Vella‘s on Sydney owner Jay Ashford talks potential Spanish mackerel price hike

The price of Mackay’s fish and chips could hit a drastic new high as discussions on reduced catch quotas for ‘North Queensland’s main fish’ surface.

It may be ‘cheap as chips’ no longer as discussions on quotas for the region’s favourite chip accompaniment, Spanish mackerel, hit the table.

A Mackay fish and chip shop owner said they feared what additional quotas could mean for their livelihood — and the future of the iconic Australian weekend lunch.

Vella’s on Sydney owner Jay Ashford said his businesses had already endured multiple price hikes on the fish, with one as recent last Friday.

“Fish and chips used to be cheap, but its not now,” Mr Ashford said.

Vella’s on Sydney owner Jay Ashford said his businesses had already endured multiple prices hikes, with one as recent last Friday. Picture: Ashley Pillhofer

Mr Ashford said his business solely stocked mackerel, selling out of almost 400kg every week.

He said further increases in price of the fish would have a ripple effect throughout the region.

“It’s North Queensland’s main fish,” Mr Ashford said.

“We’ve had opportunities to source other fish but it’s not as good as mackerel.

“We’ve tried barra and it doesn’t sell.

“Coral trout is way too expensive, we’re not a restaurant so we can’t pay an arm and a leg for it.”

‘We’re hoping people will keep supporting us even with a price rise’. Picture: Ashley Pillhofer

Mr Ashford said he had no idea what they would do if additional quotas were put in place.

“We’re hoping people will keep supporting us even with a price rise,” he said.

“Any small business will feel the full effect of it.”

Many Mackay fishers are reeling with anger after a Queensland Fisheries Department study on the population of the fish suggested stocks were as low as 17 per cent.

Despite the information still being processed and no action having yet been taken, many in the fishing community hold concerns about the Department of Fisheries data and handling of the situation.

Mackay Reef Fish Supplies owner David Caracciolo said he was worried the Spanish mackerel situation would wind up “like the jewfish”.

For consumers David Caracciolo said many Mackay businesses would also feel the brunt of any additional restriction to fishing the species.

“At the moment we don’t know what Fisheries are doing, but we’ve seen what they’ve done in the past,” Mr Caracciolo said.

He voice his fear that further restrictions on the Spanish mackerel would “decimate people’s livelihoods”.

“It’s like coming to you and saying you can only work five hours a week, while you have car and house to pay,” Mr Caracciolo.

He said many Mackay businesses would also feel the brunt of any additional restriction to fishing the species.

“Apart from the fishermen, there will be a big dent to the fish and chip trade and tackle shops that rely heavily on the specialised mackerel gear,” Mr Caracciolo said.

‘Apart from the fishermen, there will be a big dent to the fish and chip trade and tackle shops that rely heavily on the specialised mackerel gear’.

In his time, Mr Caracciolo said he has watched commercial reef fishing boats drop from 50 to eight — and Mackay’s frozen mackerel boats drop from five to zero.

With this in mind, he said he couldn’t understand how the species’ numbers were dropping and accused Department of Fisheries of mismanagement.

Mr Caracciolo was not alone, with the Queensland Seafood Industry Association calling for a vote of no confidence against the department.

In his time, Mr Caracciolo said he has watched commercial reef fishing boats drop from 50 to eight — and Mackay’s frozen mackerel boats drop from five to zero.

QSIA CEO Eric Perez said his organisation had asked the fisheries for the data and methodologies it used in the recent Spanish mackerel study, but said he was refused.

“We have no faith in the science they have used, when they did the assessment they hadn’t taken in the recreational impact on the stock from recreational fishermen,” Mr Perez said.

“That’s not the recs fault, it’s the department’s fault.

“The fishery is meant to be a quota managed — but if we are quota managed, how did we get to this point, how did it get so bad?”

Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries spokesman responded to the accusation saying it was responding to the science regarding low stock numbers and did not support the Mr Caracciolo’s narrative that there were less fishers in the water.

“While we are seeing some trading in of fishing symbols and quotas, there are many factors driving this, and there is no evidence to support the claim that fishers are leaving the industry in significant numbers,” the spokesman said.

The Mackay fishing community is reeling with anger in anticipation of a possible additional restrictions on the popular Spanish mackerel.

In responding to the concerns about the study itself, the spokesman said the data was primarily taken from commercial and recreational fishers themselves.

“The data used in the stock assessment relies heavily on catch information provided by commercial fishers via their logbooks, as well as recreational catch data, and biological data such as size, age and ability to mass spawn, which is collected from samples provided by both recreational and commercial fishers,” he said.

In addressing concerns raised about mismanagement, the spokesman said they were responding to the science which signified there were low stock numbers.

He said it was important to note that no changes had been made to recreational or commercial fishing rules for Spanish mackerel yet.

“A public consultation process was planned for early 2022 to allow commercial fishers, recreational fishers and other stakeholders to have their say on proposed management arrangements,” the spokesman said.

“The Queensland Government’s Sustainable Fisheries Strategy is the biggest fisheries reform in Queensland’s history, and will ensure healthy fish stocks to support thousands of Queensland jobs.”