Shock reform to create a 800km gillnet free zone throughout the northern third of the Great Barrier Reef will cripple Queensland’s wild caught seafood industry, according to commercial fishers.
Cairns Professional Game Fishing spokesman Daniel McCarthy says the Palaszczuk government’s fishing limit on Spanish mackerels in north Queensland is impacting “hardworking Queenslanders”.
More $160m will be delivered to significantly reduce net fishing and other high-risk fishing activities impacting the Reef.
Funding will be used to create net-free zones in the northern third of the Great Barrier Reef and parts of the Gulf of Carpentaria aimed at reducing death of bycatch species such as threatened dugongs, turtles, dolphins and protected shark species.
Commercial fishing trawler boats moored near the sugar wharf at the Cairns port. Picture: Brendan Radke
Under the management policy announced by federal environment and agriculture ministers and supported by the state government, all N2 and N4 east coast net fishery licenses – covering an area between Thursday Island and Maryborough – will be bought out by the end of this year.
A “net-free north” from Cape Bedford to the tip of Cape York will also be established and a phasing out of the remaining limited N1 licences will make the Reef gillnet free by 30 June 2027.
Queensland Seafood Industry Association chief executive officer David Bobberman, said the bans were announced without consultation or discussion with the fishing industry.
“We are shocked by these unnecessary bans and the lack of empathy shown to fishers, their families and the communities that rely on the commercial fishing industry in the joint announcement by the state and federal governments,” he said.
“The way the two governments have handled this issue perfectly demonstrates why fishers suffer higher rates of mental illness, faced with constant anxiety about their future livelihoods and family wellbeing. It is a disgrace.”
But the government insists the accelerated implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy is key to protecting threatened species that call the Great Barrier Reef home.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek is seen with King and Gentoo penguins inside their enclosure at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium this week. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Bianca De Marchi
Federal environment minister Tanya Plibersek said gillnet removal has already helped to boost fish numbers in areas where net fishers have ceased to operate.
“We want to see this happen right across the Reef,” she said.
“The Great Barrier Reef is one the most beautiful places on Earth. We want to better protect it for our kids and grandkids.”
Tighter restrictions on commercial anglers follow a Spanish mackerel take reduction adjusted to 165 tonnes for the 2023 fishing season, from July 1 this year.
Reductions limiting the Spanish mackerel take will be introduced later this year. Picture: Robert Erskine
Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto said it was working families that would suffer under the latest round of tropical fishing reform.
“Labor is obsessed with appeasing fringe environmental groups at the expense of consumers and hardworking Australians which is not only unjustifiable but also deeply concerning,” he said.
“A compensation package is said to be on offer for more than 240 commercial fishers and I am committed to fighting for our local net fisherman to ensure they are remunerated for everything they are set to lose.”
Senator Nita Green Special Envoy to the Great Barrier Reef stated the GBR 64,000 jobs, including thousands in regional Queensland.
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