Spanish mackerel fishery changes force anglers to leave livelihoods with no compensation
For decades, Lisa Putzka’s life was governed by wind and tides. Mrs. Putzka and her husband Walter made their living catching Spanish mackerel off the North Queensland coast. But everything changed in 2022 when Mr. Putzka was diagnosed with brain cancer and given less than two years to live. At the same time, a major shake-up of the east coast Spanish mackerel fishery was announced, sending shockwaves through the fishing community. From July, the entire commercial catch quota was slashed from 578 to 165 tonnes, a reduction of more than 71 per cent. Among them is 67-year-old Trevor Purkis, who had planned to fish his way into retirement onboard his beloved Trevanna. Instead, he is preparing to sell his boat at a loss and leave the industry. “It’s going to break my heart,” Mr Purkis said. “Forty-three years I’ve been going to sea on this boat.” Photos, >click to read< – 20:49
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