Northern Territory Second Reading Speeches Northern Territory Second Reading Speeches[Index] [Search] [Bill] [Help]
| Bill presented and read a first time. Dr BURNS (Primary Industry and Fisheries): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time. The main purposes of this bill is to provide the Director of fisheries with the ability to refuse or revoke an approval for a person to operate in commercial fisheries if they have been convicted of fisheries offences on more than one occasion. This will provide a significant deterrent to fishers and provide a greater strength to our management controls on our fisheries. Over-potting in the mud crab fisheries, the temptation to set gill nets in closed waters and the like will be significantly reduced and provide a real boost to the sustainability of our fisheries resources. Over the past five years, key stakeholders of the Territory's aquatic resources, including the Northern Territory Seafood Council, Amateur Fishermen's Association of the Northern Territory and the Northern Land Council, have campaigned the government for tougher penalties for offences against the Fisheries Act. A small proportion of commercial fishers continue to re-offend, and all fisheries stakeholders would like to see these people suspended from commercial fishing activities. The reduction of illegal fishing activity will be further achieved by making provision in the act to increase the maximum penalty for fishing-related offences from $10 000 to $20 000, together with the ability for Fisheries officers to serve Fishery Infringement Notices, much the same as on the spot fines. A wider review of the penalties specified in the Fisheries Act and Fisheries Regulations and associated management plans will be undertaken within the next 12 months with a view to moving to penalty units. This process will also ensure that all penalties for fisheries offences are appropriate and consistent in nature. That is, the penalty fits the offence. This will be done in consultation with the Department of Justice and key fishery stakeholder groups. Madam Speaker, this increased power to make all fishers accountable for their actions helps to preserve our fish stocks that are healthy and productive and the envy of Australia. This protection will help maintain our fisheries for our children and grandchildren in the years to come. Therefore, I commend this bill to the Assembly. Debate adjourned. |