The Clarence River Prawn Trawl Fishery has been highly productive since its beginnings in the 1880s, with Yamba and Iluka in the modern era being the home ports of the largest prawn trawling fleet in New South Wales [NSW DPI, April 2022] which has a reputation for landing approximately half of the total annual catch of school prawns in the state and is an integral part of the Clarence region seafood industry worth estimated $40-60 million annually.
The total ban on prawn movement out of the Clarence River estuary since 16 February 2023 after White Spot Syndrome Virus* was detected in three northern NSW prawn farms, whilst a vital biosecurity measure, comes on top of flood impacts on the Lower Clarence estuary in 2022 and will inevitably affect the Clarence Valley's Gross Regional Product (GRP) bottom line.
As professional fishers tend to spend most of their income locally, there is likely to be a flow-on effect on businesses in Lower Clarence River commercial precincts.
Note: White Spot was first detected in NSW in August 2022 & eradicated in September 2022, according to NSW Dept. of Primary Industries. The disease poses no risk to human health.
According to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (RFDC):
The Clarence River Region is known for its high-quality prawn markets. The region was kept profitable during COVID restrictions due to a significant portion of the fisher directing its product to the highly profitable bait market. This diversification away from the consumer market has ensured stability for the region. Many fishing businesses pivoted their strategies to meet this new buyer to the region. The loss of the uncooked prawn market in the Clarence region will therefore destabilize the industry.
Clarence Valley Independent, 21 June 2023:
Prawn trawlers will be locked out of the Clarence River for two years as part of a $21.4 million NSW government biosecurity response and recovery plan from White Spot, which has devastated the multi-million-dollar industry.
NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Sarah Britton said a critical component of the plan is the long-term measures to help drive business and trade continuity in NSW and other parts of Australia.
“A number of new and enhanced on-farm biosecurity measures will be essential in ensuring businesses can continue operations safely and securely,” she said.
“These measures are set out in a new Control Order, which includes the continuation of current restrictions on movement of green decapod crustaceans from the existing Clarence River Control Zone for two years.”
Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said the funding is for both the ongoing biosecurity response to White Spot and a targeted assistance package for industry.
“Biosecurity is the number one issue, it presents the most significant threat to our primary industries sector – as well as our economy, environment and communities,” Minister Moriarty said.
“This investment recognises the critical importance an effective response to White Spot has on prawn fishing, farming and trade in Australia. It acknowledges the efforts of fishers and producers from the Clarence River region to the ongoing eradication effort and aims to ensure their ongoing contribution of the local fishing and aquaculture industry in the region.
Ms Moriarty said biosecurity experts had contained the spread of the virus, which poses no threat to human health.
“Biosecurity and fisheries experts from NSW Department of Primary Industry (DPI), working closely with local and national industry, have managed to contain the spread of the virus and are now working to support industry maintain and implement biosecurity measures that will minimise potential future introduction of white spot.
“The DPI recovery team has been on the ground since the first detections of White Spot and many affected fishers and producers have presented options to the team which have been considered when putting this plan together.”
Ms Britton said the plan will see new surveillance measures implemented to protect the industry.
“This approach will help support NSW work to implement nationally agreed surveillance to demonstrate freedom and underpin future market access,” she said.
“White Spot poses no threat to human health and NSW prawns remain safe for human consumption. NSW prawns are available from local seafood suppliers.”
The plan includes:
* $5.4 million to help secure the future for Clarence River prawn fishers
* $1.5 million to help prawn farmers upgrade their operations to better protect the environment
* $309,000 rent fee waiver for the Clarence River Fisherman’s Cooperative
* $82,000 rent fee waiver for mooring fees for the Clarence River prawn trawlers
* $165,000 in waivers for all DPI Administration fees for affected prawn fishers and farmers
* $700,000 to waive interest payments for Seafood Innovation Fund Loans
* $1 million in surveillance and diagnostic activities
* $105,000 for the mental health ‘Stay Afloat’ program
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