Indigenous Tasmanians opposed to super-trawler

Much of the debate over the super-trawler Margiris has centred on the environmental effects, but there are also some cultural issues at play, reports Luke Waters from Launceston, Tasmania.

Freezer factory ships more than 130 metres in length will not be permitted in Australian waters, the Australian government has said. (Pic:AAP)

Chairman of the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania Clyde Mansell says the Aboriginal community of Tasmania is concerned about the impact of the super-trawler on the local cultural activity, specifically mutton birding.

Mutton-birding is a centuries old tradition for Aboriginal communities in Tasmania.

Mutton birds, or shearwaters, migrate back to rookeries along Tasmania's coast every year and have for centuries provided a food source for communities there.

“The Aboriginal community has a long-term cultural relationship with mutton-birding throughout the state and we're determined to try and sustain the continuance of that,” says

“We believe that the trawler will interfere with the food chain. Mutton birds rely heavily on krill and we believe the impact of a boat of this size, and using the nets they are going to use, will impact on the supply of that food source,” says Mr Mansell.

There has been widespread opposition from environmentalists, scientists, politicians and other fishermen to Seafish Tasmania's plan to operate the super-trawler Margiris in Australian waters.