July 9, 2010
Australian Council to uphold shrimp trawling ban
An appeal for help from Coffs Coast professional fishermen failed to win Coffs Harbour City Council support last night.
Fishermen said proposed changes to the Solitary Islands Marine Park, including a ban on shrimp trawling, might kill the local seafood industry.
Councillor John Arkan sought council support to lobby the State and Federal Government to stop the ban. He said the vote went against him but steps will be taken to ease concerns.
"I think it's really important for fishermen and the people in that industry to be heard," Arkan said.
"In line with last night's motion, the one that did get up was that we hold a workshop with people from both sides, opposing and approving the ban, to come along to council and inform councillors.
"Let us hear the issues and we'll see where we go with that," Arkan added.
The Sydney fish market also took an opposing stand in response to the shrimp trawling ban and expressed its support behind the Coffs coast's commercial fishing industry.
The shrimp trawling ban would very much affect the supply of high-quality shrimps to the market, said Grahame Turk, the managing director of Sydney fish market.
Turk also expressed the need for sustainable harvest seafood for the population.
