March 1, 2016 9:52pm
JESSICA HOWARDMercury
NO recreational shearwater harvesting
licences were issued to young children as was widely reported last year, says
the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment.
The Tasmanian Conservation Trust last
year revealed that the department’s records showed in 2013 and 2014, licences
were issued to four people who recorded their birth dates as 2011 or later,
which prompted a pledge from DPIPWE for a review.
A DPIPWE spokesman said yesterday that an
investigation discovered that no such permits were issued — the report was
based on an incorrect data entry.
“Regardless, there are arrangements in
place to reduce the risk of such incidents occurring,” he said.
“It is important to note that harvesting
of shearwaters is a significant cultural activity for sections of Tasmania
Applications for children listed as nine
years or younger are referred to the department’s wildlife management branch
for assessment of competence.
