NORTH COAST PRAWN INDUSTRY REELING AFTER WHITE SPOT DETECTION IN CLARENCE, EVANS AND RICHMOND RIVERS
- Apr 8
- 3 min read
The positive detection of White Spot in wild‐caught school prawns sampled from the offshore ocean waters off the Clarence, Evans, and Richmond Rivers is a major blow to the prawn industry, with serious implications for local families, fishers, and small businesses, according to Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson.
Mr Williamson expressed grave concern over the news, noting that the industry—still in the process of recovering from two challenging years under stringent biosecurity measures—is now facing even greater uncertainty due to this new detection.
“This is devastating for the fishing industry in the Clarence, which has been under a two‑year biosecurity order preventing the sale of uncooked (green) school prawns that was due to end on 9 June 2025,” he said.
“At a time when the industry was preparing to restart after two incredibly tough years, this news is a heavy and heartbreaking setback.”
He also noted that the situation is equally uncertain for the industry in the Richmond Valley, which has been under a two‑year biosecurity control order since White Spot was detected in the Richmond and Evans Rivers last year.
Mr Williamson highlighted that the latest positive results have been recorded from prawns in ocean waters, with no positive detections in any samples taken from within the three estuary systems.
“Until these tests for White Spot this week, the Clarence River had been considered free of the disease, as confirmed by regular ‘Proof of Freedom’ testing. However, these recent positive detections from oceanic areas – outside the estuary – raise new concerns about the potential spread of the disease,” he said.
Mr Williamson is calling on the NSW Government to act and provide clear direction to the industry regarding the implications of this new positive test and what it could mean for the future of the green prawn industry on the North Coast.
“Local fishers need clear direction from the State Government. What happens next? Will the control order be extended? What does this mean for those who have invested and waited patiently to resume their businesses? Local fishers need some certainty moving forward and can’t continue to be forced on their knees every time there is a detection. The genie is out of the bottle—how do we manage that? There needs to be a clear management plan moving forward if there is any chance of their survival,” Mr Williamson said.
He also criticised ongoing Federal biosecurity policy. “I’m outraged that the Federal Government continues to allow uncooked green prawns from countries where White Spot is prevalent to enter Australia, while our local industry is effectively shut down. This is madness, and the local prawning fleet is paying the price.”
Mr Williamson attended a meeting this morning (Tuesday) at the Maclean Showground with around 25 local fishers and representatives from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. A further meeting was held at Ballina this afternoon.
It is important to note that White Spot poses no threat to human health, and NSW prawns remain safe to eat. Local seafood suppliers continue to stock NSW prawns that meet food safety standards.
ENDS
Glen Dawson, Chairman of Clarence River Prawn Committee - Video and Audio Grab
Richie Williamson, Member for Clarence - Video and Audio Grab
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