Coronavirus Qld: Seafood industry brought to its knees

It’s not only tourism and retail that are doing it tough amid the coronavirus scare. Another industry has been brought to its knees and is seeking drought-style relief payments.

THE $200 million Queensland seafood industry has been brought to its knees by the coronavirus, and is desperately seeking Newstart or drought-allowance-type payments to see skippers and crew through the crisis.

Jobs have already been lost as the live coral trout trade has dried up due to the halt of exports to China since the outbreak, while mud crab and other fish sales have suffered as prices drop and demand falls while people are avoiding restaurants.

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The Queensland seafood and commercial fishing industry has been devastated by a fall in demand and price caused by the impacts of the coronavirus on the economy and behaviour.

The Queensland Seafood Industry Association has written directly to Prime Minister Scott Morrison seeking help.

Newstart or Farm Household Allowance style payments for commercial fishers, skippers and crew, or low-to-no interest loans for commercial operations to adapt vessels to catch a broader array of seafood, have all been raised potential avenues for assistance.

Association boss Eric Perez said it was not just the export market that had dried up, but prices had dramatically fallen domestically as well.

“If people are not going to restaurants, not buying seafood, that has an effect on us. It’s had a bigger impact than expected,” Mr Perez said.

“We need help and we need it soon.”

He said the industry employed about 2000 people, many of whom were in regional and coastal towns.

“If there’s programs targeted to the farming community, they can be adjusted to the seafood industry,” Mr Perez said.

Live coral trout which was securing $51/kg in China has fallen to $16/kg before expenses in some cases, making it unviable, while mud crab prices have halved in some cases.

Queensland LNP senator Paul Scarr said coronavirus had a devastating impact on the industry.

“Something positive each and every one of us can do is go out and buy Australian seafood, either cook it at home or buy it at a restaurant,” he said.

LNP Senator Paul Scarr says people should go out and by Australian seafood to support the industry.

Senator Scarr said “all options” needed to be on the table to assist the industry.

“We need to consider a whole range of issues to make sure the industry is sustainable. That includes the response to the present coronavirus situation, but also the over-regulation they have had to deal with ove rthe last number of years.”

Assistant minister for fisheries Jonathon Duniam said he was working closely with the QSIA about helping the industry.

He said this included by keeping them update with the latest information regarding the virus and advice regarding accessing new markets and diversifying their business.

“This will not only help in the short term, but will create opportunities into the future by opening up new markets for our in-demand seafood,” Senator Duniam said.

“This is a challenging time but our seafood industry is resilient and we will continue to listen and do what we can to support them as they work through this.”