00:04It's one of Queensland's last true fishing villages, with a lifestyle that's second to none.
00:10It's incredible. Sit up on the back veranda or go down the beachfront and have a beer,
00:15watch that sunset. It's a great feeling.
00:20But Karumba is facing an uncertain future.
00:23With the prawn and fishing industries, it relies on in decline.
00:27There's survivors that are left there now that are doing OK, doing quite well.
00:32But the spirit of the place is slowly diminishing.
00:37Karumba's big hit came last month, with the closure of Australia's largest wild-caught prawn operator, raptus.
00:44I'm struck, I guess, but tinged with a little bit of, you know, having a bit of understanding
00:51that there were significant economic pressures on the fishing industry in general.
00:55Yvonne Tunney has run the fish and chip shop here for more than 20 years.
01:00She now fears for her livelihood.
01:03Getting good product out of the Gulf is just, it's critical.
01:07It's the cornerstone of this business.
01:09If we can't source local good product, then basically we wouldn't have the cafe operating.
01:14While these waters are teeming with commercial fishes,
01:18charter boats also take to the sea here every tourism season.
01:21But some fear the decline of the seafood industry could have a major impact on their business.
01:27I think Karumba will struggle.
01:30Tourism is a massive part here and that's what keeps this town going.
01:35But the season seems to get shorter and shorter every year.
01:39Mark Grunsky's mud crabs end up on plates around the country.
01:44So we send them to Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin, doesn't matter where.
01:52He's more optimistic about the outlook for Karumba and its fishing industry.
01:56I think if anyone's got a fishing future, it's Karumba.
01:59We don't have the pressure from recreational fishermen.
02:02Those who rely on the industry hope he's right.
02:05All of the Gulf and North West, they have such vibrant communities
02:09that are under a lot of stress and pressure, but they have a lot of heart.
02:14And I wouldn't live anywhere else.
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