Coorong Fish Deaths

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:42): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before directing a question to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development about fish deaths in the Coorong South Lagoon.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: During question time on 18 June 2024, the minister, in response to a question about fish deaths in the Coorong South Lagoon, said this:

…PIRSA began investigating media reports of a fish kill in the Coorong within hours of determining the location and that officers attended the site on 12 June…

However, in an article by the ABC News on 20 June 2024, commercial fisherman and environmental advocate Gary Hera-Singh said that he and his colleagues first noticed thousands of mullet dying in late May, and according to a 7News article published on 6 June they claim that they contacted PIRSA, which said that they were unaware of a fish kill in the South Lagoon. My questions to the minister are:

1. Can the minister explain why there was such a large delay between when the fish deaths were reported in the media and when PIRSA sent investigators to the lagoon?

2. What actions is the minister currently taking to tackle the issues in the Coorong South Lagoon that resulted in the most recent fish kill?

3. Will the minister undertake further communication and advocacy with the federal government to secure the funding required to improve the health of the river system and the Coorong?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:44): I thank the honourable member for her question. In terms of the second part of the question, I think it is quite remarkable that those opposite would even raise that given their appalling record on so many things to do with the health of our waterways. However, be that as it may, I think it is fair to say that our government has been doing a great deal in that space, both in terms of advocacy and in terms of attention.

In terms of the fish deaths, I am advised that the event was not reported to PIRSA biosecurity via Fishwatch. The location of the incident obviously needs to be available before an investigation can commence. I am advised that on Tuesday 11 June PIRSA biosecurity was able to obtain location information via reports made to the Department for Environment and Water. PIRSA biosecurity undertook a site visit and collected water samples and environmental measurements within 24 hours of receiving information on the location of the fish kill—that is, on Wednesday 12 June.

The responding biosecurity officer reported yellow eye Coorong mullet scattered over approximately seven kilometres, largely concentrated in the South Lagoon region. Environmental parameters, including temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen levels at the time of testing, were all within an acceptable range for that location. Data logger records show a decline in oxygen levels in the South Lagoon region in the days leading up to the fish kill. Water testing did not indicate the presence of any harmful or toxic algae.

Specimens were not freshly dead and therefore were not sampled for analysis. No sores or abrasions that may indicate the presence of disease were observed on the carcasses. From 22 to 27 May air temperatures measured by the DEW data loggers in close proximity to the fish kill that we are talking about were the lowest recorded for the month. A large algal biomass was also present in the South Lagoon. In cooler conditions algae are subject to population crashes. As decomposing bacteria consume the dead algae, oxygen is depleted from the system. I am advised that from the available information the cause of this fish kill event is likely attributed to the reduction in dissolved oxygen in the days preceding the event.

Again, I emphasise that no report of this event was received by the Fishwatch hotline at any time. It is vitally important that any fish kill event or concerns are reported to the Fishwatch hotline as early as possible and particularly with clear location data to enable an investigation to occur.