Brumby Government MIA on Mako Sharks
23-December-2009
The Brumby Government has failed to speak up for recreational and game fishers on the proposed ban on catching mako sharks.
State Member for Hastings Neale Burgess said that while the Queensland and New South Wales Governments argued strongly against the ban, Victoria was missing-in-action.
Mr Burgess said that to ban mako shark fishing was ridiculous as there was no threat to the species and the ban would only hurt local economies and recreational game fishers.
“Many recreational and game fishers travel to our area to catch these sharks and they spend significant dollars on accommodation, fuel and fishing gear.
“Indeed VRFish estimate that this ban could cost the Victorian economy $150 million annually.”
Mr Burgess said that a Federal Environment Department explanatory memorandum tabled in Federal Parliament showed that the Department wrote to all State and Territory Governments but that only New South Wales and Queensland had expressed concerns about the proposed ban on fishing for Mako Sharks.
“Clearly the Brumby Labor Government has put the interests of their Labor mates in Canberra ahead of the real interests of coastal rural economies and recreational game fishers in Victoria.”
Mr Burgess said that it was particularly galling that the ban on fishing for mako sharks was purely as a result of a complex international treaty.
“Even Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett says that there is no evidence suggesting Australian mako shark populations are under any threat.
“If the Europeans want to ban fishing for these species in their waters, that’s their business, however the Federal Labor Government should have the backbone to advise that mako shark fishing would be continued in Australian waters as they are not under any threat.
“In recent years Victoria has benefited significantly from the seasonal blue fin tuna fishing boom. Fishing for mako sharks is a year round recreational fishing activity which spreads the economic benefits from game fishing across all seasons.
“Many local and visiting fishers are also actively involved in mako shark ‘tag-and-release’ programs which help researchers gain a greater understanding of these and other shark species. However, even these tag-and-release programs will be banned after 29 January under the new Federal Government rules.”
Mr Burgess said that to ban mako shark fishing was ridiculous as there was no threat to the species and the ban would only hurt local economies and recreational game fishers.