In recent times, concerned Wallis Lake Fishermen’s Cooperative manager Suzie McEnallay has found herself away from the fish shop walking the corridors of power.
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Responding to proposed complex reforms targeting the state’s commercial fishing industry due to come into effect in July 2017, last week she attended meetings with the Department of Primary Industries – Fisheries deputy director Geoff Allan and with Minister Niall Blair’s policy advisor James Piggott; a state parliament open forum; and recently with the local state member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead.
Mr Bromhead said he backed up the concerns expressed by his local fishing community about the impending reforms – labelled the Commercial Fishers Business Adjustment Program – in writing to the Minister for Primary Industries as far back as 2015 and followed up by forwarding on Wallis Lake Co-ops submission to the minister earlier this month.
“I have been very firm in my recommendations to the Minister stating that there should be no changes to the commercial fishing in the area from Mungo Brush in the south to Crowdy Head in the north.”
“I have pointed out fishermen who make a living in this area have already made very successful and real adjustments to ensure that their industry is a sustainable one, while still being able to provide for their families. I strongly support the status quo for the industry in our area and I do not support the proposed changes that would cause the collapse of the local fishing industry and have a devastating effect on the local economy.”
It is an endorsement welcomed by Ms McEnallay.
“It’s great he’s showing support, let’s see if he can back it up with some action.”
Local National party chairman Bob Wilson also acknowledged that “there are issues.”
“What is being put forward is extremely complex and bureaucratic in a time that the local people fishing are doing the right thing in a sustainable way. One wonders what is driving the issue. It’s not clear for the local fishers people. I would recommend that all the pollies listen to the grassroots people and treat with less emphasis what the bureaucrats are saying.”
The open forum at State Parliament last Wednesday was made up of fishers, family members and co-ops addressing members of parliament from Labor, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers, Christian Democrats and Greens.
“It was really fascinating. A lot of people spoke including one MP from a fisheries family. It was good we got a lot of Greens there,” Ms McEnallay said.
“Typically fishermen don’t talk to the greens, so that was really interesting.”
While no members from the Liberal or National Parties attended the forum, Mr Bromhead said he “had a choice of attending a briefing with Minister for Primary Industries, the Hon Niall Blair MP, advisors and department officers to map a path forward for the forestry industry on the North Coast - or take part in what was nothing more than a Labor Party stunt.”
“They have meetings we don’t attend and we have meetings they refuse to attend. This particular meeting was just yet another stunt by the Labor Party… My stance has not wavered on the reforms and I will continue to fight for our local fishers.”
The reforms have been years in the making, introducing what the government calls links between shares and catch or effort. Adjustments are still being made in response to some concerns, but with its impending financial implications and impacts on catch and income, Labor has repeatedly called on the Minister for Primary industries to hit the pause button to allow better information flows and address concerns over the availability of shares.
“The Minister should do the right thing and work with the industry on making sure the restructure works and all participants have the information to decide whether to exit or remain in the industry,” shadow minister Mick Veitch said.