Fishers seek more than fee relief

Southern Fisherman's Association secretary Tracy Hill said the fee reduction, while helpful, did not generate income lost as a result of increasing numbers of long-nosed fur seals in the catchment.

"It was nice and welcome, and we do appreciate it," she said.

"But it hasn't changed the fact seals are out there ripping fish out of nets."

Members of the Coorong and Lower Lakes commercial fishing community, including fishers, their families and employees, held a 'crisis meeting' last night, along with representatives of the Coorong Council, local MP Adrian Pederick, and representatives from the local health service and Rural Business Support.

RBS, which incorporates Rural Financial Counselling Service, has offered to assist fishers with free financial information and business support.

Mrs Hill said the extension of the season for hauling nets, and permitting the use of drum nets, may provide some help to fishers - not all.

About $260,000 in funding has been secured from the state government and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation to trial alternative fishing gear and seal deterrents, expected to start in November.

"It's just dragging out and taking time, time we haven't got," Mrs Hill said.

She said there was also talk about the use of pyrotechnics or underwater crackers to scare seals but approvals and training were not in place.

Mrs Hill said the business she ran with her husband generated the same expenses while the income was cut to almost one-third.

Fisheries Minister Leon Bignell said the temporary fee relief for the 36 license holders in September was to protect the fisheries which contributed $7.9 million to the state's economy.

"I have been told one license holder had losses of $76,000 over a five-month period and the industry has estimated the seals are costing the fishery an annual wharf value loss of $2m," he said.

Mr Bignell said the state government, and a working group, wanted to identify and implement appropriate short-term and long-term strategies but while these were being investigated, the waiving of the 2015-16 licence fees would help.

Mr Pederick, Hammond MP and opposition spokesperson on fisheries, said the fee relief was a good start but more active seal management was needed.

"The fee help means the government acknowledges a problem but they haven't done anything about it," he said.

He said the situation was "very close to tipping point".

"People are saying to me 'if it goes on another 12 to 18 months, what are we going to do?," Mr Pederick said.

"There is a real air of desperation out there."

Mr Pederick has previously called on the government to instigate a management plan, including moving a motion for a "sustainable harvest" in Parliament in July.