Acknowledgment of the distress and pain felt by swordfish

Tasmanian Citizens draw to the attention of the House the inherent cruelty involved with recreational sword-fishing due to the fact that often fish are kept on the line for many hours before being reeled in and killed, or caught and released with a low rate of survival. Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to require the Minister for Primary Industries and Water, also responsible for all animal welfare, to acknowledge the distress and pain felt by swordfish in this industry and take steps to ensure that Tasmanian waters are free from cruelty.