21 July
2006 - The Australian Minister for the Environment
and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, today officially
launched a new fast response vessel for monitoring
and surveillance activities within the Great Barrier
Reef Marine Park.
The nine metre vessel, ‘Bimbi
Eungie’ (pronounced Bim-bee Oon-gee) was purchased
through the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage
Trust funding. Bimbi Eungie means ‘good spirit’
in the language of Traditional Owners of the Birra
gubba Nation, which extends from the Ross River
in Townsville, south to Sarina.
Officially launching the vessel
on Hamilton Island, in the Whitsundays, Senator
Campbell said the new craft would assist targeted
monitoring and surveillance operations along the
length of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage
Area from offshore Gladstone to Cape York.
“This purpose built fast response
vessel is crewed by three experienced Marine Park
inspectors and is ideally suited to operate in
the waters of the Marine Park,” Senator Campbell
said.
“The Australian Government is
committed to combating illegal foreign fishing
in northern waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park.
“We have allocated $2 million
over three years for the construction of a second
fast response vessel of similar design as well
as staff and equipment to operate the vessel.
“The Great Barrier Reef is undisputedly
as one of the world's most important natural assets
and these vessels are an important initiative
to protect Australian interests, both environmental
and economic,” he said.
Senator Campbell said the fast
response vessel has already been put through its
paces, having conducted a number of successful
operations within the Marine Park.”
Rob Broadfield
