Senator BARTLETT (1:11 PM) —I wish to speak briefly to the section of this bill dealing with alterations to the taking of blue and black marlin. As has been noted by previous speakers, an amendment has been circulated in my name and I will speak briefly to it in the committee stage. But I understand all senators have been made aware of it and they are comfortable enough with it.

Basically, the issue here for the Democrats is to try to ensure that as much information as possible about marlin stocks is available. It is certainly an issue of particular significance to Queensland, which has a large proportion of the marlin stocks and certainly a significant recreational fishing industry attached to the fishing of that species—and in the north of the state in particular. So we are really just aiming at trying to ensure that there is more information available.

As Senator Murphy indicated, there is a great need to do as much research as possible into the impact of all forms of activity in our marine environment with the long-term impact it is having on fishing stocks and also how the broader ecosystem issues such as bycatches, et cetera, would affect a number of species. It is important that as much information as possible is available. The information that I have been able to find in relation to this issue—with some assistance from the minister's office and also through the Parliamentary Library—indicates that, whilst there is some material around, certainly the Democrats feel that there should be a more complete assessment of the actual extent of marlin stocks and numbers, and also the impact of various activities on those stocks. So that is what is driving my interest and that of the Democrats in this aspect of the legislation.

When we are asked as a parliamentary chamber to change and restrict the taking of certain species of fish in various ways, we obviously need to know that we are acting with information that is as complete as possible as to those changes, and also in assessing down the track whether or not those changes were necessary and, if they were, whether or not they were sufficient and, if they were not, what more needs to be done. It is for that reason we are looking at trying to insert a little more necessity in this bill enabling that sort of detailed analysis to be provided.