Snapper Stock

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:12): My question is for the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Can the minister tell the chamber about the snapper fingerling release that took place in the school holidays on the Yorke Peninsula?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:12): I thank the honourable member for his question and his interest in this topic. I am pleased to report that the snapper fingerling community event was a success. It was a stunning Monday morning just last week at Black Point boat ramp, with good numbers in attendance greeted by the most beautiful weather and perfect conditions for the release.

A very pleasing part was the number of children and families who were able to attend, particularly given that the planned release for the first Monday of school holidays was unable to proceed. To be able to have the rescheduled event the following Monday and have it so well attended speaks to a couple of points, not least of which is the interest that the community has in seeing the snapper species rebound.

The community event really was an opportunity for a visual representation of the state government's $8.8 million snapper package that I have outlined to the chamber before. The package focuses on research into the species but has also funded other incredibly important work, such as the snapper fingerling program at SARDI West Beach.

So much of this work happens outside of the public eye, but with dedicated scientists, researchers and fisheries managers working to better understand snapper stocks it is important that through events like this and the online PIRSA snapper hub the community can be kept informed and, importantly, be involved.

The fingerlings were transported to Black Point from SARDI West Beach in specially made tanks that kept them safe and well on their journey. From there, they were scooped out with old-fashioned buckets, and mums, dads, kids and everyone else in attendance were able to walk out a few metres into the water off the boat ramp and release the fish.

Of course, the kids who were there had a great time taking part in something that I expect they will remember and be able to tell their friends at school about this week as they go back to the classrooms. Particularly given that this was a 6.30am start in school holidays, it was particularly pleasing that so many young people were involved. There were 20,000 fish released in this community event, so it certainly kept the kids, as well as the adults who were in attendance, busy for quite a while.

I was also really appreciative of the interest not only from local media, which is incredibly important, but also Channel 7, which travelled to the event to give it coverage. Combined, all of that media attention is important for people to be reminded of the importance of sustainable fishing and the importance of the investment into the snapper species.

I look forward to the SARDI snapper stock assessments, which are due in late 2025, early 2026. I hope they will show an improvement in the species sustainability, with decisions to be made with the best possible information to hand as to future management arrangements for the fishery when the current closure expires in mid-2026. Again, I thank all of those involved, particularly the staff from SARDI but also everyone in the community, the local council, the media and others who were able to support this significant but also fun event.