Colin Boyce (Flynn, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I recently downloaded the MarineTraffic app on my computer, which reveals real-time information on the movement of registered shipping throughout the world. I have seen many ships leaving the port of Gladstone and all the exports of gas, coal and so forth. Looking at the South China Sea and the Java Sea, I see thousands of ships in that area, including many fishing vessels.

Amidst all these turbulent tides, the struggle is real for the commercial fishing industry in Australia, including battling quotas, environmental green tape and market prices. The immediate future of the wild-catch commercial fishing industry and supply of fresh local seafood to consumers is under threat. In June 2023 the Labor federal and state governments released a statement advising that 100 net fishermen will be out of business by 31 December 2023. Under the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy, a net-free north, from Cape Bedford to the tip of Cape York, will also be established, and phasing out the limited remaining N1 licences will make the reef fishing free by 2027. We have the strongest regulations in our commercial fishing industry compared to any other country in the world.