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Senator Susan McDonald and seafood industry heads at the Slipway in Lucinda, as part of the Spotlight on Hinchinbrook, Seafood Industry Expo. Photo supplied: Office of Senator Susan McDonald
The planned phase-out of gillnet fishing scheduled for North Queensland waters has come under renewed scrutiny as the Queensland Seafood Industry Association (QSIA) and North Queensland Federal MPs call for delay.
Queensland’s existing policy is to phase out gillnet fishing in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area by June 30th 2027, with government funding supporting industry transition and trials of alternative fishing gear.
Townsville-based Senator Susan McDonald and Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox have written to Queensland Ministers Tony Perrett and Andrew Powell seeking a three-year extension, arguing the $9 million Fish-LIGHT research program into alternative fishing methods will not conclude until 2030.
Senator McDonald said the research should be completed before the ban comes into place.
“We are asking the Queensland Government to put the science first and seek an extension from the Commonwealth until Fish-LIGHT has completed its work,” she said.
Mr Willcox said the impacts would extend beyond the commercial fisheries themselves.
“This is about Australian jobs, Australian food production and sovereign capability,” Mr Willcox said.
“Commercial fishing supports processors, wholesalers, transport operators, chandlers, marine mechanics, retailers, restaurants and other small businesses throughout regional Queensland.”
QSIA CEO David Bobbermen welcomed the federal intervention, saying the association had already approached the Queensland Ministers.
“Their public intercession on behalf of the family fishers involved in catching barramundi in North Queensland came as a surprise to us but is very welcome,” Mr Bobbermen said.
A Queensland Department of Primary Industries working group has also recorded industry calls for the NX fishery to be extended until Fish-LIGHT research concludes, while Fisheries Queensland has reiterated the Government’s position that the phase-out will proceed on June 30th.
The issue was among the fishing industry concerns being raised around the Spotlight on Hinchinbrook Seafood Industry Expo last month.
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