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Fishing industry snares a big catch
September 26, 2007
Four of the Sunshine Coast’s biggest fishing industry ventures have landed
a total of $1.7 million in grants to allow them to build new retail
premises, install new plant and equipment and launch new value-added
seafood products for the domestic and international markets.
The tuna and billfish sector has battled turbulent waters in the past few
years. The number of licences operating out of Mooloolaba has reduced from
about 60 to just more than 30 through government buybacks, operators
taking advantage of the chance to exit the industry which has suffered
from soaring fuel and bait costs, as well as a reduced catch.
Warana-based Coral Sea Fishing (CSF), part of the Atlantis Group after the
global conglomerate acquired a majority shareholding earlier this year,
has been granted $500,000 to help launch its seafood kebabs onto the world
market.
Director and general manager Sean Cauchois said CSF already supplied
Woolworths and a number of independent food services groups nationally
with a range of fresh and frozen seafood products, including tuna,
swordfish, albacore and marlin caught by boats operating out of
Mooloolaba.
Mr Cauchois said the funding, provided under the federal government’s $220
million Securing Our Fishing Future package, offered significant hope for
the Coast’s fishing industry.
“We’re a small company about to go big. We’ve already introduced the
kebabs at the Boston Seafood Show and in Brussels and the feedback has
been excellent,” he said.
“I’d like to see the product rolled out across Australia and around the
world. It would mean more employment on the Coast and a consistent return
for our fishermen.
Mooloolah River Fisheries has been allocated $450,000 to broaden its
retail and processing functions, including extending the range of seafood
available and building a new premises.
Four Seas, which operates five tuna and billfish boats out of Mooloolaba
and exports two-thirds of its catch to canneries in Asia and the South
Pacific, has been granted $500,000 to progress plans to value add to its
range of tuna products.
Managing director Brett Taylor said possibilities included producing
straight tuna steaks and braised tuna steaks in olive oil.
And De Bretts Seafood, which runs a diversified operation at Mooloolaba,
including a processing facility, marina, fuel supply business and the
Fisheries On The Spit retail outlet, will receive $250,000.
Managing director Gary Heilman said the company had applied for $700,000
to install new plant and equipment and also to add another storey to
Fisheries On The Spit for a restaurant or sushi bar, adding he was unsure
what the approved amount would allow.
“I’m happy with the funding, but I’m not sure yet whether it’s tied to a
particular section of our application or whether it’s up to us to
prioritise what we do with it,” he said.
The funding was facilitated by the Area Consultative Committee, CEO Robert
Dunbar saying the $1.7 million would “definitely provide a shot in the
arm” for the industry locally.
“When you consider operators throughout Queensland received $6.3 million,
to get $1.7 million means a large slice of the pie is coming to this
region,’ he said. |
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