Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) the speartooth shark (Glyphisglyphis) is listed as critically endangered; and three species of sawfish (Pristispristis, Pristiszijsron, and Pristisclavata) are listed as vulnerable on the EnvironmentProtectionandBiodiversityConservationAct1999 List of Threatened Fauna, and these species are also listed as globally endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species,

  (ii) the Commonwealth Government's Sawfish and River Sharks Multispecies Recovery Plan identifies fishing activities, including by-catch, as a threat to sawfish and the speartooth shark,

  (iii) all habitat where these species have been recorded in the Gulf of Carpentaria is considered critical to the survival of these species, and habitat critical to the survival of these species overlaps with commercial net fishing activity,

  (iv) the Gulf of Carpentaria Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (GoCIFFF) is a Queensland managed commercial fishery,

  (v) the Queensland Government's Sustainable Fisheries Strategy 2017-2027 outlines its commitment to the reform of fisheries management, and

  (vi) the Minister for the Environment is currently considering the ecological sustainability of the GoCIFFF for export approval; and

(b) calls on the Minister for the Environment to ensure that, should the fishery be re-accredited for export approval, time-bound conditions are attached to protect these species, including:

  (i) a requirement to ensure an independent observer and monitoring program is implemented by January 2020, and

  (ii) the introduction of fishery management measures to reduce capture of sawfish and speartooth sharks in areas of critical habitat.

Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move an amendment to general business notice of motion No. 147, moved by Senator Whish-Wilson.

Leave granted.

I move the amendment as circulated in the chamber in the name of Senator Farrell:

1. Paragraph (b), after ''species'' insert ''in line with the Commonwealth Government's effective implementation of the Sawfish and River Sharks Multispecies Recovery Plan''

2. Subparagraph (b)(i), after ''implemented'' insert ''as soon as practicable, with a progress report to the Federal Government on implementation''

Scott Ryan (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the amendment to motion No. 147 be agreed to.

Scott Ryan (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

We now return to the motion as amended.

Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

One Nation opposes the motion from Senator Whish-Wilson. The Gulf of Carpentaria fin fish fishery is a limited entry, quota managed, semidemersal trawl fishery that has operated under the jurisdiction of the Queensland Fisheries Joint Authority since June 1988. The fishery remains developmental, and any change to a licence status depends on it continuing to demonstrate ecological sustainability, commercial viability and social acceptability. The fishery is heavily managed, and One Nation believes those restrictions are quite sufficient. The additional layers of environmental green tape and blue tape suggested by the Greens will serve to destroy commercial fishing opportunities for high-value fish species.

What the Greens have failed again to do is link fishing with the reduction in fish stocks of the river shark and sawfish. Again, there is no data. One Nation proposes to allow the Queensland government to get on with managing this fishery without interference.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) | Link to this | Hansard source

This government supports moves to improve the conservation outcomes of these and many other fish species. Recently, an additional gulf sawfish species has been prioritised by the Minister for the Environment for consideration towards EPBC listing. Calls to enforce time-bound conditions before an actual decision on re-accreditation for export approval has been made are unrealistic.

Scott Ryan (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that motion No. 147, as amended, be agreed to.