Irish green groups call for Dutch super trawler to be monitored
Ireland’s Wildlife Trust appealed to the Irish government to have an independent observer placed on board the Dutch-owned super trawler MV Margiris, which has been fishing off the Irish coast, the Irish Times reports.The 142-metre vessel is said to be the second biggest freezer trawler in the world and was banned from fishing near Australia in September 2012 after protests by environmental groups.
The ship, which the Irish Times says is registered in Lithuania, has a quota to fish for horse mackerel off the Irish coast.
However, the trust says it is worried about the by-catch – mammals and other sea creatures which get caught in its nets. They are also concerned that the by-catch could include mackerel and herring, which it is not supposed to catch. The trawler processes and freezes fish on board.
The ship was known as the Abel Tasman and was stopped from fishing off the coast of Tasmania in September 2012. It is owned by Dutch fish company Parlevliet & Van der Plas.
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