The Minns Labor Government has announced an additional $4.5 million financial assistance package to support prawn fishers and farmers in the Clarence, Evans, and Richmond Rivers affected by the detection of white spot in wild prawn populations. This package is designed to help impacted fishers exit the industry, offering funding for voluntary share and business buyouts, as well as business training for those who choose to transition out.
Over the past two years, the government has invested $21.4 million to respond to the outbreak, strengthen biosecurity measures, and provide support to affected prawn fishers. Assistance has included act-of-grace payments, share buyouts, fee and Crown Land rent waivers, and mental health support services.
White spot has now been confirmed as established in wild prawn populations within northern NSW, prompting a new biosecurity control order that extends the impacted area and will remain in place until 2030. Fishers in the control zone face restrictions on moving uncooked or unprocessed prawns outside the area, which significantly affects their operations.
Biosecurity control orders have been in effect in the Northern Rivers since 2022, but repeated positive testing in coastal waters has eliminated the possibility of lifting these restrictions. The NSW Government continues testing, supporting the industry, and engaging with the Commonwealth Government to explore potential modifications to the national biosecurity approach, though international trade considerations require the current control measures to remain.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, emphasized the government’s ongoing commitment to the industry, highlighting the $4.5 million transition package as part of broader support exceeding $21 million in recent years. She encouraged affected fishers to utilize financial, business, and mental health support services, while reassuring consumers that white spot poses no risk to human health or food safety.
