Environment Minister Tony Burke has expressed confidence the federal government is on solid legal ground after confirming a ban on the supertrawler Abel Tasman fishing in Australian waters.
Burke signed into force on Monday a two-year ban on any supertrawler operating in the small pelagic fishery, using new laws introduced after the Dutch ship's arrival in Australia.
Burke acknowledged operator Seafish Tasmania had made it clear it would pursue all available legal options in response to the ban, but said, "We believe we're on completely strong legal ground."
"Under environmental law it is not uncommon for a project to be held up while checks are being performed," Burke said. "Not uncommon at all."
The Abel Tasman decision marks an emphatic move into Commonwealth oceans management by the minister, who found he had needed to legislate to enforce powers already available on land.
After months of controversy about the largest fishing vessel ever slated for Australian waters, Burke in September declared an interim ban on trawling in the small pelagic fishery by any vessel of the 142-meter Abel Tasman's size.
It had planned to trawl offshore between New South Wales and Western Australia for up to 18,000 metric tons of redbait and mackerel.
