Mr MITCHELL - 1996-02-29
This morning, the minister jointly announced a strategy to minimise the accidental capture of endangered species by commercial fishermen in the Territory. Will he outline the strategy and explain to the Assembly how it will work towards reducing the chance of fishermen catching dugong for example?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, honourable members will be aware that, last year, some concerns were expressed in the media and by members of the public about a number of deaths of dugong in the McArthur River area. In response to that concern - and I believe it is a general manifestation of the awareness that the commercial fishing sector in the Territory has in relation to its responsibilities to the environment - the Northern Territory Fishing Industry Council has developed a strategy for minimising chances of accidental dugong capture within Territory waters.
In relation to the feeding grounds, the seagrass beds in the area of the port at McArthur River, the Fishing Industry Council has proposed to the government that a closure line be enforced 1000 m seaward of the low-water mark. What that will do, of course, is exclude very
Page 1254
large areas of the port from commercial fishing. The council has also suggested the imposition in that area of a maximum net size of 7 in. Together with the maximum net size, restrictions will be imposed on the strength of materials used in the construction of those nets.
Given that they are mammals, dugong obviously need to come to the surface to breathe. That area of sea within 1000 m of the low-water mark is relatively shallow. If a fisherman were accidentally to snare a dugong in that area, it is generally considered that the dugong would survive. Seaward of the closure line, in much deeper waters, a snared dugong cannot reach the surface. In due course, if attention has not been paid to the net, the animal will drown. An education program is combined with this. One of its main features will be the incorporation, as a module within the Northern Territory Certificate 2 in Commercial Fishing, of endangered species awareness information. The idea is obviously for all commercial fishermen in the Northern Territory to be aware of endangered species and of fishing methods they can implement that will reduce the chance of accidental capture. This strategy addresses not only the problems we have experienced with dugong but also those affecting other animals such as sea turtles. We have good numbers of sea turtles and dugong in the Northern Territory. Recent surveys indicate that the numbers of dugong in the Gulf of Carpentaria are stable at least, if not increasing.
I congratulate the Northern Territory Fishing Industry Council on this initiative. It does reflect the conservative nature of the fishing management regime in the Northern Territory which is acknowledged as being one of the most conservative regimes in Australia, if not the world. I believe it is a worthwhile initiative on the part of the Fishing Industry Council to recognise its obligations in relation to the protection of the environment.
Page 1255
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, honourable members will be aware that, last year, some concerns were expressed in the media and by members of the public about a number of deaths of dugong in the McArthur River area. In response to that concern - and I believe it is a general manifestation of the awareness that the commercial fishing sector in the Territory has in relation to its responsibilities to the environment - the Northern Territory Fishing Industry Council has developed a strategy for minimising chances of accidental dugong capture within Territory waters.
In relation to the feeding grounds, the seagrass beds in the area of the port at McArthur River, the Fishing Industry Council has proposed to the government that a closure line be enforced 1000 m seaward of the low-water mark. What that will do, of course, is exclude very
Page 1254
large areas of the port from commercial fishing. The council has also suggested the imposition in that area of a maximum net size of 7 in. Together with the maximum net size, restrictions will be imposed on the strength of materials used in the construction of those nets.
Given that they are mammals, dugong obviously need to come to the surface to breathe. That area of sea within 1000 m of the low-water mark is relatively shallow. If a fisherman were accidentally to snare a dugong in that area, it is generally considered that the dugong would survive. Seaward of the closure line, in much deeper waters, a snared dugong cannot reach the surface. In due course, if attention has not been paid to the net, the animal will drown. An education program is combined with this. One of its main features will be the incorporation, as a module within the Northern Territory Certificate 2 in Commercial Fishing, of endangered species awareness information. The idea is obviously for all commercial fishermen in the Northern Territory to be aware of endangered species and of fishing methods they can implement that will reduce the chance of accidental capture. This strategy addresses not only the problems we have experienced with dugong but also those affecting other animals such as sea turtles. We have good numbers of sea turtles and dugong in the Northern Territory. Recent surveys indicate that the numbers of dugong in the Gulf of Carpentaria are stable at least, if not increasing.
I congratulate the Northern Territory Fishing Industry Council on this initiative. It does reflect the conservative nature of the fishing management regime in the Northern Territory which is acknowledged as being one of the most conservative regimes in Australia, if not the world. I believe it is a worthwhile initiative on the part of the Fishing Industry Council to recognise its obligations in relation to the protection of the environment.
Page 1255
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016