Media Statement - 5th November 2007
A Rudd Labor Government will investigate the grounds for the Howard Government’s rejection of Bass Strait Scallop fishery licence tenders to the recent Commonwealth Fishery restructure.
Scallop fishermen in south-eastern Australia, particularly in the fishing port of Lakes Entrance believe they have been unfairly treated by the Howard Government.
The Howard Government promised to target the scallop fishery in the recent structural adjustment of Commonwealth fisheries.
However, the Bureau of Rural Sciences confirms “the number of fishing concessions continues to be too high… a total of only 22 of 152 scallop concessions were removed by the buyout.”
Federal Labor will determine whether the unsuccessful scallop licence tenders were rejected on the basis of good public policy and value for money considerations.
The Bass Strait Central Zone scallop fishery was closed to fishing in 2006 for a minimum period of three years, following many years of “boom and bust” fishing.
Federal Labor will also undertake a broad survey of the status of the resource to better inform its ongoing management, encompassing areas that have previously yielded scallops.
Federal Labor will work with the fishing industry to ensure a full recovery of scallop stocks through the continuation of restrictions and ongoing monitoring.