The viability of the local fishing industry is under threat as commercial fishers prepare to go into battle against the State government's catch structure reforms.
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Changes to the industry, based on recommendations by the Structural Review Committee (SARC), are expected to come into effect in July 2017.
But, trying to make sense of the changes is a waste of time says Hawkesbury fisher and president of the Wild Caught Fishers Coalition, Dane Van Der Neut.
“There is nothing logical about it; anyone in the community trying to understand the changes are wasting their time,” he said.
“The simple fact is hundreds of hard working fishers will lose their rights after July 2017.”
Fourth generation Tuncurry fisher Peter Ragno fears for the future of his family business as he struggles to meet the government's expectations.
He said the reforms would bring changes resulting in insecurity for local fishers with the government expecting them to buy back their existing jobs.
As a multi-purpose fisher, Mr Ragno is permitted to fish during the week, and for a variety of seafood species.
But, the government reforms could see Mr Ragno's business forced to close after July 2017 unless he can buy more fishing shares.
Making the situation more complicated, Mr Ragno would have to tender for the shares, giving larger, more lucrative operators a more competitive advantage
“(As an example) At the moment I have 125 shares which enable me to go prawning.
“But from July 2017, I will have to increase that number of shares by another 25, and by 2019 I may have to buy another 150 shares, and that is only one of the endorsements I will have to re-invest into to continue what I am doing now.
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Jeanene Duncan
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
