Australian Tuna fishermen say they have been warning authorities for years about the problems facing the industry.
The East Coast Tuna Boat Owners Association recently met with the Federal Fisheries Minister Senator Ian McDonald to ask for an industry rescue package.
Chairman Ian Skadanis says fishermen are struggling because of poor overseas markets, excessive permit fees, a strong Australian dollar, and increased fuel prices.
“We have been saying to the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and other departments that the way things are going is going to make the fishery very, very difficult to sustain, however I don't know how well they were listening to us,†he said.