Seaweed Harvesting

In reply to the Hon. M.C. PARNELL (24 March 2015).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change): The Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation has received this advice:

Commercial harvesting of seaweed that has been detached from the seabed and washed ashore does not require approval under the Native Vegetation Act 1991.

The Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) has been working with the Department of State Development (DSD) and Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) to determine appropriate management strategies that will ensure the necessary environmental protections are in place. Monitoring and research are being considered, along with the management strategies.