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jaybee
02-07-2004, 04:52 PM
30jun04

COMMERCIAL fishermen will be offered up to $200,000 to help cope with strict new no-fishing zones in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park off the Queensland coast.

The restrictions, announced in March and due to take effect from tomorrow, protect one third of the massive reef from commercial fishing activities.

But while environmentalists have applauded the plan, fishermen and related industries along the length of the Queensland coast are concerned their livelihood is under threat, with many predicting the death of the industry.

Federal Environment Minister David Kemp and Fisheries Minister Ian Macdonald detailed plans of a federal assistance package for fishermen today.

The package includes providing up to $200,000 in assistance to eligible businesses to help meet the cost of reorganising their operations.

The government will also initiate a buy-out scheme to purchase fishing licences and associated endorsements, while business planning assistance up to $1000 per business will be provided.

Employees will be eligible for a one-off payment of either $3000 for crew or $5000 for master ticket holders, to cover the cost of dislocation.

Social support services will be provided while a technical advisory body made up of government and industry representatives will be established to provide advice on issues that arise during the administration of the assistance package.

Dr Kemp said while the new restrictions were a "great outcome" for marine conservation, he recognised the impact they would have on fishing industries in Queensland.

Senator Macdonald said while every effort had been made to minimise the impact on fishermen, some would be negatively affected.

"It was never going to be possible to reduce the impact completely and we expect there will be some areas particularly significantly affected and some fisheries, such as the inshore net fishery, where the impact will be more pronounced," Senator Macdonald said.

The assistance will be available as soon as possible after July 1, with information packs to be distributed and information sessions organised as soon as possible.