NSW shadow minister for primary industries, lands and Western NSW, Mick Veitch, visited local farmers and commercial fisherman alongside federal Member for Eden-Monaro Mike Kelly last week.
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Hot on the agenda were statewide reforms to the commercial fishing industry, measures designed to help fishermen either exit or grow their businesses.
Mr Veitch said he is concerned of the $16million set aside to buy unwanted or dormant shares (fishing licences) in the sector, $2million will come from the industry itself.
He has concerns small to medium sized businesses will inevitably be pushed out of business.
“They have to decide whether to stay in the industry by investing in more shares or leave,” Mr Veitch said.
“The ones who want to stay in the industry will have to get into more debt to buy the shares, to continue what they are doing.
“I do feel for the commercial fishermen, they work hard and the government should take that into account.
“The implementation of reforms aren’t going to work and someone has to be accountable,” he said.