Geelong Star
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Faroe Islands | |
| Name |
|
| Operator | list error: <br /> list (help) Parlevliet & Van der Plas BV Seafish Tasmania (2015-16) |
| Port of registry | Klaksvik |
| Builder | Frisian Shipyard Welgelegen, Harlingen |
| Launched | 1983 |
| Homeport | Klaksvik |
| Identification | list error: <br /> list (help) IMO number: 8918318 MMSI number: 231132000 Call sign: PDQW     OW2072 (2017} |
| Status | In service |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Super Trawler |
| Tonnage | list error: <br /> list (help) 5,099 GT 4,475 DWT |
| Length | 103.95 m (341.0 ft) |
| Beam | 15.3 m (50 ft) |
| Draught | 7.8 m (26 ft) |
Naeraberg is a 5,099 GT super trawler and factory ship, built in the Netherlands by Frisian Shipyard Welgelegen, Harlingen in 1983.
Australian operations
The ship was operated in Australia from 2015 until 2016 by Seafish Tasmania under the name FV Geelong Star and was permitted to catch 16,500 tons per year, later increased to 18,623 tons [1], of red bait, jack mackerel and sardines, using Corio Quay in Geelong as its home port during its time in Australia. [2]
Trawling is banned in Tasmanian waters, with the Premier of Tasmania Will Hodgman saying,
""It's a matter that's determined by the Commonwealth Government, our position in Tasmania is very clear - trawling is in fact banned, we've banned trawling in Tasmanian waters...We also support the continuing ban on super trawlers which has been previously debated. I've communicated that to the Federal Government as well, but matters that come within their control and their responsibility are determined by them - but our position is very clear on this.[3]
The vessel was permitted to take its quota of fish in a designated zone reaching from Queensland, around the south-east coast of Australia, to Western Australia. [4]
Opposition to the operator of the trawler, Seafish Tasmania was interlinked with Tasmanian politics.[5][6]
Controversy around the ship reached Australian government level with Senate motions over the ship.[7][8]
The vessel operated in Australia waters without its Automatic Identification System enabled to avoid tracking of the ship by activists. [9]
On October 31, 2016, the ship left Australian waters and returned to the Netherlands,[10][11] assuming her former name of Dirk Diederik KW 172. [12]
Protests
Environmental groups were opposed to the style of the trawler and its capacities.[13][14]
During April 2015, recreational fishers in approximately 50 boats protested on Hobart's Derwent River against the operation of the trawler in Australian waters. [15]
During May 2015, almost 400 residents of Geelong protested at the Geelong Waterfront requesting the trawler be banned from operating in Australian waters. [16]
The public concern over Super Trawlers in general led to the forming of a political party specifically opposed to operations in Australian waters, the Australian Recreational Fishers Party.[17]
Senate inquiry
The Australian Senate launched an inquiry into super trawlers, chaired by Senator Peter Whish-Wilson. [18]
Environmental impact
While fishing Australian waters the ship was reported to have netted a whale shark[19], and causing the deaths of fur seals, albatross and dolphins, facing several bans from fishing zones. [20]
During May 2015, Federal Member for Corangamite Sarah Henderson wrote to Senator Richard Colbeck urging him to ban the trawler from operating in Australian waters. [21]
During June 2016, operators of the vessel in Australia, Seafish Tasmania objected to the release of video footage of a dolphin being captured in the nets of the Geelong Star super trawler, claiming the footage would cause damage to their business reputation and incite environmental activists to protest at the company's operations. [22]
The reduction of impact on small pelagic fisheries was negotiated,[23] but ultimately failed. [24][25]
In November 2016, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority announced it was looking into video streaming technology aboard trawlers to improve their response to the welfare of endangered marine wildlife. [26]
See also
References
- ^ "Geelong Star fishing trawler given extra fishing area of one million square kilometres". Geelong Advertiser. April 24, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- ^ "Controversial trawler Geelong Star docks in Corio Quay". Geelong Advertiser. April 22, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- ^ "Trawler backer lashes out at 'naive' opponents rallying against Geelong Star". ABC. April 28, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- ^ "Largest fish trawler Geelong Star arrives in Australian waters". Sydney Morning Herald. April 1, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- ^ http://tasmaniantimes.com/index.php/article/seafish-tasmania-cocaine-trawlers-and-a-fine-stink-
- ^ For earlier super trawler issues Australian Broadcasting Corporation. News (2012-09-12), Seafish Tasmania welcomes legislation's debate, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, retrieved 19 November 2017
- ^ Fitzgibbon, Joel (2015-11-25), Transcript of press conference: Parliament House, Canberra: 25 November 2015: Senate motion relating to the Geelong Star, retrieved 19 November 2017
- ^ Hunt, Greg (2015-05-05), Transcript of interview with Mark Parton: 2CC Canberra: 5 May 2015: Q&A; climate change; Geelong Star, retrieved 19 November 2017
- ^ "Factory trawler Geelong Star turns off tracking device, fearing activist backlash". ABC. May 20, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- ^ Whish-Wilson, Peter (2016-11-22), Super trawler Geelong Star leaves Australian waters in mysterious circumstances, retrieved 19 November 2017
- ^ Australian Fisheries Management Authority (2016-11-23), Departure of the Geelong Star from Australian waters, retrieved 19 November 2017
- ^ "Geelong Star returns to The Netherlands after breakdown in deal with Seafish Tasmania". Mercury. November 24, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- ^ Australian Broadcasting Corporation. News (2015-09-17), Green light for controversial trawler rubs environmentalists wrong way, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, retrieved 19 November 2017
- ^ Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Radio National (2015-03-23), Environmentalists to fight new fishing 'super trawler', Australian Broadcasting Corporation, retrieved 19 November 2017
- ^ "Protesters take 'super trawler' dispute to River Derwent". ABC. April 19, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- ^ "Protest against the super trawler Geelong Star sends a strong message, Geelong rally told". Geelong Advertiser. May 18, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- ^ Australian Broadcasting Corporation. News (2015-04-16), New political party launched in opposition to super trawlers, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, retrieved 19 November 2017
- ^ "Geelong Star: Factory Trawler that's subject of Senate Inquiry disappears from Australian Waters". ABC. November 23, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- ^ "Environmental anger grows after Geelong Star snags a whale shark". News.com.au. February 17, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- ^ "Trawler Geelong Star kills 'small number' of fur seals during fishing trip off NSW". ABC. February 17, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- ^ "Sarah Henderson urges Liberal colleague to ban Geelong Star trawler". Geelong Advertiser. May 6, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- ^ "Fight to prevent videos showing dolphins caught in Geelong Star's nets from being released". Mercury. June 2, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- ^ Colbeck, Richard (2015-02-13), Geelong Star registered to fish the small pelagic fishery, retrieved 19 November 2017
- ^ http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/154859/20160217-1248/assistant.agricultureminister.gov.au/pages/Media-Releases/progress-on-geelong-star-negotiations.html Geelong Star negotiations
- ^ Ruston, Anne (2016-02-25), Progress made on Geelong Star negotiations, retrieved 19 November 2017
- ^ "Fisheries authority considers streaming video from boats to ensure safety of marine life". Barossa Herald. November 11, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
External links
