The effects of high fuel costs and cheap imports have initiated Queensland’s fisheries to conduct new seafood study. Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin told that the main aim of this diagnostic study is to examine the domestic supply chain for Queensland caught prawn, coral reef fin fish, and inshore finfish species. He added that this joint Government and industry study has been prompted by a decrease in profitability in the commercial fishing sector, in particular the trawl industry.
It is informed that the study will be jointly funded by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, the Queensland Seafood Industry Association and the Queensland Seafood Marketing Association. Mulherin said that the industry is struggling and by carrying out this study we are looking to a long-term solution, not a band-aid measure.
According to Mulherin the study will ensure that Queensland’s fisheries will remain ecologically sustainable into the future. Queensland seafood such as prawns, scallops and bugs are clean and green product when compared with some of the cheaper imported alternatives. He further said that the government will encourage all Queenslanders to support our primary producers by demanding locally caught seafood.
It is said that there will be recommendations result in further collaborative efforts between Government and industry to improve profitability in the commercial fishing sector. Recommendations are due in August. Mulherin also informed that during the study any future programmes to assist in marketing Queensland seafood can be designed to ensure that fair and reasonable prices are set through the entire supply chain.
