The Minister for Agriculture has commissioned an independent assessment of the social and economic impacts of the Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) new Business Adjustment Program (BAP) for the fisheries industry.
Minister for Agriculture, Adam Marshall said the BAP was designed to provide fishers with greater certainty and ensure the long term viability of the NSW commercial fishing industry.
He said Professor Kate Barclay of the Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney, had been appointed to lead the project.
“Professor Barclay has a long history in researching social aspects of fisheries and is well placed to undertake the assessment,” Mr Marshall said.
“This work will include consultation with fishers and will use an expert team to refine and deliver a survey suitable for monitoring social and economic impacts on an ongoing basis,” he said.
“We are committed to partnering with the industry to better understand and respond to the social and economic issues that impact fishers and I have met with industry representatives, including the Professional Fishermen’s Association, who have highlighted this work as a priority for the industry.”
Mr Marshall said Dr Barclay was expected to deliver her initial findings by the end of the year.
“These findings will help Government understand and monitor the social and economic impact of the BAP,” he said.
