Commercial fishers across South Australia have less than a week to voluntarily surrender their licence as part of the Marshall Liberal Government's $24.5 million reform of the Marines Scalefish Fishery.
Almost 90 fishers have applied to surrender their licences since the voluntary licence surrender program was opened in May.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said applications for the program close at 5pm on Friday 13 November.
"As of Monday, 88 fishers have applied to surrender their licence and with the deadline fast approaching if you are considering exiting the industry now is the time to do so," Minister Basham said.
"We have budgeted for up to 150 voluntary licence surrenders as part of our $24.5 million reform of the Marine Scalefish Fishery.
"Last month we released more information on the reform process to help fishers make the decision to exit the fishery or stay and invest into the future.
"This will be the only licence surrender process, so for those still considering their future in the fishery time is of the essence if you are considering taking advantage of this offer.
"The voluntary licence surrender program is the first step in our vitally important reform process to improve the profitability of seafood businesses and the long-term sustainability of fish stocks in South Australia.
"We believe these reform measures will unlock the fishery's potential, enable the development of flourishing and profitable seafood businesses and ensure we have sustainable fish stocks into the future, underpinning the future of our commercial fishing sector for decades to come."
Minister Basham, who recently announced an exceptional circumstances process for the allocation of individual quotas, urged fishers considering their future to apply for both.
"If you are an MSF licence holder and you are relying on the outcome of the exceptional circumstances process to decide whether you will exit or remain in the fishery, you should apply for both the exceptional circumstances process and the Voluntary Licence Surrender Program," Minister Basham said.
"If a fisher applies for both, they will have three weeks from when they are informed about the outcome of their exceptional circumstances application to decide to exit the fishery.
"It is anticipated that it may take up to two months for all applicants to receive the decision on the outcome of their exceptional circumstances application."
For more information on the reform process visit https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/msf-reform
