Overwheling responce to fishing assistance programmes

[Shane Boese]

- MEDIA RELEASE -
SENATOR THE HON. ERIC ABETZ

Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation
Manager of Government Business in the Senate

DAFF07/064A 13 June 2007
Overwhelming response to fishing assistance programmes
There has been an overwhelming response to the second round call for plications for Onshore Business Assistance and Fishing Community Assistance provided under the Australian Government’s $220 million Securing our Fishing Future package.
Minister for Fisheries and Conservation, Senator Eric Abetz, said today the over 200 applications which have been received from around Australia for the programmes far-outstripped the total amount of funding available.
“Twenty-three million dollars was set aside for Onshore Business Assistance to help secure the fishing industry by assisting dependent businesses adjust to reductions in Commonwealth fishing activity,” Senator Abetz said.
“A total of $20m has been made available under the Fishing Community Assistance programme to create new economic and employment opportunities in communities impacted by the reductions in fishing.
The total amount being requested in all applications is almost $85m.
“With such a large number of applications and a limited pool of funding, there are inevitably going to be some projects that miss out,” Senator Abetz said.
“The good news is that the large number of applications does mean that projects to be funded will be of the highest quality and deliver maximum value to both local communities and the taxpayer.”
In 2005, the Australian Government announced the $220m Securing our Fishing Future package – the largest structural adjustment ever offered to the Australian fishing industry – to better position the Commonwealth fishing industry for a sustainable and profitable future.
The Government has already spent $149 million removing 550 fishing concessions from Commonwealth-managed fisheries. Almost $6 million was committed in April in the first round of grants for onshore businesses and fishing communities.
Applications for assistance are now being carefully reviewed and an announcement can be expected in late August.
Media enquiries: Brad Stansfield 0419 884 666

[nigelr]

Thanks for posting this very interesting Media Release, Shane.
Hopefully we may see the buy-out of some Ocean and Estuary Haul Net operators!
Cheers.