Clarence River prawn fishers to receive $21 million in white spot recovery assistance

The New South Wales Government has confirmed the establishment of a $21.4 million plan for the response to and recovery from white spot, which has devastated prawn fishing and farming along the Clarence River on the North Coast.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said the funding is for both the ongoing biosecurity response to White Spot and a targeted assistance package for industry.

Minister Moriarty said biosecurity and fisheries experts from NSW Department of Primary Industry (DPI) have managed to contain the spread of the virus and are now working to support industry in maintaining and implementing biosecurity measures that will minimise potential future introduction of white spot.

The recovery package includes:

• $5.4 million to help secure the future for Clarence River prawn fishers
• $1.5 million to help prawn farmers upgrade their operations to better protect the environment
• $309,000 rent fee waiver for the Clarence River Fisherman’s Cooperative
• $82, 000 rent fee waiver for mooring fees for the Clarence River prawn trawlers
• $165,000 in waivers for all DPI Administration fees for affected prawn fishers and farmers
• $700,000 to waive interest payments for Seafood Innovation Fund Loans
• $1 million in surveillance and diagnostic activities
• $105,000 for the mental health ‘Stay Afloat’ program

NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Sarah Britton assured that white spot poses no threat to human health and NSW prawns remain safe for human consumption.