PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS: ~ iL1 6
LrB RP No. 72/ 1968_
CONTROL OF ILLEGAL F ISH ING,
The Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton, this evening replied to
the telegram he had received from the Premier of Queensland, Mr. Pizzey,
in regard to contravention of fisheries laws.
Here is the text of the Prime Minister's telegram to Mr.
Pizzey: " In reply to your telegram received this morning, the
Commonwealth has had under examination ways in which illegal
fishing operations might be controlled and Australia'o marine
resources protected. Recently extra patrol boats have become
available to the R. A. N. and these will alk~ w the coverage and
frequency of sea patrols to be considerably increased within
Australia's 12-mile exclusive fishing zone. The R. A. A. F.
also will participate regularly in patrolling activities
particularly Gver northern fishing grounds. It is anticipated
that amendments to Commonwealth legislation will shortly be
proposed in order to give the necessary legal powers to control
the taking of all sedentary species, including clams, from the
Continental Shelf, including the Reef. As to the incident reported
in your telegram, this has been brought to the attention of the
Chinese Embassy who have been made aware that further such
acts w*., uld render the vessels concerned liable to arrest and
legal prcceedings. The Embassy said that the Chinese Goveknrnent
fully appreciated the need to avoid breaches of the Australian
Fisheries Act. The Embassy would do everything possible to
ensure that Chinese vessels respected the 12-mile limit and
the Chinese Government was being informed immediately about
the recent incidents. The help received from the Queensland
authorities in repcrting the activities of foreign fishing vessels
is much appreciated and it is hoped that the present valuable
co-operation between Commonwealth and State in this field will
crkacinue. I am writing to you separately on this matter.
CANBERRA 23 July 1968