Tuesday 7 October 2008

Will the NSW North Coast lose its valuable fishing industry?

The Sydney Morning Herald yesterday:

CLIMATE change is likely to hit supplies of many of Australia's favourite eating fish, including barramundi, salmon, rock lobster and prawns, the most extensive study on the subject yet undertaken by the Federal Government has warned.
The CSIRO study, commissioned by the Department of Climate Change and to be released today, reports the overall impact of global change "will pose some very significant risks to the sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture in Australia".
Projected changes in temperature, ocean currents, rainfall and extreme weather events due to climate change are all likely to significantly influence fish stocks and marine ecosystems in the $2.1 billion Australia fishery and aquaculture industry, the report finds.

The NSW North Coast has a regional economy whichs depends significantly on commercial and recreational fishers.
In the
Clarence Valley alone commercial fishing (including prawning) supports at least 370 jobs and is worth around $27 million annually.
Tourism across the region also depends on vistors whose focus is ocean or river fishing.

Everyone it seems is beginning to notice the absence of big fish numbers along the coast and locals are complaining that it is becoming harder to catch a feed.
This latest CSIRO report points to the possibility that these complaints are not just an excuse for an empty creel.
CSIRO report here.

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