The Queensland Seafood Marketers Association says tough times have forced some fisherman to start applying for centrelink payments.

The Association's Vice-President Sid McKeown says that high fuel prices and cheap imports are problems for the depleted industry.. but he says the real concern is over-regulation.

"Just this week I've become aware here in Bundaberg that some fisherman are actually going to register with Centrelink, that's how serious it is", he says.

"And to get somebody from Canberra or somebody in authority to come and have a good look at the industry and the financial state that it's in would be a first.

"Let's forget about promising money - it's no good throwing good money after bad.