World Fisheries Day

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (22:57): I move:

That this council—

1. Acknowledges that 21 November is World Fisheries Day, which is dedicated to highlighting the critical importance of healthy ocean ecosystems and to ensuring sustainable stocks of fisheries in the world;

2. Recognises the need to protect South Australia's aquatic resources;

3. Notes the importance of scientific research and innovation in the management of fishing stocks in South Australia; and

4. Encourages South Australians to take a moment to consider the people behind the fish and support our fishers by enjoying seafood caught locally.

On 21 November, we mark World Fisheries Day, a day dedicated to highlighting the critical importance of healthy ocean ecosystems and to ensuring sustainable stocks of fisheries in the world. As a country island with around 34,000 kilometres of coastline, Australia has always had a strong connection to fishing. Whether it is deep sea fishing, estuary fishing, fresh water fishing, reef fishing or fly fishing, Australia has it all.

Fishing is an important leisure activity in Australia. Recreational fishing provides economic and social benefits to the Australian community for all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. It has been estimated that over three million people fish recreationally each year, making it one of the most significant outdoor activities undertaken by Australians.

Fishing is also of strong commercial importance to Australia. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences estimates that there are around 17,000 people employed in the fisheries and agriculture sector but only 2,000 of those in South Australia. The sector generates $3.15 billion to the economy annually and about half of the value of caught fish is exported.

Australians love their red meat and poultry but seafood is fast catching up in popularity. Seafood comes in at No. 4, behind beef, pork and poultry, but higher than sheep and lamb. It is therefore critical that we do what we can to protect our fisheries, for us and for future generations. This requires maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems to support fishing stock.

It also requires scientific research and innovation in the management of fishing stocks in South Australia and ensuring that decisions relating to fishing practices are underpinned by sound science, not political pointscoring or pandering to self-interest groups. A fishing sector underpinned by sound, scientifically-informed decisions will maximise the economic value of our fisheries while protecting our precious fish stocks.

The previous Liberal government recognised the importance of the fishing sector to the state and undertook an ambitious fishing reform program early in its term. Many significant achievements were made, with benefits still being felt in the industry today. For example, that government reformed the marine scalefish fishery, making it more sustainable over the long term and therefore more profitable by imposing science-based total catch limits on priority species. This included a $25.6 million commercial net and longline licence buyback to address overfishing. This reform was achieved at the request of the fishing sector, which Labor had failed to address for 16 years.

The Liberal government also set a precedent for fishing sectors through fishery management advisory committees to advise on fishing limits for all sectors, not just the commercial but also recreational and charter boat, including the Snapper Management Advisory Committee and now the new MSF management advisory committee. Previously the MACs focused solely on controls on commercial fishing and created an adversarial environment between recreational and commercial fishers.

The previous Liberal government also assisted the lobster industry by extending the season due to China export barriers. This provided our fishers greater flexibility to market their product. The Liberal government adopted a rolling pilchard quota to address the extension of the tuna season and imposed the long-term closure of the snapper season in the two gulfs in the Western Zone due to overfishing, while providing various support for all sectors impacted by the closure.

However, the sector still needs our support. The impacts of COVID and China trade restrictions have been damaging to certain parts of the fishing sector, and it is important that the fishing industry going forward continues to receive and enjoy the support of our state and our communities. I therefore encourage South Australians to take a moment to consider the people behind the fish and support our fishers by enjoying local seafood caught right here in South Australia.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.