Middleton Confirms SLA Was Signed

Sue Middleton confirmed to the fisheries portfolio committee yesterday that she had personally signed the service level agreement with the Navy on 13 April 2012.

Why they insist on such a destructive public relationship management strategy is beyond comprehension. Why not make the SLA immediately available to the public or why not issue a press statement confirming the signing of such an important document, explaining its implementation, costs and who will be responsible for what?

Middleton further confirmed that the SAS Africana, which was supposed to have sailed on 19 April, was still in port and may sail today (ie 25 April). The Africana would conduct back-to-back demersal and pelagic research cruises.

Alarmingly, Middleton confirmed that the rest of the fleet will take another 2 months at least to get out to sea - which in fact means at least 6 months in the real world. Talk about an open invitation to the world's pirates to plunder our seas!

Well done DAFF and Minister Joemat-Pettersson for looking after the poachers again!