SYDNEY DAILY TELEGRAPH
May 05, 2006
THIRTY-one of Sydney Harbour’s 44 commercial fishing operators have accepted a New South Wales Government offer to buy out their licences.
Commercial fishing was banned in the Harbour in January after high dioxin levels were detected in marine life.
Fishing operators were given until today to sign on for part of a $5.8 million compensation package in exchange for surrendering their licences.
A spokesman for Natural Resources and Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald today said it was possible some of the remaining 13 licensees would continue fishing on the Hawkesbury River.
The operators who surrendered their licences received payouts linked to their catch histories.
Mr Macdonald said the highest payout was $340,000.
“I’m pleased that more than 30 of Sydney Harbour’s fishers have accepted the Government’s offer to buy out their licences,” he said.
“Sadly, and through no fault of their own, they have been caught up in a problem caused by 100 years of industrial pollution by multinational companies like Union Carbide.”


Twilight for another habitat

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