The Queensland government is working with the commercial fishing industry and is making available a $3.66 million assistance package to help the industry cope with the effects of coronavirus on seafood exports.
Measures include waiving tropical rock lobster and coral trout quota fees for the first six months of 2020, and fishing boat licence fee waivers for these and other fisheries affected by coronavirus, such as mud crab, and expanding the tropical rock lobster fishery area for three months. This will reduce operating costs for quota holders and allow fishermen to sell product into other markets while maintaining crew and jobs in the short term.
A local seafood promotion campaign to encourage Queenslanders to support our local fishing by buying local is being set up and rural financial counselling services will be provided to commercial fishermen, fishery supply chain and tourism businesses affected by coronavirus. Market diversification and resilience grants are being made to help develop alternative markets.
Market diversification and resilience grants of up to $50,000 will be available to support activities including, but not limited to market evaluation studies, market visits, training, new processing equipment such as refrigeration or vacuum packaging machines and vessel modifications necessary to meet new market requirements.
