Operators of controversial trawler Geelong Star have agreed to avoid recreational fishers during the summer months.
The agreement was hammered out in a meeting between recreational fishers and the Small Pelagic Fishery Industry Association (SPFIA) in Canberra.
SPFIA Chairman Grahame Turk said the meeting was convened in a bid to find common ground between commercial trawler operators and recreational fishers in Australia’s small pelagic fishery.
“The operators of the Geelong Star made a major concession today,” Mr Turk said.
“They have agreed to not fish in Zone Seven for the rest of this fishing season, ending April 30, 2016.
“Zone Seven is a massive area of the Small Pelagic Fishery extending from Barrenjoey Headland, near Sydney, to Fraser Island, off Queensland, covering close to one million square kilometres of ocean.
“In addition, the operators of the Geelong Star recognize that the summer months bring more recreational fishers into the waters of southern NSW and Victoria.
“The operators have pledged to use their best endeavours to avoid interactions with recreational fishers while a longer term agreement between recreational fishers and the SPFIA and the Geelong Star is developed.
“This includes avoiding fishing near major game fishing tournaments,” Mr Turk said.
He said the SPFIA and the operators of the Geelong Star agreed to continue to work with the recreational fishing sector to reach agreement on other matters before the start of the next SPF fishing season next May.
Staunch Geelong Star opponent, Corangamite Sarah Henderson, said the agreement was welcome but was disappointed no Victorian waters were included.
“For many months, I have been calling for the Geelong Star to be banned,” Ms Henderson said.
“A night-time ban on the SPF was put in place by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) in May this year.
“After nine dolphin deaths and the resumption of overnight fishing, enough was enough. I support the continuation of a night time ban.”
