Easter Fish Prices Soar, Imports Rise

0:00It's April 2nd. This is Sydney News Today, driven by AI. Fish prices are skyrocketing this Easter, hitting families hard who want their traditional fish and chips on Good Friday. Local fresh catches have more than doubled in cost, because news state fishing laws slashed to Merceau quotas, cutting halls and half across key regions. And closing commercial ops along a 700 km west coast stretch. Retailers are scrambling for the first time under these tough rules, turning to imports from places like South Africa and New Zealand to meet holiday demand. In spots like Albany, shop owners report steady supply, but way higher tags on local stuff, like nanny guy jumping from $28 to $35 a portion. Up north in Geraldton, fresh local fish has dried up compared to last year when they processed tons of pink snapper right off shore. Now they're pulling from Pillbar and Carnarbon, even sharks gone from $20 a kilo to over 40, and customers are grabbing smaller amounts to save cash.

1:01Fissures and processors are feeling the squeeze too, with fuel hikes piling on logistics costs and businesses barely breaking even. Down south, there's limbo over a proposed 50% cut to commercial catches, which locals say would crush restaurants and chip shops without. Good reason. As Easter hits, shoppers face tough choices between pricey local support or budget imports, but with talk set for mid-Abral, the pressure on supply, lines isn't easing anytime soon.