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Biosecurity measures restricting the movement of raw prawns out of the Clarence Estuary have been extended by up to two years.
Key points:
- The NSW government has extended a Biosecurity White Spot Control Order by two years
- Prawn fishers in the Clarence River Estuary are calling on the government to offer buy-outs
- An MP says a government support package for industry needs to be substantial
The control order was first issued on February 16 under the NSW Biosecurity Act after the detection of white spot disease on prawn farms at Palmers Island.
It was due to expire on Wednesday, June 14.
The Department of Primary Industries said the extension, which came into effect on June 9, included requirements that would enhance existing biosecurity measures on prawn farms.
"These measures relate to risk management improvements for traceability and record keeping, broodstock and post-larvae, appropriate feed usage, and security of stock," a spokesperson said.
Pressure is now being applied to the NSW government to deliver a recovery support package for the Clarence River Prawn Fishery.
Clarence prawn fisherman Steve Everson said he had received confirmation from the government a package, including income support, was on its way.
"I'm just hoping that's a positive for the fishing families and the infrastructures around the Clarence moving forward," he said.
Prawn trawlers have been tied up since February with fishermen needing to find other work in the region to draw an income.
"Everyone's getting along trying to make ends meet where they can and I take my hat off to some of the local businesses, Howard Marine and even our own co-op who have employed fishers," he said.
"But the fishermen are fishermen and that's what they want to do first."
Call for buy-outs
Mr Everson said the government should consider offering buy-outs if the fishery was being shut down for another two years.
"Even if we are compensated, some people are not going to survive it because of the compensation or how it's spread," he said.
"If people could get out with some dignity and some finance behind them they could start another career, and at the moment our boats and our licences are worth zero."
Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty and the NSW Department of Primary Industries have been contacted for details on the recovery support package.
Fears industry will collapse
Clarence MP Richie Williamson is calling for the government to offer a significant support package for the industry.
"It needs to ensure that the industry can survive after the two-year lockdown in Clarence on the movement of raw prawns," he said.
"Through no fault of their own their businesses have been decimated for two years, and it's now time that the government steps up and supports them.
"There needs to be support to the prawn farmers, to the prawn fishing families and also the processors, otherwise the industry just will simply collapse on the Clarence."
Mr Williamson said Australia's biosecurity measures needed to be looked at.
"We now have the bizarre situation where there is a control order on the movement of green prawns from one section within NSW, and maybe the biosecurity order should be on the importation of green prawns into this nation because this is why we have the problem," he said.
The Department of Primary Industries said the source of the white spot outbreak was yet to be determined.
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