Newly elected Member for Clarence Richie Williamson has called on both the state and federal governments to step up and financially support the struggling Clarence River prawning industry.

Mr Williamsons impassioned plea via a private members bill in NSW Parliament last week is a month after he joined forces with Federal National’s Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, to financially assist the industry where about 50 locals haven’t received an income for 18 weeks.

A biosecurity control order was imposed restricting the movement of raw prawns from Clarence estuary after White Spot virus was found at a second Palmers Island prawn farm on February 12.

The first detection of White Spot in NSW, which is fatal to crustaceans but not humans, was found at a Palmers Island prawn farm in August 2022, followed by a third detection on April 21.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries DPI have been conducting containment and eradication activities at the prawn farms and thousands of tests in the Clarence River in an attempt to detect White Spot, which is believed to have been brought in by imported uncooked prawns.

In his private members bill, Mr Williamson said the local prawn industry was under great stress through no fault of its own.

“For the life of me, I cannot understand why any government would let uncooked green prawns into this country,” he said.

Despite the ravages of fires, floods, disease, and biosecurity control orders, Mr Williamson said the Clarence River Fishermen’s Co Operative had not been eligible for any grants.

“The industry is in crisis and needs the full support of the New South Wales State Government and the Albanese Federal Government combined.”

Mr Williamson said the first step should be to offer relief by way of a waiver on Crown lease fees, a policy lever that has been used previously.

“There are lives well and truly at stake,” he said.

“This is a matter of urgency.”

Clarence River Fishermen’s Co-Operative CEO Danielle Adams told the CV Independent about 50 fishermen haven’t received an income for 18 weeks since the control order was implemented.

“All that they have been offered is a 62 per-cent reduction in their annual fees,” she said.

“This is despite more than 3000 tests being done in the river for White Spot, none of which have been positive.”

A NSW DPI spokesperson said the control order preventing the harvesting of green prawns from the Clarence Estuary was currently being reviewed and consultation with key stakeholders was part of that review.

The spokesperson wouldn’t confirm a two-year control order will be imposed on the estuary.

“As part of international requirements, a period of surveillance will need to be undertaken to show absence of disease in order to lift the zone in the future,” the spokesperson said.

“Timeframes and details are being confirmed nationally and will be considered in any changes to the control order.   

“NSW DPI has appointed a Recovery Coordinator to work with industries to explore short, medium and longer-term options to assist in their recovery.

“A recovery plan is being developed, which will include consideration for businesses affected by White Spot.

“This pathway back to business will need to be supported by industry, all other state, territory governments and the Australian Government.”

This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 24 May 2023.

Related stories: Third White Spot detection as fishermen face a 2-year control order; Class action planned over White Spot; White spot order crippling Clarence fishermen