Fishing companies give up southern Indian Ocean trawling - 6 July 2006

In what is being described as a world first, four major fishing companies have agreed to stop high seas deepwater trawling in the southern Indian Ocean west of Australia, in order to protect fish and corals.

Perth-based Austral Fisheries says it is surrendering millions of dollars worth of fish each year as a result of its decision to take part in the voluntary closure.

An area the size of Norway will no longer be trawled for fish under the voluntary closure agreed to by the four major fishing companies.

Austral Fisheries general manager Martin Exel says it is a world first.

For the full story: http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200607/s1679923.htm

Contributed by Tim Hochgrebe added 2006-07-08