Ms LAWRIE - 2004-05-20
Could you please advise the Assembly when the closure of the Adelaide River - and I acknowledge the students from Adelaide River here today - to commercial barramundi netting will be implemented. It is an issue that is dear to the hearts of many of the Territory’s recreational fishermen, including the many fishermen who live in Karama and Malak.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Karama for her question. I am very pleased to answer this question, because the member for Daly has been asking all week about something that has happened at Adelaide River and he is about to get his answer.
Members interjecting.
Mr VATSKALIS: And the member for Goyder, yes, because we will have plenty of time for fishing.
I am very happy to announce that the Adelaide River will be closed to commercial barramundi fishing on 1 July 2004. It is great news for Territorians, tour operators, tourists and AFANT. A few minutes ago, when I announced it publicly, you could not wipe the smile off John Harrison’s face, the executive officer of AFANT, who was present and is now in the gallery.
1 July 2004 is the first day after the end of the commercial fishery licensing year. I made an offer to buy a full 10 unit commercial barramundi licence from an existing operator, and also I made an ex gratia payment to a person who historically fishes on Daly River to assist him to relocate.
This decision was not made in isolation. The government did not make the unilateral decision. We actually put this proposal to the Aquatic Users Group Forum. They considered it. They came back to us with a number or recommendations. I proceeded with the recommendations.
Mr Maley: It took you three years.
Mr VATSKALIS: Yes, the member for Goyder said it took time. That is true, and the reason for that is that the Aquatic Users Group Forum considered it and that took some time. They had to make an offer to commercial barramundi fishermen and they had to consider the position before they agree or disagree with the proposal.
I am very pleased to say that the Adelaide River will be closed to commercial barramundi fishing from 1 July, and that is great news for the amateur fishermen.
For the first time ever, commercial, indigenous and recreational fishers reached agreement on the circumstances under which a river shall be closed to commercial barramundi fishing. The future of our fisheries are very important for us to simply gamble away days before the election. We certainly were not going to proceed unilaterally, in keeping with the previous government when they decided four days before the election in 2001 to close McArthur River. They said that they consulted with the industry. However, unfortunately, the Northern Territory Seafood Council Chairman, Mr Nigel Scullion, said they had failed to consult with the industry. Mr Scullion said:
We do not believe with that; we believe in consultation. We consulted with the users, including the commercial fishermen. We have accepted the recommendation, we bought a commercial licence and now we are closing the Daly River. Again, I invite all the stakeholders to get together with the department to develop a 10-year plan for the barramundi fishery now that the river is being closed. I am pleased to say that we have had some positive responses.
Barramundi fishing is not only a favourite pastime of Territorians but also of many tourists. They come to the Territory in the Dry Season, to enjoy our great Territory lifestyle, our rivers and barramundi fishing. When I was at the Barra Nationals, people from down south were amazed at the quality of the rivers and of the natural environment. Our rivers even had water, some of them commented. I suppose when comparing it to the Murray, certainly the Daly has much more water than the Murray. It is great news for Territorians, and for fishermen. I am looking forward to going to the Daly River with Mr Harrison one day.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Karama for her question. I am very pleased to answer this question, because the member for Daly has been asking all week about something that has happened at Adelaide River and he is about to get his answer.
Members interjecting.
Mr VATSKALIS: And the member for Goyder, yes, because we will have plenty of time for fishing.
I am very happy to announce that the Adelaide River will be closed to commercial barramundi fishing on 1 July 2004. It is great news for Territorians, tour operators, tourists and AFANT. A few minutes ago, when I announced it publicly, you could not wipe the smile off John Harrison’s face, the executive officer of AFANT, who was present and is now in the gallery.
1 July 2004 is the first day after the end of the commercial fishery licensing year. I made an offer to buy a full 10 unit commercial barramundi licence from an existing operator, and also I made an ex gratia payment to a person who historically fishes on Daly River to assist him to relocate.
This decision was not made in isolation. The government did not make the unilateral decision. We actually put this proposal to the Aquatic Users Group Forum. They considered it. They came back to us with a number or recommendations. I proceeded with the recommendations.
Mr Maley: It took you three years.
Mr VATSKALIS: Yes, the member for Goyder said it took time. That is true, and the reason for that is that the Aquatic Users Group Forum considered it and that took some time. They had to make an offer to commercial barramundi fishermen and they had to consider the position before they agree or disagree with the proposal.
I am very pleased to say that the Adelaide River will be closed to commercial barramundi fishing from 1 July, and that is great news for the amateur fishermen.
For the first time ever, commercial, indigenous and recreational fishers reached agreement on the circumstances under which a river shall be closed to commercial barramundi fishing. The future of our fisheries are very important for us to simply gamble away days before the election. We certainly were not going to proceed unilaterally, in keeping with the previous government when they decided four days before the election in 2001 to close McArthur River. They said that they consulted with the industry. However, unfortunately, the Northern Territory Seafood Council Chairman, Mr Nigel Scullion, said they had failed to consult with the industry. Mr Scullion said:
- ‘I was in Jabiru and the Treasurer, Mike Reed, rang and told me that the government was going to make the announcement. That was not consultation. It was like being told the whole family has a terminal illness’.
We do not believe with that; we believe in consultation. We consulted with the users, including the commercial fishermen. We have accepted the recommendation, we bought a commercial licence and now we are closing the Daly River. Again, I invite all the stakeholders to get together with the department to develop a 10-year plan for the barramundi fishery now that the river is being closed. I am pleased to say that we have had some positive responses.
Barramundi fishing is not only a favourite pastime of Territorians but also of many tourists. They come to the Territory in the Dry Season, to enjoy our great Territory lifestyle, our rivers and barramundi fishing. When I was at the Barra Nationals, people from down south were amazed at the quality of the rivers and of the natural environment. Our rivers even had water, some of them commented. I suppose when comparing it to the Murray, certainly the Daly has much more water than the Murray. It is great news for Territorians, and for fishermen. I am looking forward to going to the Daly River with Mr Harrison one day.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016