The Australian Greens say the WA Government needs to ensure it consults with the Commonwealth Government over any plans to destroy sharks off the state’s coast.

Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on marine and fisheries has raised the WA proposal during Senate Estimates in Canberra, saying uncertainty and ambiguity around the plan is a cause for concern particularly as the species is vulnerable and covered by a recovery plan.

Australian Greens spokesperson on marine and fisheries issues, Senator Rachel Siewert, has asked the Federal Government to look at the WA Government proposal to destroy sharks off WA’s coast.

“I have written to the Federal Environment Minister, Mr Burke about this issue, given the considerable actions being proposed by the WA Government,” Senator Siewert said today.

The Australian Greens have welcomed reports that the Japanese whale hunt in the Southern Ocean may not go ahead this summer.

"This is great news for the whales of in the Southern Ocean. I am encouraged by reports suggesting the upcoming hunt may be put off due to the age and disrepair of the Nisshin Maru factory ship,” Australian Greens whaling and marine spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

“This could be the beginning of the end of Japanese whaling, as changing domestic attitudes and financial pressures take their toll.

Transcript

 Subjects: super trawler, mining royalties

CHRISTINE MILNE:  Well I just want to congratulate campaigners, communities, recreational fishers, environmentalists, my colleagues in the Green party around the country, who have been organising meetings, petitions, working online, in community halls to bring to the Government's attention the level of community anger about the decision to allow the super trawler into Australia's waters and the decision to double the fishing quota to enable the super trawler to operate here.

The Australian Greens will take action in both Houses of Parliament to permanently ban the supertrawler from Australian waters.

“We are very disappointed that both the Government and Coalition voted against our motion in the Senate today,” Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on marine and fisheries said today.

“We will introduce amendments to the Government’s bill that will ban the supertrawler from Australian waters.

“The onus of proof should then be placed on the fisheries science and other processes to overturn this ban in the future.

The Australian Greens have reiterated calls for a ban on super trawlers in Australian waters.

“We welcome the Government’s decision to finally act on the concerns I have been raising for some time around this issue,” Australian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said today.

“However, successive Governments have been working for seven years to bring this vessel here.

“What we see here is the Fisheries Minister congratulating himself for cleaning up a mess his own department created.

A vote on the Australian Greens supertrawler disallowance motion will take place in the Senate today.

“I would encourage those Senators who don’t want the supertrawler damaging out marine environment to support this disallowance," Senator Rachel Siewert, Greens marine spokesperson said today.

The disallowance motion was put to the Senate by Greens Senate Peter Whish-Wilson and was debated in August.

“The quickest way to stop the supertrawler is for the Senate to support the Australian Greens’ disallowance motion," said Senator Siewert.

Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert says it is 'disappointing' that PTTEP, operator of the Montara oil rig, has been fined less than a third of the maximum penalty after pleading guilty to charges arising from the 2009 spill.

"A clear message needs to be sent about the unacceptable practices which led to this spill," Senator Siewert said today.

"Practices which endanger both the lives of workers and the environment are incredibly serious, but this fine falls well short of reflecting that.

The Australian Greens have welcomed plans for peaceful protests to be held to mark Japan Dolphins Day 2012.

“Events have been organised in cities around the world to raise awareness of the annual dolphin cull in Taiji, Japan which starts on September 1,” Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens marine spokesperson said today.

“It is great to see a strong international campaign against this cull, which has been caught so graphically on film in the past.

“This cull is unnecessary, cruel and out-dated.

Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert today welcomed PTTEP’s admission of guilt over the 2009 Montara oil spill.

“PTTEP will promote this as a demonstration that they’re taking responsibility for their actions, but we must not forget the poor practices that lead to the disaster,” Senator Siewert said today.

“While it is good to see some justice done, the reality is that they’ve gotten off lightly, given the magnitude of the Montara spill. I believe the maximum penalty should be applied.

“PTTEP should have to pay for their poor practices.