Joint media release

Australian Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry, Warren Truss

Tuesday, July 18, 2000
MVT72c/2000

Northern Prawn Fishery Gains Access to US

In a landmark decision, the United States has agreed to accept imports of prawns from Australia's Northern Prawn Fishery (NPF), the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Warren Truss and Trade Minister, Mark Vaile, announced today.

"This decision represents a real breakthrough for Australia as it provides a further exemption to the blanket ban the US placed on our prawn imports in 1996 and recognises the steps industry has taken to ensure fishing in the NPF is 'turtle friendly'," Mr Truss said.

Since 1996, the US has banned prawn imports from countries that did not have national programs requiring the use of turtle exclusion devices (TEDs) on their prawn-trawling vessels.  This ban effectively prevented any Australian prawns from being sold on the US market.

However, a World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruling found that it was unreasonable for the US to insist that other countries adopt turtle conservation regulations identical to theirs.

"The WTO found that the US position was in effect an unjustifiable trade measure.  The US has now amended its regulations to allow prawn imports in a broader range of situations, including where individual fisheries have adopted TEDs," Mr Vaile said.  "This is another example of the WTO dispute settlement procedures delivering real trade benefits to Australian exporters."

"The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), in close consultation with industry, introduced requirements for TEDs and bycatch reduction devices to be used in all nets in the NPF from April 2000," Mr Truss said.  "Following introduction of the TEDs, Australia sought US agreement that the Fishery now met its requirements."

The NPF decision comes on top of the US agreeing last October to accept imports of prawns from South Australia's Spencer Gulf where turtles are not found.

"The US decision to certify the NPF recognises the considerable effort that has gone into ensuring turtles in the Fishery are adequately protected," Mr Truss said. "I congratulate AFMA, the fishing industry and the many scientists, gear technologists and conservationists who have helped make it happen.

"On top of the lucrative Japanese and Asian markets, access to the US shrimp market could boost the value of the NPF to above its 1998-99 level of around $110 million a year."

The NPF is located off Australia's northern coast, extending from Cape York Peninsula, Queensland in the east to Cape Londonderry, Western Australia, in the west.

Local Date: Thursday, 20-Nov-2008 21:01:17 EST