Burdekin-based father-daughter fisher duo Neil and Sienna Green recently took to Canberra’s Parliament House to prepare fresh Burdekin-caught barramundi for politicians and press.
The barbecue and press event was hosted by Shadow Minister for Northern Australia Senator Susan McDonald and the Queensland Seafood Industry Association to raise awareness of the impacts of banning net fishing in Queensland on both industry and consumer.
“I invited fishers to Canberra to cook barramundi burgers for politicians and journalists to highlight that the wild-caught variety of this fish – a table favourite around the country, especially on Good Friday and Easter – will be more scarce and more expensive because of this net ban,” said Ms McDonald.
Burdekin fishers Dale Vener, Neil Green and Sienna Green joined Shadow Minister for Northern Australia Senator Susan McDonald to cook Burdekin barramundi in Canberra last week. Photo supplied
Shadow Minister for Northern Australia Senator Susan McDonald and Queensland seafood identities have warned that feasts of fresh fish are under threat after the State and Federal Government announced a phase out of gillnet fishing on the Great Barrier Reef.
Ms McDonald has been campaigning against the bans since mid-2023 and invited impacted Queensland fishers to Canberra to discuss the issue last Wednesday, March 27, including Burdekin-based Sienna Green who was recently named the Queensland Seafood Marketers Association’s ‘Young Achiever’ for her work publicising the sustainability of net fishing.
“The Queensland Government – with the full support and encouragement of the Federal Government – has rushed to do the bidding of UNESCO and completely ignored the people involved in the industry, the jobs it provides and the regional communities it supports,” said Ms McDonald.
“This is appalling overreach and it’s not backed by the federal Fisheries Research and Development Corporation which lists all the main net-caught species as sustainable on Queensland’s East Coast.”
According to the Queensland Government, “The use of gillnets is being phased out to better protect the threatened, endangered and iconic species of the Great Barrier Reef in keeping with its world heritage status.
“The phase out is being implemented as part of commercial fishing reforms led by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) to support sustainable fishing in Queensland, and is one of the commitments to UNESCO to protect the outstanding universal value of the Reef.”
Sienna’s fisherman father, Neil Green, said banning net fishing was an overreaction that would have severe impacts on fishers, consumers and retailers.
“There is no net fishing anywhere near the Great Barrier Reef, and the creeks, rivers and foreshores that are fished make up just 0.2% of reef waters,” Mr Green explained.
“This leaves 99.8% of the world heritage waters closed to net fishing.
“Barramundi licences in Queensland this year have been reduced from over 90 to 23, robbing consumers, restaurants and retailers of wild-caught barramundi.
“It will potentially deny them the opportunity entirely after mid-2027 when these 23 licences expire.”
Mr Green said the phase out is a warning to other primary producers after UNESCO advised the Federal Government that all food production in reef catchments must be further regulated.
“All primary industries and associated businesses in regional and coastal areas of Queensland need to band together before the government comes after them,” he said.
“We’re calling on the government to reverse this net ban and stand up to UNESCO before this and other important food producing primary industries are sent to the wall.”
Queensland Seafood Industry Association chief executive David Bobbermen said the Queensland Government had ignored fishers’ input and the industry’s moves to reduce impacts on non-target species and improve sustainability.
“There is a lot of science that supports the use of gillnets as one of the most targeted and low carbon emitting fishing methods,” he said.
“Many small regional and remote community economies are struggling, and the loss of net fishing is simply another nail in their coffin.”
Mr Green and Sienna’s partner Dale Vener were two of the 23 to be granted restricted NX licenses earlier this year, allowing them to continue to use gillnets to catch barramundi under strict conditions.
These licenses are due to expire in mid-2027.
L-R Normanton businessman Noel Scott, Burdekin fisher Sienna Green, Shadow Minister for Northern Australia, Senator Susan McDonald, Leader of the Federal National Party David Littleproud, Queensland Seafood Industry Association chief executive David Bobbermen and Burdekin fisher Neil Green. Photo supplied
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2023 Burdekin Life Pty Ltd.
.JPG)
