The use of gillnets in commercial fishing is set to be phased out in north Queensland as the federal and Queensland governments announced the practise will be completely banned on the Great Barrier Reef by mid-2027.
Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox shared his concern for the ban’s adverse impacts on local fisherman, regional businesses, and Dawson residents.
“With hundreds employed within the fishing industry right here in Dawson, this shock ban has blindsided our local fishing industry and will leave many people jobless,” Mr Willcox said.
“These are mums and dads just trying to make a living for their families and feed our nation.
“These people are now left with an insecure future.”
Mr Willcox said the ban, on top of the ‘Fresh Food Tax’ and ‘Truckie Tax’, will increase the cost of local agricultural produce at the checkout.
“The gillnet ban will inevitably lead to a lower amount of sustainably caught wild fish being available to Australian consumers, which will drive prices up,” he said.
More than 200 commercial fishermen in Queensland are set to be adversely affected by the ban, with Minister for Environment Tanya Plibersek mentioning a compensation package, although details are unclear.
The Queensland Seafood Industry Association has expressed disappointment at the lack of industry consultation by the Government and have shared concerns around a lack of discussion as to how the compensation will be calculated.
Local fisherman David Craacciolo said gillnets aren’t used around the Great Barrier Reef, for fear of damaging the expensive equipment.
“I’ve been in the industry for 50 years, and I don’t know at any time when anyone has ever put a gillnet in the Barrier Reef, on the Barrier Reef or around the Barrier Reef,” he said.
“We’re right here in the mangroves, in the mud and the sand.”
The Mackay Conservation Group has welcomed the ban, with President Tony Fontes saying it’s a vital step towards building a more resilient reef.
“A lot of iconic species and endangered species like sea turtles and dugongs, which are air breathers, get tangled up in gillnets and perish which is not what gillnet fishermen are looking for but it’s collateral damage and it’s pretty significant,” he said.
“Some of these gillnets are a kilometre or more in length so they catch an awful lot of fish and a lot of its bycatch, so fish are dying for no benefit to anybody.
“We can build resilience in the reef so that it can hopefully withstand the impact of climate change by doing the little things such as removing gillnets and making it a healthier environment.”
Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox is calling for consultation after the Government banned gillnet fishing on the Great Barrier Reef. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie
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