Trawlers have delayed the start of the prawn season in the NSW Hunter region following concerns of toxic chemical contamination leaking from the Williamtown RAAF Base.
The NSW government has extended local fishing closures at Tilligerry Creek and Fullerton Cove, north of Newcastle, by a further eight months after identifying fire-fighting chemicals in waters surrounding the air force base.
The region's prawn trawler operators voted on the weekend to delay the season by up to two weeks or until further testing is conducted along the Hunter River and nearby waters.
Commercial Fishermen's Co-op general manager Robert Gauta said fishers, many of whom have had no income in the past two months, are struggling financially.
"They are doing it very tough," Mr Gauta told AAP.
"It was a brave decision from those guys who have forgone income to make sure their brand is protected and to relieve the public's fear of any possible contamination."
"The regions have been closed for two months now, where a lot of fishermen do their trade."
Mr Gauta said many hope the RAAF will provide financial assistance to affected commercial fishers.
The eight-month extension includes both recreational and commercial bans, as well as warnings not to drink or prepare food using private water bores and to avoid eating produce caught in nearby waters.
The Hunter prawn season had been set to commence last Sunday.
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