Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

The point made by Senator Johnston is absolutely right. Those involved in the north-western shark fishery tell me that there is no need to close that fishery. What they are telling me is that they need a management plan. It is very easy for any fisheries minister to just close down a fishery as opposed to doing the hard work and getting the science together to develop a genuine and proper fisheries management regime.

What I suggest to Mr Ford and state Labor in Western Australia—as I have pleaded with them before on these issues—is this: do not rush to the media and then embarrass yourself by putting out wrong photographs and making wrong statements. Simply pick up the phone and I, as the fisheries minister, will be more than happy to cooperate so that we get a good, sensible regime of fish management right around the country.