As per the information North Coast fishing co-operatives will struggle to sell imported prawns to the seafood-loving public as locally caught produce is offloaded on to the black market. This will become more active if the trawling ban happens in Solitary Islands Marine Park and Commonwealth waters.
The commercial fishing industry is vehemently opposing the State Government’s proposed changes to the marine park. The plan, which is open to community consultation until September, pushes for a blanket ban on trawlers in the marine park within two years under commercial fishing licence buybacks.
According to the professional fishermen the review will decimate the Coffs Coast’s $16 million seafood industry. The marine park authority has responded to the scaremongering, saying it’s acting on public pressure to phase out the “damaging fishing activity”. Marine Parks Authority member and head of NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Sally Barnes said all views would be considered before the State Government made a final decision.
Barnes informed that up to 15 percent of the annual king-prawn catch for Coffs Harbour occurs in state waters, either in or outside the Solitary Islands Marine Park. They want to work with industry to hear their views and concerns, opined Barnes. John Harrison, of the Professional Fishermen’s Association, has urged the public to express their views if they really love seafood on their plate. Federal member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker is actively campaigning on behalf of the industry, calling for “reasonable consideration” with the state marine park review as well as the Federal Government review of Commonwealth waters.
