KINGFISH ESCAPES

In reply to the Hon. SANDRA KANCK (21 June 2006).

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs): The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries has provided the following information:

1. Previous work has been conducted by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) to determine whether wild stocks of yellowtail kingfish could be differentiated from farmed stocks and analysis of the dietary habits of kingfish. The work conducted by SARDI distinguished between farmed and wild fish due to differences in their body shape, but also determined that some internal structures could be used on an ongoing basis.

An important part of this study was analysis of the stomach contents of sampled fish. This analysis did not provide a strong impression that the farmed fish were experienced feeders or were feeding well, with the majority of fish having empty guts. However, of the small number of the presumed escaped fish, which did have stomach contents, only remnant amounts of digesting vertebrate and invertebrate material were present.

These samples also contained foreign matter such as mangrove flowers and grain that is not consistent with the diet of carnivorous fish. It is highly likely the majority may have been experiencing problems in obtaining sufficient food and thus were experiencing problems with malnutrition. These findings are consistent with other studies, which have found that farmed fish do not have the same instincts or feeding patterns as their wild counterparts and are therefore significantly affected by natural predation.

In addition, through the Innovative Solutions for Aquaculture Planning and Management initiative, Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA) has funded the project 'Potential for interactions between farmed and wild kingfish, discrimination of farmed and wild fish and assessment of migratory behaviour' this includes work that will develop a better understanding of the migratory behaviours and breeding patterns of wild kingfish and includes some initial studies on discrimination of wild and farmed fish.

PIRSA Aquaculture staff have discussed the importance of research for determining the effects of escapes and planned stock enhancement directly with Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) staff and other industry-funded research providers. It has been highlighted that both the effects of escapes and deliberate releases such as stock enhancement could be examined further.

2. All finfish licence holders are required to submit strategies relating to escape of stock as required under Regulation 19 of the Aquaculture Regulations 2005. These strategies set out a minimum set of design, construction and operation standards against which activities on licensed sites will be evaluated in the event of an escape. Licensees must ensure that activities under the licence conform to the approved strategy. Penalties of a maximum of $5,000 may apply should licensed activities not conform to what is outlined in their strategy.

These strategies enhance PIRSA's regulatory framework and provide measurable steps, taken by industry, to minimise escapes. Furthermore, there is a licence condition which states the Licensee shall at all times during the term of the Licence comply with the requirements of all statutes, regulations etc applicable to the Licensed Site or the use of the Licensed Site by the Licensee including the Aquaculture Act 2001, Aquaculture Regulations 2005 and the Livestock Act 1997. Section 57 of the Aquaculture Act 2001 sets out the circumstances under which a licence can be cancelled or suspended. This includes failure to comply with licence conditions under Section 57(b).

3. Mr Nightingale's comments were based on figures from the Public Register that show on average there have been 3.5 escape events per annum between 2001 and 2005 with no escape events being recorded during 2004. It is expected that with improved industry practices and the introduction of the new Aquaculture Regulations 2005 these escape events can be decreased even further.