NSW fishers may receive financial help

Commercial fishers hit by recent fishing bans on the NSW Hunter Coast may be eligible to receive financial assistance of up to $25,000, the federal government says.

Tilligerry Creek and Fullerton Cove on the Hunter River, north of Newcastle, were recently closed following contamination caused by firefighting foams at the Williamtown Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base.

Local trawlers decided on Saturday to postpone the start of the trawling season until further tests were conducted in the region.

Jeff Hyde, 79, who has been trawling for more than six decades, says many fishermen are financial struggling.

"It is flipping terrible," Mr Hyde told AAP on Thursday.

"They closed Fullerton Cove, which is the most important part of the river for prawns, fish and crabs - and now they are extending the closure until next June.

"There is no income at all coming in."

The federal government says fishers who derive the majority of their income from fishing in the banned areas, may be eligible for up to $25,000.

"It is important that the local fishing community is supported as a result of events outside their control," said federal member for Paterson Bob Baldwin.