Newsroom

August 16, 2024

Nick Dametto MP, Deputy Leader of Katter’s Australian Party has slammed the State and Federal Labor Governments for their ill-conceived gillnet ban introduced in June 2023, calling it a pathetic attempt to score international political points rather than a genuine effort to protect threatened species.

The Hinchinbrook MP’s comments follow the release of a James Cook University report that revealed the dugong population in Far North Queensland was “thriving”.[1]

“Labor’s gillnet bans are nothing but a farse,” Mr. Dametto said.

“They made a big song and dance about protecting dugongs and other species on the East-Coast, but now we’re hearing from marine experts that dugong populations are actually doing very well, and that’s before the nets are even completely out of the water

“Eight months of reduced gillnetting is hardly going to make the dugong population magically spring back to life and if the government tries to suggest that, then I would call that absurd.

“Banning gillnets across the East-Coast and up in the Gulf in order to protect threatened and endangered species is clearly unnecessary. This can be proven by the last eight months of video footage that gillnet fishers have gathered since they were forced to record 100 per cent of their fishing activities as a condition of their licence. It’s now backed up even further by this JCU report.

“It’s very clear that gillnetting, especially in creeks and rivers, doesn’t harm dugongs or other threatened species. They’ve cooked up a solution to a problem that doesn’t even exist, all in the name of satisfying UNESCO and the WWF. Meanwhile, they’re destroying a good, honest Australian industry that provides our nation with fresh, wild caught seafood.

“Both Labor Governments are prioritising public perception over practical, industry driven outcomes. If they really cared about our marine environment, they’d be working with local fishers, listening to what they have to say and revising the gillnet bans.

“The Fisheries Minister and his department have all the evidence they need to bring on a review of the gillnet bans and the untenable conditions of the current, heavily restricted gillnet licence (the NX licence).

“As small family businesses collapse and local fish & chip shops struggle for fresh local produce, the evidence is mounting to show the East-Coast has a healthy marine environment, and the holes in UNESCO and our Government’s agenda are becoming shamefully obvious.”