The independent Structural Adjustment Review Committee (SARC) is writing to all commercial fishing businesses in NSW, with each fisher receiving the draft recommendations that relate to their business.
“This state needs a commercial fishing sector that is viable and sustainable long in to the future. Doing nothing is not an option, which is why the NSW Government will make the necessary reforms to secure the future of this industry,” Mr Blair said.
“This reform is about providing greater certainty and security to the commercial fishing industry – something this sector deserves.
“But this reform is also about assisting fishing businesses to either exit or remain in the industry, through a $16 million business adjustment program.”
All commercial fishers are encouraged to examine the materials they receive from the SARC, and to use this next period of consultation to provide constructive feedback to assist the committee with finalising its recommendations.
The SARC has considered extensive stakeholder feedback and will now consult further with the commercial fishing industry on its draft recommendations.
The SARC has recommended modifying the $16 million adjustment program, removing a number of high impact options from consideration and giving commercial fishers more time to adjust to the changes.
The SARC will make final recommendations to the NSW Government in September 2015.
The NSW Government will make no final decisions in relation to the reform until after it has considered the SARC’s final recommendations.
More information, including all of the SARC’s draft recommendations, is available at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/commercial/reform.
