Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has written to the NSW Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty, urging immediate financial assistance for commercial fishing families impacted by an extension of the white spot biosecurity control order in the Clarence River.
The order – extended to December 9 while the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development negotiates nationally on the future management of white spot in NSW – continues to prohibit key prawning activities in the Clarence River and surrounding estuarine waters, further delaying recovery for a once-thriving local industry.
“This is now the third year of restrictions for our fishers, and while the government talks, families are going broke,” Mr Williamson said.
“The estuary has returned over 10,000 negative tests for White Spot. There is no detection in the river, yet these small businesses are still being shut down due to a detection offshore. It’s unfair, unsustainable, and deeply frustrating.”
Mr Williamson said that while he welcomed the government’s past financial assistance, an urgent extension of that support is now needed.
“I’ve formally written to the Minister calling for immediate financial assistance to be extended for a further six months,” he said.
“These are generational fishing families whose boats have sat idle for two years and now require thousands of dollars in repairs just to return to work – if and when they’re finally allowed.”
Mr Williamson reiterated his strong support for the Clarence River fishers’ call to separate estuarine and offshore zones under the biosecurity order.
“I’m backing the evidence and backing our fishers. The Clarence River remains free of White Spot, and I will continue to fight for fair, science-based policies that let people get back to work.”
He also repeated his call for stronger Federal biosecurity measures, particularly around the continued importation of uncooked prawns from countries where White Spot is endemic.
“The fact we are locking down our own local industries while still importing prawns from White Spot-positive countries is beyond belief,” Mr Williamson said.
“I’ll keep fighting for our fishers—for support, for fairness, and for a future.”
