Following the announcement of a mandatory buy-back of West Coast demersal and shark fishing licenses, the Fisheries Minister has released its Act of Grace payments to provide immediate relief for fishers impacted by the demersal fisheries closures and reductions.
The payments have been taken up by some fishers who are seeking an exit from the industry, as well as those who were caught financially stretched with the industry being closed on three weeks notice.
Unfortunately, the ‘Act of Grace’ payments are not provided as financial support but are offered to impacted licence holders as a prepayment to be deducted against any final buy-back payment.
WAFIC contends the funds should be provided as an emergency relief payment to support fishers in the wake of the sudden closure.