Mackay’s commercial fishers have warned that Labor’s new fishing regulations will force the closure of businesses which have operated in the region for generations.
LNP Shadow Minister for Fisheries Tony Perrett and LNP candidate for Whitsunday Amanda Camm met concerned fishers at a meeting in Mackay today.
“Commercial fishers fear there is no future for their industry under Labor,” Mr Perrett said.
“The quotas pushed through by the Palaszczuk Labor Government are not economic for many commercial fishers in Mackay and the Whitsundays to make a living.
“It is a disgrace that families who have fished these waters for generations have been pushed to breaking point by Annastacia Palaszczuk.”
More than 3,000 people work in Queensland’s commercial fishing industry.
Ms Camm said jobs would be destroyed if Labor did not re-think its fishing regulations.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk is anti-regions, anti-fishing and anti-jobs,” Ms Camm said.
“Labor’s changes have been condemned by fishers across the state, but the frustration in this region is especially intense.
“Families which have fished in this region for generations are being torn apart because Labor has cut quotas to unsustainable levels.
“It’s very simple. If fishers don’t have large enough quotas then they can’t make a living and they will be forced out of the industry.”
Ms Camm said no modelling had been done on the impact of quota changes on fishing cities like Mackay.
“The LNP will respect fishers and restore balance to the industry,” Ms Camm said.
“The LNP’s seafood labelling policy will also encourage more Queenslanders to buy seafood caught by Queensland’s fishing fleet.
“We will back fishing in Mackay and the Whitsundays from the catch to the plate.”
