Fishing World ( http://www.fishingworld.com.au ) have just posted to their website BREAKING: Supertrawler leaves Australian waters for good The article begins:
CONTROVERSIAL supertrawler the Geelong Star has departed Australian waters for good according to information received by Fishing World this afternoon.
Automatic Identification System (AIS) – the tracking system used on all ships worldwide – confirmed that the Geelong Star left Melbourne on the 31st October and is currently off the coastline of South Africa. You can read the rest of the article, follow the discussion and be kept up to date by visiting this link
According to other on-line news feeds the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) are confirming the vessel is no longer under Australian jurisdiction and that the Geelong Star was not subject to any investigation by AFMA for breaches of Commonwealth fishing regulations. The Geelong Star was the subject of a recent Senate inquiry. The report from that enquiry is due to be lodged tomorrow. This will come as good news to the many fishers, both commercial and recreational, along the South Coast who have been vocal in their protests of the trawler being allowed in these waters.
