Far North fisherman fight proposed gillnet fishing closure

Far North fishermen are fighting for their livelihoods in the wake of a proposed gillnet fishing ban that could see the end of wild caught fishing in Queensland, according to an industry spokesman.

The Gulf of Carpentaria Commercial Fishermen Association is angry that the state and federal governments propose to ban gillnet fishing for a 3,000 square kilometre section of Gulf waters, in addition to the 750 square kilometre area that is already off limits. Gulf of Carpentaria Commercial Fishermen Association spokesperson Shawn McAtamney and secretary Claudine Ward with some of the 85 commercial licence holders who will be affected by the fishing ban. Picture: Brendan Radke

Far North fishermen are fighting for their industry in the wake of a proposed gillnet fishing ban that could see the end of wild caught fishing in Queensland, according to an industry spokesman.

Fishermen from across the Far North met in Cairns today to formalise a response to the state and federal government’s proposed gillnet fishing closure, which will see gillnet fishing bans applied to areas of The Gulf of Carpentaria from early 2024.

The Gulf of Carpentaria Commercial Fishermen Association spokesman Shawn McAtamney said the proposed closures would severely impair the region’s wild caught fishing industry, which he estimated to be worth in excess of $100m, and impact secondary industries, including tourism.

The Gulf of Carpentaria Commercial Fishermen Association is angry that the state and federal governments propose to ban gillnet fishing for a 3,000 square kilometre section of Gulf waters, in addition to the 750 square kilometre area that is already off limits. ISP Fish Mart retail assistant Marie Smith holds a tray of barramundi, which are fished from Gulf waters. Picture: Brendan Radke

“These fisherman will be the last wild caught barramundi fisherman in the Queensland context,” Mr McAtamney said.

“The tourism industry is a major contributor to this area and they are also a very valuable customer.”

Mr McAtamney claimed the proposed gillnet fishing free zones would actually further endanger at-risk species which the closures aim to protect.

“Because of the size of the implementation it will actually condense our fishery to a much smaller catching area, therefore increasing the threat to these species,” Mr McAtamney said.

“Managing this fishery forward sustainably, there are a range of other measures the government should be considering if it wants to engage with industry properly.”

He added although they had not initially been consulted by state government, they had been given a short consultation period to put forward a response before November 17.

“We’ve had five weeks to prepare our submission to inform this process,” he said.

“It’s quite concerning that there hasn’t been a proper level of consultation that the government is rushing this policy through.”

The Gulf of Carpentaria Commercial Fishermen Association is angry that the state and federal governments propose to ban gillnet fishing for a 3,000 square kilometre section of Gulf waters, in addition to the 750 square kilometre area that is already off limits. Skipper Kieran Howard is one of the 85 commercial licence holders who will be affected by the fishing ban. Picture: Brendan Radke

Third generation Weipa fisherman Kieran Howard said the proposed closure had delayed his parent’s retirement from their family business.

“We’re feeling very anxious about where we’re going as an industry,” Mr Howard said.

Despite working with CSIRO on-board his boat, Mr Howard said he did not feel he had been given sufficient support to build a sustainable fishing operation.

“They never approached us and gave us the opportunity to be re-educated.”

Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef Senator Nita Green said protecting the reef and its inhabitants was crucial to economy and the region’s job market.

“We know that gillnets can do great harm to our precious reef species.

“As Special Envoy, I met with the Queensland seafood industry in regard to these reforms and I will continue to consult with all relevant stakeholders.”

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries said “more than 100 people” were consulted in the process and consultations were continuing for another week.

“No final decisions have been made, feedback from communities and commercial fishers will be critical in determining the final outcomes,” a spokesperson for the department said.

Originally published as Far North fisherman fight proposed gillnet fishing closure