super sized trawlers- no thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob10

Could you please explain the science to a layman like me, as you know it is sound, Bob

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

Yes I'd like to hear it too, particularly the bit about the research being done a decade ago without any concept of the size of this vessel and it's ability to continue taking more fish out an area while normal sized trawlers have to return to port to empty their holds.

As I understand it the ban is two years for up-to-date research considering a vessel of this size.

Well you can both go and do your own research as to the science starting with the AFMA, DAFF and Environment websites.

The Government is not disputing the fishery stock assessments and indeed Minister Burke last signed off on them as late a 2009 - data is constantly being collected via the Observer and other programs and fed into the models that scientists use to calculate the stock assessment process.

The issue the Government now has seems to relate to bycatch issues etc - the fact is that bycatch is an issue in most fisheries and its impacts are well known with mitigation measures in place in many fisheries. All well and good but the issues are known so there is nothing new here. With this method of fishing, I do not know about the impact on dolphins but seals will generally be quite safe as they are smart enough and agile enough to swim in and out of the nets and if get caught up to escape via the chutes in the net - indeed they swim up the chute to steal the fish. But bycatch is a fact off life.

garry