Derek_Bullock
04-02-2006, 11:40 AM
Last Update: Saturday, February 4, 2006. 10:00am (AEDT)
Abetz pushes for tougher illegal fishing deterrents
The Federal Fisheries Minister says he wants more illegal fishermen apprehended and put into jail.
Minister Eric Abetz says the problem of illegal fishing off Australia's north-west coast has "terrorism implications".
The Senator wants to work with the Customs Minister to find ways to jail fishermen without breaching conventions and treaties that Australia has signed.
In his first interview since taking on the Fisheries portfolio, Senator Abetz says he supports the West Australian Government's moves to mandatory sentencing for repeat offenders.
Senator Abetz says he has spoken to state and territory ministers to seek a coordinated approach to the illegal fishing problem.
He says all governments need to come together on the issue.
"We need a 'whole of government' approach if we want to protect our borders to ensure that we know exactly who comes into our waters, on what terms they come into our waters," he said.
The West Australian Government recently revealed new measures to deal with illegal fishermen in the three nautical miles which come under state jurisdiction.
The Government wants to introduce mandatory sentencing for repeat offenders, with jail terms of up to 10 years.
The Fisheries Minister says changing international treaties can be a long and difficult process and the Federal Government needs to cast around for new ideas.
He supports a proposal from the Customs and Justice Minister to deal with illegal fishermen under his portfolios.
This means laws governing border protection and possible jail terms.
Senator Abetz will not commit to more operations like Clearwater One and Clearwater Two - the coordinated air and sea patrols which targeted illegal fishing.
He says he also believes the Indonesian Government is serious about stopping fishermen from coming into Australia's waters
Abetz pushes for tougher illegal fishing deterrents
The Federal Fisheries Minister says he wants more illegal fishermen apprehended and put into jail.
Minister Eric Abetz says the problem of illegal fishing off Australia's north-west coast has "terrorism implications".
The Senator wants to work with the Customs Minister to find ways to jail fishermen without breaching conventions and treaties that Australia has signed.
In his first interview since taking on the Fisheries portfolio, Senator Abetz says he supports the West Australian Government's moves to mandatory sentencing for repeat offenders.
Senator Abetz says he has spoken to state and territory ministers to seek a coordinated approach to the illegal fishing problem.
He says all governments need to come together on the issue.
"We need a 'whole of government' approach if we want to protect our borders to ensure that we know exactly who comes into our waters, on what terms they come into our waters," he said.
The West Australian Government recently revealed new measures to deal with illegal fishermen in the three nautical miles which come under state jurisdiction.
The Government wants to introduce mandatory sentencing for repeat offenders, with jail terms of up to 10 years.
The Fisheries Minister says changing international treaties can be a long and difficult process and the Federal Government needs to cast around for new ideas.
He supports a proposal from the Customs and Justice Minister to deal with illegal fishermen under his portfolios.
This means laws governing border protection and possible jail terms.
Senator Abetz will not commit to more operations like Clearwater One and Clearwater Two - the coordinated air and sea patrols which targeted illegal fishing.
He says he also believes the Indonesian Government is serious about stopping fishermen from coming into Australia's waters