Yabby Nets

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:51): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Primary Industries regarding opera house yabby nets.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: An announcement was made two days prior to the banning of the opera house nets that there would be a swap scheme for the now-banned opera house yabby nets, and the proposed scheme to be run in partnership with RecFish SA and Green Adelaide. Whilst we applaud the minister for taking on the suggestion of the opposition to have such a scheme, we are now three months on and still no details have been established or published for recreational fishers.

Summer is fast approaching, the busy school holiday period is on the doorstep, and recreational yabby fishers are keen to have answers. There is still no announcement on the PIRSA, RecFish SA or Green Adelaide websites. My questions to the minister are:

1. Where is the information publicly available for recreational yabby fishers to find out about the exchange program?

2. Can the minister inform the chamber which budget line the money for this incentive will come from?

3. Can the minister inform the chamber which agency will have the responsibility to administer this exchange program?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:52): I thank the honourable member for her question; I think it is an important question. I am not sure if members are aware of the benefits of outlawing the type of net under discussion and replacing it with one that has fewer fatalities for particular aquatic animals. We have been working with RecFish SA on a number of matters, and they have also been working with Green Adelaide particularly in regard to a swap situation. I am happy to get updated advice in terms of where the information appears and bring that back to the chamber.