New fishing quotas that were introduced on July 1 have dramatically reduced the amount of mackerel permitted to be extracted by commercial and recreational fishers in the Whitsundays.
Most significantly impacted is the local mackerel fishing industry which has had their quota reduced from 600 tonnes to just 165 tonnes for the 2023 fishing season.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries said that the decision was made to “ensure recovery of Spanish mackerel stocks” that have dipped below 17 per cent of the estimated original biomass.
But local seafood restaurateur, Kev Collins, said that the new rules will be “Armageddon” for the fishing industry and that local Mackerel stocks are, in fact, plentiful.
“There’s Mackerel everywhere – they’re like fleas on a dog!” said Mr Collins.
“The truth is they get extra brownie points with UNESCO if they reduce quotas – they simply don’t want an extractive industry in a national park.
“They have an agenda which is to get rid of commercial fishing by cutting quotas.”
Mr Collins states that 33 per cent of the Marine Park has been a green zone since 2004 and that they were told this zoning was intended to bring the biomass back up to 100 per cent.
“It’s been 19 years! – How can it still be at 17 per cent?” he said.
“Mackerel are a common fish and the evidence used to create this 17 per cent has already been debunked.”
Mr Collins refers to a recent independent report by the Queensland Seafood Industry Association (QSIA) which he says found Mackerel stocks to be plentiful.
Trevor Draper, who has been a Mackerel fisherman in the area for 52 years said that there are plenty of fish out there, but they are not allowed to go anywhere near them.
“I’ve just about given up fighting as we’ve never won anything – there are plenty of Mackerel out there, but they are all in the green zones and we are not allowed anywhere near them,” he explains.
“These new rules have hit like a bomb – every one of the reasons they are using are a blatant lie, there is not one word of truth in any of it.”
Mr Collins added that there are other areas where sustainable commercial fishing takes place – he cited Indonesia where a similar size area to the Whitsundays has been fished and replenished naturally for generations without harsh quotas.
“They are the same size as us and are consistently taking 12,000 tonnes of Spanish Mackerel,” he said.
“They’ve been collecting data since 1992 and they still have enough.”
While the Mackerel industry is impacted now, Mr Collins warns that other types of fishing will soon follow.
“They are going to ban all in-shore netting by November as well,” he said.
“This means we won’t have any local Barramundi, Whiting, Brim, or Mangrove Jacks.
“I refuse to serve imported fish in my restaurant, so we are having to completely review the way we operate.
“We have lost 12 million serves of fish a year with these new rules!”
Mr Collins states that the reason for the in-shore netting ban does not make sense.
“They say that the nets are a threat to the dugongs, turtles and hammerheads, but last year they made a rule that fishers have to stay with their net,” he explains.
“That way, if a turtle gets stuck, they can let them out.”
“All these decisions are for the Green votes and the city seats – no-one is thinking about lost jobs and our local history which is also going to be lost.”
With the trade becoming increasingly unviable, there are less and less people starting out as Mackerel fishers and those that are already in the industry are left with redundant licences, challenging quotas and wasted investments.
“I feel sorry for the young guys – poor buggers – trying to make this work these days there is no compensation, and the licences? – who knows what they are worth?” said Mr Draper.
Spanish Mackerel quotas for commercial fishers have been reduced from 600 tonnes to 160 tonnes this season. Stock image supplied
Caption: Kevin Collins owner of Fish D’vine in Airlie Beach, Trevor Draper, Mackerel Fisherman of 52 years and Matt Calder owner Fishi, a fresh seafood supplier.
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