Labor’s plan for sustainable
fisheries
Senator Kerry O’Brien
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Forestry
ELECTION 2007
Overview
The Howard Government has the worst fisheries management record of any government inAustralian history, with the number of fisheries classified as ‘overfished’ increasing from four in 1996 to 24 in 2005.
As a result of this decline, the Government was forced to spend $220 million over two years restructuring Commonwealth-managed fisheries to buy back licences to address unsustainable harvesting levels.
Even today, 19 species are classified as ‘overfished’ – and it will not be known for years whether the Government’s fishing licence buyback has had a positive effect on our fish stocks.

On the Howard Government’s watch, Australia’s fisheries have suffered from:
An escalation of overfishing.
Rising unemployment and job losses in the fishing industry.
Declining gross value production and profitability.
Rising imports and declining exports.
Inadequate planning for climate change.

Rising fuel prices, declining real fish prices, poor water quality and loss of habitat have also had a major impact on the productivity and profitability of our fisheries.

The Howard Government has not only failed to address these challenges to our $2 billion fishing industry – it has also failed to help the industry prepare for the future.
In contrast to the Howard Government’s decade of inaction, a Rudd Labor Government will invest in a comprehensive plan for sustainable fisheries.


Labor’s Plan for Sustainable Fisheries will assist Australia’s seafood producers to return to profitability, improve recreational fishing opportunities and ensure the long-term sustainable management of our marine and freshwater fisheries resources.
Labor’s Plan for Sustainable Fisheries will also strengthen the economic independence of Torres Strait Islander communities, and fast track the implementation of a Climate Change and Fisheries Action Plan.
Under Labor’s Plan for Sustainable Fisheries, a Rudd Labor Government will reprioritise government spending to invest:

$2 million to develop a new Recreational Fishing Industry Development Strategy.


$4.3 million in an expanded Fisheries Research Program.
$5 million in a new Promoting Australian Produce initiative.
$10 million in a new Seafood Industry Productivity and Innovation Program.
$7.5 million in a Torres Strait Commercial Line Fishery Reallocation initiative.

A Rudd Labor Government will invest in a comprehensive fisheries plan to ensure the long-term sustainable management of our marine and freshwater fisheries.