In an emotional triumph for the local commercial fishing industry, six restricted licenses have been granted to commercial operators residing in the Burdekin to allow the use of nets to catch barramundi.
The announcement of the new licenses came after primary commercial fishing licences no longer authorised commercial net fishing activities in Queensland from January 1, 2024, in State and Federal Government efforts to phase out gillnet fishing on the Great Barrier Reef by 2027.
Alva fisher Neil Green was granted one of these licenses two days into barramundi season after he and his daughter, Sienna, campaigned passionately against the gillnet ban for the last eight months.
“We just devoted our time to it because we knew it was worth fighting for,” Neil said.
“To get that phone call at the end to say, ‘You’ve been granted a license,’ it was just tears all around.”
Cover Caption: Neil Green, Dale Vener, Sienna and Leanne Green and their fishing dog Bozo. Photo supplied
In June 2023, The Australian and Queensland governments announced plans to phase out gillnet fishing in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area by mid-2027 to better protect threatened and endangered species.
With the ban threatening the livelihoods of commercial fishing operators and related suppliers and industries, father-daughter fishing duo Neil and Sienna Green embarked on an eight-month journey of campaigning which saw them present to the Future Fishing Taskforce in Brisbane, meet with politicians, organise protests and appear on countless media channels to spread the message.
As of January 1, their N2 primary commercial fishing licence no longer authorised commercial net fishing activities.
However, in December last year, a new NX license was announced, which allows the use of gillnets to catch barramundi under strict conditions.
Neil and Sienna’s partner Dale were both issued licences on February 3 which are to expire in mid-2027, but the Greens consider this the consultation period the fishing industry never got.
“We fought so much for the last eight months,” Sienna said.
“Because it was rushed, there are quite a few teething issues, but it’s better than nothing and we’re so prepared to work through it.
“We’ve got to this stage, and I truly believe that we’ll be able to keep fighting and try to get it right.”
Only 40 NX licenses are available, with over half already being issued to Queensland fishing operators who met a series of strict criteria.
The NX license allows the use of nets under strict conditions, including the use of cameras on the boat at all times, observers being present on the boat at certain times, and the closure of fishing areas including Bowling Green Bay and Upstart Bay.
“They’re looking at what we catch,” Neil said.
“We’ve always claimed we’re not having interactions with dugongs and sawsharks to the extent that they’re saying we have.
“I think it’s a positive to have the camera, because it’s going to demonstrate what we don’t catch and that’s what the ‘green’ groups are lobbying on.”
Neil and Sienna intend to use this period to trial new, sustainable means of fishing, although they believe gillnets are the safest and most effective way to make a living as commercial fishers, disputing claims that their nets interact with endangered and threatened species.
“I think we’ve got the right apparatus to catch barra, being a gillnet, particularly in our creeks and rivers, and we need to prove that,” Neil said.
“I’m all for trialling new apparatus, but we’re going to have interactions with those endangered species.
“If there’s something better, then we’ll look at it.”
With a state election around the corner, Neil and Sienna will continue the campaign and meet with all sides of government as well as other primary industry bodies.
Neil and Sienna also thanked the community for their support, driving them to continue the fight to offer fresh, locally caught seafood.
“(The community is) obviously who we go out and fish on behalf of, and it’s just been so heartwarming and overwhelming to have that much support out there,” Sienna said.
“If we didn’t have them behind us, we wouldn’t be at this stage.”
Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox was one MP who supported Neil and Sienna’s campaign heavily and said the interim NX licenses is a small, temporary win for those in our region.
“The availability of these licenses means that we can keep these hardworking professionals in the industry until we can change this decision or change the current government, because if these operators decide to sell all their gear and move on to something else, it will be exceptionally hard to rebuild this industry in Australia,” he said.
“I am disappointed in the way that this decision has been handed down, the lack of industry consultation, and the lack of communication from these decision makers who are destroying so many livelihoods and running people out of business.
“While the temporary licenses will keep these businesses operating, there is still a long way to go.”
Caption 1: Neil and Sienna Green have started barra season on the water after being granted restricted licenses to continue to use gillnets. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie
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