Restrictions on how the members of the Hastings River Fishing Co-operative trade have grown over the years.

Fishermen are no longer able to work in the river their business was founded on. Their only freshwater options are Lake Innes, Queens Lake or Watson Taylor Lake and lower parts of the Macleay River.

Fourth generation worker, and third generation Co-op member, Paul Hyde said numerous factors had led to the current situation.

"We've lost members due to the industry changing the way it has," he said.

"It's really been a slow squeeze with the rising costs of employment, licensing and keeping an old building up to scratch."

It costs a professional more than $6500 for a commercial licence, which works out to be $126 per week "and that's without running costs," Mr Hyde said.

Travelling away from Port Macquarie to permitted fishing spots also adds costs. And it looks like it'll be even pricier in the future.

"Once the Co-op [building] goes, our options are limited," Mr Hyde said.

"We either take all our stuff to Laurieton for shipping, or we build cool rooms at home and then take the catch out to the highway to catch a truck from Coffs Harbour to Sydney."

The seasoned fisherman said the "biggest killer" for the industry was "the rules and regulations of this area, as well as the costs".

But he wasn't taking a shot at the frontline Department of Primary Industries staff tasked with enforcement.

"Compliance-wise the fisheries officers around here have been good," he said.

He wasn't so charitable about those who take advantage of the industry.

"One thing that's been hard is thieving and damage to our gear.

"I recently had $1000 worth of damage to gear in Lake Cathie from traps being cut."

The Department of Primary Industries was not available for comment on Friday.