The government of NSW is under sharp criticism for not offering capital to the commercial fishing industry in an unprecedented scheme for unviable fishing businesses to exit the industry through industry-generated funds. The Seafood Industry Advisory Council is endorsing the scheme.
Information revealed that there are about 250 inactive or unviable NSW fishing businesses and grants of up to AUD 15,000 (USD 13,301) are currently available for them. The idea is to cut the existing 1,100 fishing business by 10 percent. The money stems from a AUD 1.5 million (USD 1.3 million) pool put together from industry fees.
Chairman of the Council Graham Burns said that NSW Industry and Investment is facilitating the programme. Meanwhile, fishers are angry that the government has not contributed any money to the scheme. John Harrison from the Professional Fishermen’s Association is also irritated. He said the government has funded other agricultural industry exit programmes.
He informed that the successive processes have been ignored by ministers and we’re sort of rated as a poor cousin if you like. He told fishers can sell or transfer their fishing entitlements to other fishing businesses under the programme. NSW Industry and Investment Doug Ferral explained that the management of the fishery can be made more efficient by linking the share to the access right, some people would be familiar with the idea of quota, more shares, more quota so people can tailor their business to what they do.
