<div>Hi, David here.. I am the CEO of the Queensland Seafood Industry Association Inc and we represent Wild Harvest Commercial Fishers in Queensland.
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<div>In early June 2023, the Federal and State Governments released a statement, advising that 100 net fishermen will be out of business by 31 December 2023. That's right - they were told that they would be out of business by the end of this year. It is even earlier when you consider that the annual Barramundi season closes on 31 October.
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<div>These and other draconian changes will severely restrict consumers’ access to high-quality sustainably-harvested Queensland Local Fish. This will also have threatening impacts for associated on-shore businesses in Queensland, including Seafood Wholesalers and Retailers, Boat Builders and Outboard Dealers, Ice suppliers, and Transport companies to name a few. The small towns along the Great Barrier Reef area don’t need this burden put upon them.
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<div>Don't be fooled: these dramatic changes could be forced onto any other Primary Industry that operates within the catchment of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The Federal Government has made promises to the United Nations about controls on primary producers in Queensland. After a meeting between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Federal Government has promised to take certain actions in the Great Barrier Reef region. A UNESCO media release from 6 June 2023 says that, as well as the fishing bans, these promised actions include: “Reach water quality improvement targets by 2025, by significantly reducing pollutant discharges from farmers and industrialists, and restoring flora and fauna in drainage basins.”
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<div>For professional fishers, there was no warning. No consultation. No empathy. Under the pretext of saving the Great Barrier Reef. What’s in store for other primary producers.
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<div>To read the UNESCO media release, click here: <a href="https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/great-barrier-reef-australia-put-place-urgent-safeguarding-measures-requested-unesco" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/great-barrier-reef-australia-put-place-urgent-safeguarding-measures-requested-unesco" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/great-barrier-reef-australia-put-place-urgent-safeguarding-measures-requested-unesco</a></a>
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<div>So, QSIA needs your financial help to fight for the families and communities affected. Funds will directly aid in fighting these Government decisions and highlight the severe impacts to consumers and communities that depend on food producing Primary Industries. It will expose what the Federal Government is doing to professional fishing families and make them twice before doing something similar to farmers, graziers and other primary producers.
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<div>QSIA is in the process of hiring an independent campaign team to circulate our story in the media, something that the Governments are trying to hide.
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<div>We are also organising a protest rally to highlight the process these Governments are conducting to “save” the Great Barrier Reef by hurting primary producers.
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<div>Please share this cause around as thousands of families, businesses and consumers will be directly or indirectly affected by these planned Government changes.
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<div>Sign our E-Petition here <a href="https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/Petition-Details?id=3938" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>E - Petition</em></a>
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<div>Updated 29 June 2023
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Save Queensland Commercial Fishing

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