Tag Archives: Victorian Government
Tensions rise ahead of net fishing ban on the Gippsland Lakes
Last month, with a stroke of a legislative pen, Gary Leonard lost his livelihood. The Victorian Government enacted its election promise of banning commercial fishing of the Gippsland Lakes in eastern Victoria. Mr Leonard is one of 10 licensees who by law must pull up their nets by April 1, 2021.,, Fish scientist Ross Winstanley, is angry about the commercial fishing ban and accuses the State Government of double standards. “If you were concerned about fishing’s impact on the ability of a stock to recover, why would you shut down 10 operators who are taking 15 tonnes [per annum], while you know there is a recreational take of 200 tonnes?” he said. >click to read< 16:11
Tasmanian researchers say Scallop deaths linked to seismic surveys being carried out on seabed
A link can be drawn between seismic testing for mineral resources and scallop deaths, Tasmanian researchers say. The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation has released findings of a four-year study into the impact of marine seismic surveys on south-east Australian lobster and scallop populations. The study began after Tasmanian fisherman were convinced seismic testing carried out by the Victorian Government in Bass Strait in 2010 caused a massive die-off. Seismic testing involves firing soundwaves into the ocean floor to detect the presence of oil or gas reserves. Bridport fisherman Allan Barnett was hit hard from the 2010 mass mortality. “The industry blames the seismic activity for the death of virtually all the scallops in that bed which was 24,000 tonne — about $70 million worth,” he said. Read the story here 10:24
