TASMANIAN Seafood Industry Council chief executive Neil Stump has supported a potential return of super trawlers to Tasmania.
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A ban on a super trawler acting as a mother ship, receiving and processing fish is in place until next April.
But a two-year ban on a super trawler hauling its nets expired last week, leading to speculation that controversial vessel could return to Tasmania.
Earlier this week, an expert panel report, commissioned by the federal government, revealed the use of a super trawler would have a significant impact on a host of protected native seals and seabirds, even if precautions were taken.
A spokesman for Environment Minister Greg Hunt this week said a final decision on the matter was pending, leaving recreational fishers and environment groups outraged.
Mr Stump believes it is not the size of the trawler that people should be concerned about, however.
‘‘There is no solid reason why the vessels should remain suspended if all the correct regulations are met,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s about the actual fishing operations and the rules surrounding it. The size of the vessel shouldn’t be the issue.’’
Mr Stump said he had read the executive summary of the expert panel report into super trawlers commissioned by the government. He said while super trawlers did have an impact on marine ecosystems, so did other professions and pastimes.
‘‘In regards to the threatened and protected species, people need to recognise that there are interactions in everything, even when divers enter the water, they are still coming into contact with the habitat of those species.
‘‘We don’t have to worry about what boats like the Margiris have done elsewhere. The spotlight will be right on the operators. They will know that the spotlight will be on them too.
‘‘Let’s take it back to how they will be required to operate here in Australia.’’
Petuna Seafoods has stated it will not use a super trawler if the government ban is lifted, but Seafish Tasmania refused to rule out use of the vessel next year.
Seafish has declared it would not use the notorious super trawler Margiris.