The Beagle
Jan 31, 2017
AFMA provides no answers with public comment closing on pair trawling in the SPF
By Jereme Lane | 30 January 2017 | Fishing World
THE Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has once again slapped recreational fishos in the face by refusing to answer key questions regarding the pair trawling operation that could replace the controversial super trawler.
The recently departed Geelong Star supertrawler – and its predecessor the Abel Tasman – created huge controversy in the Small Pelagic Fishery (SPF) over several years mainly due to the veil of secrecy maintained over its operations by both industry and government.
With no super trawler currently operating in Australian waters AFMA has received an application from Atlantis Fisheries Consulting Group to fish the SPF using a pair trawling operation, something that is not currently allowed.Pair trawling involves the use of two boats to shoot and drag a large net through the water to catch schooling slimy mackerel and other species, which will then be sold as aquaculture feed and recreational fishing bait.
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