FEDERAL MONITORING BODY NOT CONSULTED ON COMMERCIAL FISHING BANS

More evidence bans on commercial net fishing in North Queensland were based on demands from environmental activists and not science has been revealed in Senate Estimates with federal fisheries officials confirming they were not consulted before the bans were announced.

Shadow Minister for Northern Australia, Senator Susan McDonald has slammed the fragmented approach to fisheries management after officials confirmed the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) had no role in deciding to end gillnet fishing in North Queensland by 2027.

The extraordinary exchange also revealed AFMA does not oversee Queensland’s fishing monitoring data and has undertaken only limited footage review for the Fish-LIGHT program, which is trialling alternative commercial fishing methods.

In September, Senator McDonald wrote to Queensland Ministers asking them to seek federal approval to pause the ban until the Fish-LIGHT trial ends in 2030.

Senator McDonald expressed frustration at repeated buckpassing between the Queensland and Commonwealth regulators over who is responsible for the net phase-out.

“We have fishing families in tears, seafood businesses wondering how they’ll survive, and coastal communities facing job losses,” she said.

“Australians’ ability to consume sustainable Australian seafood is under very real threat, yet when I asked the Commonwealth’s fisheries regulator about the evidence and decision-making behind this phase-out, I was told it hadn’t been involved.

“The State Government is implementing the net bans but the legislation to facilitate this is federal. 

“No one can tell me how this decision was reached. The Commonwealth body specifically tasked with monitoring our fishery wasn’t asked for input on the move, and the Queensland Government has given no indication it will reverse the ban implemented under the previous Labor regime.

“Meanwhile, the clock is ticking towards 2027 and North Queensland’s commercial seafood sector is expected to plan its future without knowing whether the alternatives being trialled will actually work.”

AFMA officials confirmed they had not participated in the decision to end gillnet fishing and had no role in assessing whether the phase-out should be delayed to accommodate the Fish-LIGHT trials.

“How can governments justify removing an established commercial fishing method before they know whether the proposed replacements are commercially viable?” Senator McDonald said.

“Surely the sensible approach is to complete the trials, examine the science and work with industry before making an irreversible decision about people’s livelihoods.

“We can protect our marine environment while still responsibly harvesting our own vast supplies of seafood.”

Senator McDonald said the situation raised broader concerns about Australia’s food security, with the nation already relying heavily on imported seafood despite having vast marine resources.

During Estimates, Agriculture Department officials confirmed fisheries would be considered in the developing National Food Security Strategy, including research with CSIRO to identify Australia’s most productive seafood areas and the pressures on access to them.

“Australia is surrounded by some of the richest fishing grounds in the world, yet we import 60-70% of the seafood we consume,” Senator McDonald said.

“Now the Albanese Government is reducing our capacity to supply Australian-caught fish while talking about developing a national food security strategy.

“This makes no sense. What’s the point of examining how to strengthen domestic food production while simultaneously removing the ability of established fishing businesses to operate?

“I’ve spoken to pensioners in North Queensland who say prices for their weekly fish purchases have already risen by 25 to 30 per cent as local catches declined as the net bans take effect.

“Restaurateurs say tourists want to eat wild-caught Australian fish but that will be off the menu. Then there are job losses in related industries such as icemakers, chandlers and marine mechanics.

“I’m calling on both governments to extend the deadline until 2030, complete the alternative fishing trials and properly examine the consequences for food security and regional employment.

“Most importantly, any decision must be based on science, not on foreign radical activism.”

ENDS