A Majority Labor Government will back Tasmania's seafood sector to ensure it emerges stronger from recent challenges and grows to embrace future opportunities.
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Water Shane Broad said Labor's policies will breathe new life into the sector and support its expansion into new markets, while growing jobs and continuing its vital contribution to the state's economy.
"Tasmania's seafood sector is one of our greatest success stories of recent decades, and it supports thousands of Tasmanian jobs," Dr Broad said.
"But as the sector navigates the challenges of the past 18 months, including lockdowns and trade tensions with China, we need to seize the new opportunities before us to emerge stronger.
"Labor will invest $4 million to establish a Seafood Industry Taskforce that will work with the sector to develop a 10-year industry plan to address current market disruption and uncertainty, develop strategies to support the industry's expansion into new markets, improve skills training within the industry and support emerging marine industries.
"With research and development an essential part of the sector's success, Labor will provide $500,0000 in grants for IMAS research and commercialisation projects to grow existing industries and support the emergence of new industries.
"We will also provide $350,000 in fee relief for the oyster industry, which has been particularly affected by recent market disruptions."
Dr Broad said Labor will continue to expand the tourist market, with $150,000 over three years to the Tasmanian Seafood Trails website, and they will develop Aboriginal cultural fisheries with $250,000 over the next two years.
"Labor will create a $1.5 million fund to buy back commercial net fishing licences, allowing commercial fishers to exit the industry if they wish.
"And, with consistent training essential to the success of the seafood industry, Labor will re-establish the Seafood Pledge for long-term skills funding.
"A Majority Labor Government will work for Tasmanians to give our seafood sector the future it deserves."
Shane Broad MP
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Water
