-go-round
It's amazing just how far a pot of money will go.
Last week PM Malcolm Turnbull, visiting Merimbula and Eden, announced a $50 million spendathon on redeveloping Eden Port and upgrading Merimbula Airport.
The headline could have been "Federal Government delivers major upgrade to Eden port" - but this was reported in the Narooma News on July 8, 2013, referring to Mike Kelly's announcement prior to the last election. The upgrade was similarly announced in 2013 by Peter Hendy following his election, in 2014 by state MP Andrew Constance and resurfaced again last week out of this year's pork barrel.
However, $50million is a lot in anyone's language; let's examine its components: $44million is to be spent on Eden Port comprising $32million from the State Government, $2million from BVSC plus the $10million Commonwealth money already announced in 2013 by Mike Kelly.
The airport upgrade comprises State Government grant of $4.4million plus $1.2million from the Commonwealth, provided the BVSC forks out a matching amount of $1.2million.
So the entire visit, offered additional funding of $1.2million from the feds - probably as much as the VIP Jet visit cost taxpayers on Monday! The old pea and thimble trick still works!
David Kindon, Merimbula