Legislative Council Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1) 53 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Prawn Fishing Industry Prawn Fishing Industry The Hon. J.A. DARLEY Legislative Council Prawn Fishing Industry The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (15:24): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, representing the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, questions regarding the commercial prawn industry. Leave granted. The Hon. J.A. DARLEY Legislative Council The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: I have been contacted by a number of concerned commercial prawn fishers who are extremely anxious about the way in which the department of fisheries has managed the stocks over the past 30 years. I understand that many resources have been put towards this issue over the years from PIRSA; however, experienced local fishermen who have been in the industry for over 40 years are seeing the same mistakes committed over and over again. There is now immediate concern that stocks will soon be depleted beyond the point of recovery if urgent action is not taken. My questions are: 1.	Given the history of the situation, will the minister consider the proposal to restore the industry being suggested by the local, experienced prawn fishers? 2.	Will the minister give a commitment to consider the past proven mismanagement of the industry by the department of fisheries when making a decision on any advice given by fisheries? 3.	Will the minister undertake to work with all commercial prawn fishers on this matter? The Hon. I.K. HUNTER Legislative Council Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:25): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. I will take that question to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries in another place and bring it back and answer on his behalf.