Mayor Joanna Gash moved the motion, with the amendment that council also write to Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis requesting that the super trawler, Geelong Star, be excluded from operating in Australian waters off the coast of the Shoalhaven.

“I am very much against super trawlers like the Geelong Star coming into the area,” Cr Gash said. 

“They are taking away the livelihood of our fishermen. They harvest our marine life and disregard the marine safe areas we have in place,” Cr Gash said. 

While the Geelong Star is not currently able to fish within the waters of NSW it can fish three nautical miles off the natural coast line in Commonwealth waters. 

Cr Gash hopes that if the Geelong Star is banned from traveling through Shoalhaven water it will be unable to seek safe harbour in bad conditions or refuel and will be forced away from the area indefinitely. 

“I don’t want the trawler to be anywhere in the Shoalhaven. I worked hard to ban the Abel Tasman, and I will work hard to see the Geelong Star banned too,” Cr Gash said. 

In 2012, the federal government banned the then named Abel Tasman super trawler from factory farming the waters around Australia, however this ruling was overturned in 2015.

Captain of the Robby Allen Dave Dunn, based in Ulladulla, said super trawlers were damaging the marine ecosystem.

“The by-product they kill and dump over the side is incredible. Whiting, snapper. All dead. A total waste. They will deplete a lot of stock if they come around here,” he said. 

The waters of the Shoalhaven provide a key income stream through commercial fishing, marine mammal watching, and diving.

“They make it hard for us to go to work. The fisheries are constantly restricting us with licences and fees, but they let these guys in and they come and take our catch. 

“It’s making it harder, and harder for us fishermen to make a living. These trawlers need to go back to where they came from,’” Mr Dunn said. 

Mrs Sudmalis supports banning the Geelong Star from the Shoalhaven and is concerned the areas precious fish stocks will be depleted and ruined by indiscriminate fishing.

“The Geelong Star shouldn’t be here at all. If they keep keep taking all the bait fish, it will impact our game fish like marlin and big tuna.

“There are restrictions in place to monitor its actions. I understand people are concerned about its operations and we will be taking this seriously,” Mrs Sudmalis said. 

The Stop the Trawler Alliance welcomed council’s move, saying it was a reflection of community views on super trawlers seen nationwide. 

“It seems that everywhere the Geelong Star goes it is not wanted. We are seeking a permanent ban on factory freezer trawlers like the Geelong Star from operating in pelagic fishing environments like the Shoalhaven, right across Australia,” said Adrian Meder from the Stop the Trawler Alliance.