QLD: Cooper urges caution on southern fishery closure

AAP General News (Australia)
04-08-1999
QLD: Cooper urges caution on southern fishery closure

GOLD COAST, Qld, April 8 AAP - A seasonal closure of the southern trawl fishery could lead
to job loses and hurt the south-east Queensland economy, opposition primary industries
spokesman Russell Cooper said today.

Mr Cooper said although large-scale commercial fishing businesses should be able to
accommodate the state government's proposal to close the fishery from September 20 to December
11, many family prawn and scallop fishermen would struggle.

"I really doubt whether the state government has considered the impact on small and medium
fishing businesses and the regional economies they support in pushing this closure," Mr Cooper
said in a statement.

"Smaller fishing boats are already restricted in the amount of time they can fish because
of rough weather over the summer season."

Mr Cooper said the fluctuation in scallop and prawn supplies was also likely to cause
disruptions to valuable seafood markets, particularly during the Christmas period.

He said if commercial fishermen were forced to sit out the three months, the businesses
which serviced them - such as mechanics, boilermakers, electricians and equipment suppliers -
also would suffer.

Mr Cooper urged Primary Industries Minister Henry Palaszczuk to reconsider the proposal and
look at other options, including localised closure and catch size restrictions.

AAP ch/sd/kr

KEYWORD: FISHERY

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