Members of the local fishing industry are gravely concerned that their livelihood will soon be ruined following a series of strict quotas that they say make it unfeasible to operate.
They believe that these quotas are being forged upon inaccurate statistics that incorrectly assert that the Great Barrier Reef marine environment has been over-fished despite it being plentiful and abundant.
The owner of Fish D’Vine in Airlie Beach, Kev Collins, said that he gets 85 per cent of his fish from local fishers but is worried this will soon dry up.
“We used to have one of the best managed fisheries in the world,” he said.
“But now they seem to be determined to run commercial fishing out of business.”
Mr Collins is frustrated that while local tourism is centred around fresh local produce, the quotas on seafood such as Mud Crab and Mackerel make it unfeasible for small independent fishing businesses to supply the restaurant industry.
“One fishery after another is being shut down,” he said.
“It’s not viable to go fishing any more – we are trying to promote sustainable seafood as a linchpin, but we can’t sell fish!
“It’s built on statistics and lies – so they can easily manipulate it for the ‘green vote’.”
Mr Collins says that 20 years ago 33 per cent of the reef was closed-off to protect fish stock and he believes this should now be replenished.
“It should now be back up to 100 per cent stock and there should be spill over,” he explains.
“Fisherman are catching plenty of fish, but they are still saying that Spanish Mackerel is still at 17 per cent – it just doesn’t add up!”
Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm and Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Perrett, met with members of the local fishing industry last week to hear of their concerns.
At the meeting Ms Camm and Mr Perrett said they would lobby the government to review the science and data methodology used to make changes to the Spanish Mackerel industry.
“The changes to the Spanish Mackerel industry highlight the government’s refusal to listen to Queenslanders,” Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Perret said.
“These changes have the potential to destroy many small businesses and possibly the industry, and the government won’t explain to the industry their data methodology even when it has been questioned by many.”
“I encourage the Queensland Government to start listening to Queenslanders, especially our fishers and farmers that are drowning in red tape imposed by this out-of-touch government.”
Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm and Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Perrett, met with members of the local fishing industry last week to hear of their concerns. Photo credit: Rachael Smith
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