Legislation has been introduced in Parliament to extend the legal powers of the Environment Minister, Tony Burke, over the super trawler FV Abel Tasman, (formerly FV Margiris), to prevent the vessel from fishing in Australian waters.

 

Under existing law there are no general powers in the EPBC Act to prevent new fishing vessels like the FV Abel Tasman from fishing while further scientific assessments are undertaken.

 

Mr Burke said that he used all the powers available to him under the EPBC Act to limit the impact of the super trawler on listed species.

 

“It was my view that legislative change should not be pursued until we knew how far I could go under current law.

 

“Once it was clear that my legal powers under the EPBC Act were constrained I commenced working with my department on these changes.

 

“That is why I directed that urgent legislation be drafted to amend the EPBC Act to stop the FV Abel Tasman,” he said.

 

The amendment will prohibit the super trawler engaging in a declared fishing activity in Commonwealth waters while a further assessment is undertaken by an expert panel that will report directly to the Minister.

 

With the new powers in place, the Minister said he will work with the Fisheries Minister to set up an expert panel to conduct an assessment of all of the potential impacts of the FV Abel Tasman before it can be given approval to fish in Commonwealth waters.

“Until this expert panel has reported to the parliament on their assessment, the declared fishing activity will be prohibited.”