The Australian government has set aside AUD 10 million (USD 6.9 million, EUR 6.1 million) to provide levies to commercial fishers across the country that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Announced in a media release by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), the levies are intended to cushion the blow of the pandemic – which has hit fishers via both the the stoppage of access to international markets as well as the closure of many restaurants that typically purchase products.
“I’m pleased to announce that AFMA has now put around AUD 2.5 million [USD 1.7 million, EUR1.5 million] back into the pockets of those fishers who had already paid levies, and waived a further AUD 7.9 million, [USD 5.5 million EUR 4.8 million] in outstanding levies,” Assistant Minister Jonathon Duniam said in the media release. “This put millions of dollars back into the hands of Commonwealth fishers in every state and territory across the country at a time when they were up against the wall.”
The levy relief will cover around 300 Commonwealth fishing vessels that directly employ around 1,500 fishers, and secures the supply of seafood required by local processing facilities that directly employ around 500 people.
“Every year, our Commonwealth fisheries industry contributes around AUD 632 million [USD 440 million, EUR 389 million] to the Australian economy, supporting jobs especially in our regional communities.” Duniam said. “The levy relief is in addition to our AUD 350 million [USD 244 million, EUR 215 million] International Freight Assistance Mechanism that’s ensuring our seafood gets to key markets and AUD 4 million [USD 2.8 million, EUR 2.5 million] for an industry-led marketing campaign to encourage Australians to eat more Australian seafood.”
Commonwealth Fisheries Association Chair George Kailis thanked the government for providing relief during “a difficult time for the seafood industry in Australia.”
“The levy relief provided much-appreciated breathing room so we could assess and then mitigate the long-term impacts the pandemic will have on our businesses,” Kailis said. “As we move forward, one of the simplest ways consumers can support the Australian seafood industry is to buy local, freshly caught and sustainable seafood.”
Earlier this year Seafood Industry Australia (SIA) sought government assistance to help it through the crisis resulting from the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19. SIA CEO Jane Lovell said the government help would keep the industry afloat .which can be in the form of the waiver of fees and charges’ on the agriculture and seafood industry.
As requested, the levy would cover the remainder of 2020.
Photo courtesy of ChamelonsEye/Shutterstock
