Export Market For Eels Hard Hit
Illawarra Mercury
Thursday May 8, 2003
EEL exports from the Far South Coast are suffering because of the SARS crisis in Asia.
Wallaga Lake may be a long way from Asia, but what's happening in Hong Kong and Taiwan is affecting the income of Far South Coast commercial eel fishermen.
Eel exporter Dominic Rolfo collects eels from fishermen from Coffs Harbour to Eden. Normally he exports about two tonnes of eels a week to Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau where they're regarded as a delicacy. But he's exported only one tonne in the past four weeks.
``The whole market has come to a standstill, and it's all because of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome)," Mr Rolfo said.
``No people are going to restaurants because they're afraid of catching SARS. They're just not going out to public places."
Consequently he has no export market, but Mr Rolfo is optimistic the market will soon return.
Meantime, Far South Coast fishermen like Ron Snape are putting their eel catches in dams until the crisis passes.
© 2003 Illawarra Mercury