Fishers will have the option to grow their business through a range of supportive assistance measures and tools including low interest rate loans of up to $80,000 and grants to seek independent financial advice.
Minister for Primary Industries, Lands and Water Niall Blair said up to 85 per cent of the seafood consumed in NSW is imported and the new reforms will ensure that seafood caught in NSW is valued over imported products.
“The $90 million fishing industry is hugely important in NSW and to so many of our coastal communities – that’s why we want to make sure we have a strong, sustainable industry for years to come,” Mr Blair said.
To further support and promote the industry, the government has also proposed a new labelling scheme that allows consumers to read on the menu where the seafood they order comes from.
Currently, restaurants, cafes and outlets selling seafood for immediate consumption are exempt from labelling the country of origin of their seafood, meaning customers aren't informed about where their meal is sourced from.
The government will work closely with the fishing and catering industries and retailers on how an origin labelling scheme could operate in NSW.
$400,000 will be invested as part of a campaign to promote the state’s $90 million seafood industry to consumers and communities throughout NSW.
Find out more on the NSW Commercial Fisheries Business Adjustment Program.
