Super Trawler sparks National Day of Action

People gather on the beach in Melbourne to protest the arrival of a 'super trawler' in Australian waters. Photo: Natalie Davey

The Wilderness Society joined other environment groups and members of the public at coastal locations across the country this weekend as part of a National Day of Action against a super trawler bound for Tassie's north-west coast.

The protest brought environment, commercial fishing, and tourist groups together to put pressure on the Federal Government to stop international super trawlers operating in Australian waters, to tighten industrial fishing laws, and to enforce stricter catchment quotas.

"Should the super trawler be allowed to enter our oceans, it would have a huge impact on our marine ecology, and could result in the death of seabirds, dolphins and sharks" said Jaxon Barnes, Marine Community Campaigner for the Wilderness Society in Victoria.

"The super trawler’s catchment area would be more than a kilometre wide, and the haul would include not just thousands of tonnes of fish, but 'by-catch' – other marine life caught inadvertently. The trawler takes all sealife in it's path, and fish populations would likely plummet as a result".

As part of the Day of Action, Tasmanian supporters braved the drizzle at land and sea. An estimated 500 boats formed a convoy in protest of the super trawler's impending arrival from Africa. While it's reported that the trawler would operate largely from Tasmania, it would also be allowed to enter Southern Queensland and Western Australian waters.

A petition of more than 30,000 signatures will be presented to Prime Minister Julia Gillard next week, encouraging her to speak out against this 'super' environmentally disastrous prospect, and ensure that healthy oceans remain the Government's top priority.