Key points raised by witnesses during the Committee's round table included—
reported loss of income/viability during closure periods, displacement conflicts, fuel costs, and reduced safe grounds due to MPAs, areas closed for defence, fish farms
lLack of an islands community impact assessment despite facing the same issues that island communities face (depopulation, decline in fishing jobs
counter points from conservation groups stressed that healthy, diverse fish populations and habitat complexity underpin long term community and fleet resilience (e.g., benefits observed in no take zones/MPAs for certain species and low impact gears).