Bundaberg's fishing industry is “on its knees” as more than a quarter of its trawler fishermen consider quitting in the next year, according to an industry member.
Australian Fisheries Bundaberg manager Sid McKeown said ever-tightening government regulations meant keeping their boats in the water was just not viable for many fishermen.
“There are fishing families out there who are tying up their boats,” Mr McKeown said.
“Two fishermen in Bundaberg have done it already, and there are at least 12 fishermen that I know (of about 40) in this port, who won’t be fishing this time next year unless there is some urgent government intervention.”
Mr McKeown said the industry was “grossly over-regulated”, with no concern for its economic viability.
“The fishermen have been screwed and screwed with never-ending government regulations in the past, and they’re looking at more to come,” he said.
“The government needs to do some real consultation with the fishing industry.”
Mr McKeown said the increasing number of commer
cial fishing exclusion zones were devastating the industry.
“There’s plenty of prawns, sea scallops and other seafood out there, but you can’t catch them. They’re dying of old age off our coast,” he said.
While prices have not yet jumped, Mr McKeown said the writing was on the wall.
“Prices will go through the roof — prawns have already risen about $6 per kilo at retail outlets, coming into Christmas,” he said.
“(Australian) seafood will become unaffordable for ordinary Australians, and they will be forced to use inferior imported products rather than the fresh, green seafood they have become used to.”
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