Assistance promised to fishing industry

An assistance package in the vicinity of $100 million will begin to flow to the fishing industry before the marine reserves announced this week are activated.

On Thursday, the Gillard Government announced the final network of reserves after consultation with marine and tourism businesses, environmental groups and the community.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister, Senator Joe Ludwig, said the Government will build a tailored assistance package with the fishing industry. This will be aimed at providing adjustment assistance to those directly impacted.

The package will be designed to meet case-by-case needs of these fishers and businesses, and the Government will work with industry to develop measures such as:
- Transitional business assistance to support changes to fishing business operations
- Assistance for employees including payments
- Investment in research and monitoring
- Removal of commercial fishing effort from impacted fisheries through possible purchase of entitlements
- Targeted assistance to vertically integrated fishing businesses

"Those impacted who want to change where they fish, how they fish, and what they fish, will be helped to do so. Those who can change their business model, or who opt to leave the industry, will get the assistance they require," Minister Ludwig said.

"Importantly as a Labor Government we will make sure impacted workers receive the help they need."

Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Tony Burke MP, said that throughout the process the Government worked to maximise conservation results and minimise impact on fishing of all kinds.

"Government and industry will work together to establish an assistance package. I want to make it clear that reserves will not come into effect until industry assistance is in place and flowing," Minister Burke said.

Further information is available at www.environment.gov.au/marinereserves