NSW GOVERNMENT INVESTS IN COMMERCIAL FISHING
NSW Government invests in commercial fishing…
The NSW Government invests over a million dollars to help establish a peak body for the commercial fishing industry. It is to deliver an effective advocate to work with the Government to help promote a feasible commercial fishing sector in NSW.
The government acknowledges that the commercial fishing industry is the cornerstone of NSW’s economy. It contributes more than $170 million per annum. The industry directly employs more than 1600 people. Hence, it is a crucial industry on NSW’s coast. Therefore, the NSW Government commits to supporting this important industry.
Viability
The NSW Government is working on ensuring the commercial fishing industry is viable. Therefore, it needs to be productive and sustainable. So the commercial fisheries sector flourish now and for future generations to come. According to the NSW Agriculture Ministry, it is their focus to ensure growth and sustainability.
The Government recognises the challenges the industry is facing. Hence, the reason to focus on its importance and to establish a united peak body. So, the objective of the industry body will be to advocate and work with the Government. Together, they must achieve sustainable growth for the sector. Thus far, the industry plays a major role in many of the NSW coastal communities. The NSW Government had made an election commitment to establish a single united commercial fishing peak body.
Fishers’ businesses
Over the past 10 months or so, the government worked with the fishers and their businesses to foster the setting up of the new industry body. The peak body for the industry has been named the NSW Wild Harvest Fishers’ Association Incorporated (WHAFA).
The WHAFA is to receive $350,000 per annum for three years. It is to help the association to actively engage with the state’s commercial fishers. Thus, allowing the industry to speak with one united voice. Therefore, the initial funding is the foundation for helping the WHFA to become a self-sustainable peak body for the industry. They can effectively represent and advocate for the commercial fishing sector.
Industry facilitation
NSW Government-supported development of the WHFA has been through an industry-facilitated process. It has involved consultation between two standing industry organisations. Thus, the process helped to establish a single and untied peak industry organisation. The WHFA has appointed the inaugural independent Chair in April 2024. Therefore the new peak organisation is now operational with a constitution in place. Thus far, the WHFA is in the process of appointing a Chief Executive Officer.
Therefore, discussions and meetings with the stakeholders at the industry level have been ongoing. It has been going on throughout this year to bring together commercial fishers from the two different industry bodies. They are to adopt a constitution and work out how WHFA can help the industry.
Fishers’ association
The new association welcomes the NSW Government funding towards the establishment of a peak fishing industry body. It is believed to be crucial for the new organisation. According to the association, it will be very helpful for three years. The new board is very grateful to the Minister of Agriculture for honouring the election commitment. The board is looking forward to working closely with the Minister and the Department of Agriculture for a positive outcome for NSW.
