White spot disease control order extended for Clarence Valley prawn farmers as support package revealed

Prawn producers dealing with a crippling outbreak of white spot have been given a financial lifeline as biosecurity measures have been extended by two years. Here’s the latest.

A prawn infected with white spot disease.

Clarence prawn farmers struck by a crippling white spot disease outbreak have finally been given a financial lifeline, while strict biosecurity measures have been extended.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has revealed a $21.4 million support package to help those most in need.

A NSW Biosecurity Act Clarence Estuary control order issued on February 16, originally due to end on June 14, will continue for up to two years from June 9.

The contagious viral crustacean infection, which does not impact humans, was found in two Palmers Island prawn farms in February, and a third outbreak was detected in May.

Clarence Control Zone (in red). Source: NSW DPI.

Since the beginning of the outbreak, Clarence industry leaders and politicians have been lobbying the government to provide financial support.

In April, Clarence River Fishing Co-operative (CRFC) chief executive officer Danielle Adams was already sounding the alarm.

She said the recent outbreak put hundreds of local jobs at risk.

“Green school prawns account for a third of CRFC’s annual seafood income,” she said at the time.

“The white spot outbreak risks the viability of the business and the hundreds of local jobs CRFC supports if financial assistance is not made available.”

Clarence MP Richie Williamson (left), Page MP Kevin Hogan (second from right) and members of the Clarence River Fisherman's Co-Operative have urged governments to provide income support since the beginning of the outbreak.

Earlier this week, Yamba’s usually bustling marina was eerily quiet.

Clarence fisherman Bruce Clarke, who works with both his son Ricky and grandson Brodie was furious at the lack of government support or communication.

He said he only learned about the extension of the control order through media reports, despite having regularly asked government figures for an update

“It is a bloody disgrace from all sectors of government,” Mr Clarke said.

Local fisherman Bruce Clarke.

“The government should hang their heads in shame — this is beyond a joke, the official closure ended today but the government has not sent any information to us, not even an email.

“And us commercial fishermen are urgently needing help.”

Mr Clarke described the help he has received from the government to date as a “pittance”.

So far he has received $632.46 in credit from the government — far from enough to cover the cost of lost business.

Bruce Clarke’s fishing boat has been tied up since the outbreak was first announced.

Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said: “Biosecurity is the number one issue, it presents the most significant threat to our primary industries sector – as well as our economy, environment and communities.”

“This investment recognises the critical importance an effective response to white spot has on prawn fishing, farming and trade in Australia,” she said.

“It acknowledges the efforts of fishers and producers from the Clarence River region to the ongoing eradication effort and aims to ensure their ongoing contribution of the local fishing and aquaculture industry in the region.

“Biosecurity and fisheries experts from NSW Department of Primary Industry (DPI), working closely with local and national industry, have managed to contain the spread of the virus and are now working to support industry maintain and implement biosecurity measures that will minimise potential future introduction of white spot.”

Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty. Picture NCA Newswire/Gaye Gerard

The recovery package includes $5.4 million to help secure the future for Clarence River prawn fishers, $1.5 million to help farmers upgrade operations, a $309,000 rent fee waiver for the Clarence River Fisherman’s Cooperative, a $82,000 rent fee waiver for mooring fees for prawn trawlers and $165,000 in waivers for DPI administration fees for affected fishers and farmers.

It also includes $700,000 to waive interest payments for Seafood Innovation Fund Loans, $1 million in surveillance and diagnostic activities and $105,000 for the Stay Afloat mental health program.

NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Sarah Britton said: “These measures are set out in a new Control Order, which includes the continuation of current restrictions on movement of green decapod crustaceans from the existing Clarence River Control Zone for two years,” she said.

“This approach will help support NSW work to implement nationally agreed surveillance to demonstrate freedom, and underpin future market access.”