By Nakita Jager

ABC North Coast

Topic: Fishing and Aquaculture Industry

Monday, 20 July 2026, 2:01 pm

The Clarence River Fishermen's Co-Operative will sell its Maclean outlet in August.

In short:

The co-operative is selling its Maclean outlet after operating since 1949.

The decision is due to restrictions from white spot disease, which limits raw prawn sales.

What's next?

The business will move produce to its Iluka store.

White spot disease restrictions led to the sale of a historic seafood outlet in NSW.

The co-operative has operated in Maclean since 1949.

The co-op is the largest supplier of fresh wild-caught prawns, but white spot disease has affected the fishery since 2023.

The detection of white spot disease shut down the green school prawn industry, which generated 40% of the co-op's revenue.

The co-op's chair, Garry Anderson, said white spot disease has hurt the business.

All damage to supply and markets was done since 2023.

The NSW government announced a $4.5 million financial transition package in December 2025.

The package allowed fishermen to exit the industry with funding for business buyouts.

White spot disease has cost the co-op about $2.5 million a year.

The co-op has no choice but to sell the Maclean site to get through the tough period.

White spot disease is deadly to prawns in aquaculture ponds.

What is white spot disease?

White spot disease leads to 100% mortality in prawns but does not affect humans.

The first Biosecurity Control Order was put in place in February 2023.

A five-year Biosecurity Control Order was put in place on December 9, 2025.

The order restricts the movement of uncooked prawns, crustaceans, and marine worms.

'All too hard'

Steve Everson says the move to Iluka will pressure local fishermen.

The closure of the Maclean site will impact local suppliers.

It makes things harder for fishermen.

Estuary fishermen need to weigh in closer to where they catch their products.

The move to Iluka means an extra hour of travel.

Moving products a distance becomes more technical and puts pressure on everything.

MP Richie Williamson said the closure was avoidable.

The government turned its back on the industry, and the co-op pays the price.

NSW government committed to supporting fishers

The government is committed to supporting commercial fishers in the region.

The government will work closely with the industry to provide advice and support.

The co-operative will continue to operate out of Iluka.

The co-op must stay positive and rebuild to service the current fleet.

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