The Queensland Seafood Industry Association is asking for up to $3.5 million to compensate about 40 commercial fishermen affected by new fishing restrictions.
President John Olsen met Primary Industries Minister Henry Palaszczuk yesterday to push the case for compensation.
The new restrictions include an extension of weekend netting bans on the Fitzroy River.
Mr Olsen says about 40 fishermen in Queensland will be forced out of the industry.
"These people just simply can't go anywhere, they are in a particular zone," he said.
"What they're going to do is have increased fishing effort in a decreased fishing area.
"We're going to increase the risk of conflict not only with recreational fishers, but within the commercial fishery itself, we're increasing the risk of over-fishing the remaining fishing area, there's a compelling case to do this."
However, Mr Palaszczuk says he told the commercial fishermen the regulations will take effect from next month.
"Obviously they're here fighting for their members, but at the end of the day I had to tell them that the decision of the Government...[is] final," he said.
"The closures are taking effect and once again I've outlined to them the results of the decision."
Posted: Fri, 22 Aug 2003 9:52 AEST
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