3 April 2006 - The Australian
Government’s decision to allow the export of Southern
Bluefin Tuna has been upheld by the Administrative
Appeals Tribunal, the Minister for the Environment
and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell said today.
The Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery (SBTF) was granted
export approval in November 2004 following an
assessment under the Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
This decision has been the subject of a challenge
in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).
The AAT has today affirmed the Australian Government’s
decision to approve export from the fishery.
Senator Campbell welcomed the AAT decision, indicating
that it recognised Australia was best placed to
take practical steps toward getting the best possible
outcome for management of Southern Bluefin Tuna
globally.
“Today’s decision also gives greater certainty
to Australia’s $300 million Southern Bluefin Tuna
industry,” he said.
“The AAT affirmation of the Australian Government’s
decision to approve export from the fishery and
demonstrates that we have in place a sound framework
which is robust and effective in protecting Australia’s
marine biodiversity.”
The Southern Bluefin Tuna is a long-lived, highly
migratory species, forming a single, widely distributed
population in the southern oceans. Internationally,
the Commission for the Conservation of Southern
Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) sets fishing quotas for Southern
Bluefin Tuna and progresses conservation and stock
management of the species.
“Given the migratory nature of the Southern Bluefin
Tuna, it is important that the species is managed
globally which is why Australia has been a member
of CCSBT since its formation in 1994 and has played
a leadership role in seeking to achieve the best
conservation outcomes for the species,” Senator
Campbell said.
“It is crucial that Australia retains its influential
role within the CCSBT to ensure effective, cooperative
conservation and management of the species.
“It will be vital for the CCSBT, at its October
meeting, to deliver positive conservation outcomes
including the implementation of further effective
and binding management arrangements to ensure
SBT stocks are rebuilt.”
