Fisheries assistance

Fishing Business Assistance - South-east Marine Park Network

Commercial fishers impacted by zoning changes in the 2025-35 South-east Marine Park Network Management Plan may be eligible for financial assistance.

• The Director of National Parks will deliver assistance through a demand-driven grants program.
• The grants program will be rolled out across the 2025-26 FY with eligible commercial fishing operators provided information on the grant program from mid-2025.
• The grant program will follow the same methodology as the 2019 Fishing Business Assistance Grants Program that is outlined below.
• For direct updates on the program register your interest by emailing FishingBusinessGrants@dcceew.gov.au.

Electronic and Vessel Monitoring Assistance Program

• The Electronic and Vessel Monitoring Systems Assistance Program is providing assistance to the commercial fishing industry, through their fisheries management agencies, to support the uptake of electronic and vessel monitoring technology. This program is the last component of the Fisheries Assistance and User Engagement Package.
• Enhancing the use of remote electronic and vessel monitoring systems on commercial fishing vessels transiting or operating in Australian Marine Parks will increase levels of voluntary compliance, which is cost effective in preventing inadvertent breaches, supporting sustainable fishing practices and protection and conservation of marine park values.  
• The Assistance Program is being administered through the Community Grants Hub. Successful state and Northern Territory fisheries management agencies have begun their projects which will run to June 2024. Read more information about the grant projects. 
• On 18 April 2024, the Director of National Parks announced the mandatory requirement for VMS when operating in or transiting through an Australian Marine Park. More information can be found at Mandatory Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) for commercial fishers in Australian Marine Parks.

2019 Fishing Business Assistance

The 2019 program is now closed.

• Fishing Business Assistance was paid in 2019 and provided direct assistance to affected commercial fishers with a recent history of fishing in Australian Marine Parks as they transitioned their businesses to the new operating environment.

• In August 2018, the Director of National Parks released a Position Paper that set out information on the proposed Fishing Business Assistance program.

• Following consultation with peak commercial fishing industry bodies, the Director of National Parks amended the program to more effectively meet industry needs. These changes, and responses to issues raised by industry, were set out in the Fishing Business Assistance Grants – Consultation Report.

• The Fishing Business Assistance grants program was open from 20 March to 7 May 2019. Eligibility for the program was determined in accordance with the Grant Opportunity Guidelines.