Rising fuel costs are casting a shadow over Australia’s seafood industry, threatening supply and potentially impacting prices as Easter approaches. The squeeze is being felt acutely by fishermen, who are facing both escalating expenses and uncertainty around fuel availability. From New South Wales to Victoria, concerns are mounting that the situation could bring commercial fishing to a standstill.
The challenges are particularly acute for smaller operators and co-ops. Suzie McEnallay, general manager of the Wallis Lake Fishermen’s Co-Op in Tuncurry, New South Wales, has been forced to temporarily halt fuel supply to the general boating public due to concerns about securing enough diesel for her members. “Everyday it’s just a worry, we don’t realize where our fuel supply is coming from,” McEnallay said, highlighting the precariousness of the situation.
The price increases are substantial. McEnallay reported that fuel costs have jumped 65 percent overnight, from around $1.60 to $1.70 per litre before the recent global events, to $2.80 for both diesel and unleaded. This dramatic increase is forcing fishermen to make difficult choices about when and where they fish, impacting their livelihoods and potentially reducing the catch available to consumers.
Fuel Rationing and Supply Concerns
To manage the limited supply, the Wallis Lake Fishermen’s Co-Op has implemented rationing, limiting fishermen to 500 litres of fuel per day. This restriction is forcing them to carefully consider the distance they travel and the days they venture out to sea. “This has been a huge impact for them, they have to really think about the days that they’re picking to go to work, the distance they travel, it’s just been a real drama,” McEnallay explained. The co-op is prioritizing its working fishing boats, and has had to refuse fuel to travelling tuna boats that typically travel the coast from Queensland.
The situation isn’t simply about price; it’s about access. McEnallay stated that fuel companies are facing supply pressures, making it difficult to predict when deliveries will arrive. “We’ve literally been told ‘you just need to protect your stock at all costs’, so our fuel tank is just for our working fishing boats,” she said. She added that fishermen without a local co-op are particularly vulnerable, relying on fuel trucks with no guarantee of supply. “I can’t even ring and say ‘appear, I’ve got some tuna boats coming in two weeks’ time, can I pre-book some fuel?’ giving notice, it’s just a no. They just can’t be guaranteed they’re going to get that supply.”
Victoria Seeks Government Intervention
The impact of rising fuel costs extends beyond New South Wales. In Victoria, the fishing industry is actively lobbying the state government for a fuel subsidy to help keep businesses afloat. The concern is that without assistance, many fishermen may be forced to dock their vessels, potentially halting commercial fishing operations ahead of the Easter holiday.
McEnallay emphasized that fishermen typically have little control over pricing. “Fisherman are renowned for being price takers, they just get dealt the price that they return in the general market,” she said. While other industries may be able to pass increased fuel costs onto consumers, fishermen often cannot, meaning price increases are more likely to be seen at the wholesale and retail levels. The co-op is absorbing some of the cost, adding a 10-cent-per-litre surcharge, but McEnallay acknowledged that this barely covers expenses.
Impact on Easter Supply and Beyond
The current crisis in fuel supply and pricing is creating significant uncertainty for the Australian seafood industry. The rising cost of fuel is impacting the entire supply chain, from catching the fish to delivering it to market. The situation is particularly concerning as Easter approaches, a traditionally busy period for seafood sales. The long-term effects of sustained high fuel costs remain to be seen, but industry representatives fear it could lead to reduced catches, increased prices for consumers, and potential job losses within the sector. The future of sustainable Australian fishing, as exemplified by the work of Master Fisherman Shane at the Wallis Lake Fishermen’s Co-op, is increasingly tied to finding solutions to this growing challenge.
The Victorian government is currently considering the fishing industry’s request for a fuel subsidy. A decision is expected in the coming weeks, and will likely set a precedent for how other states respond to the escalating crisis.
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