Question Time

SARDI Fish Deaths

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:45): My questions are to the Minister for Primary Industries on the topic of SARDI fish deaths. Has the investigation into the snapper larvae and oyster spat deaths at SARDI during October and November last year been completed? If so, what are the findings of the investigation? Has the minister been briefed on, or is she aware of, any further fish deaths at the SARDI facility, West Beach, or any neighbouring facilities that have not yet been publicly reported? If so, can she outline what species are affected and in what numbers?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:46): I thank the honourable member for her question. SARDI is continuing the investigation into the deaths of snapper larvae, oyster spat and barramundi brood stock and fingerlings that occurred in late 2024 at PIRSA's South Australian Aquatic Sciences Centre and the co-located Robarra barramundi commercial hatchery at West Beach.

PIRSA is undertaking the analysis, working with the Department for Environment and Water and South Australia's Environment Protection Authority, to understand what was occurring environmentally at the time of the mortalities. They occurred from mid-October to early November 2024 and impacted the government's snapper restocking program and the state oyster industry-funded POMS-resistant family line program, both of which are located at PIRSA SARDI's research facilities at West Beach. Private barramundi nursery and hatchery Robarra, which is co-located at the West Beach facility, incurred losses of barramundi brood stock and fingerlings.

Multiple lines of information are being considered in the investigation, including pathology results, environmental water quality data, coastal oceanography and aquaculture practices. Routine and independent pathology tests on snapper larvae, oyster spat and barramundi fingerlings were negative for infection by notifiable diseases or other pathogens. The investigation is looking at coastal water quality and is compiling data relating to local stormwater run-off, wastewater treatment, sand movement and weather events.

At this stage it's important to note there is no evidence directly linking the mortalities at the PIRSA facility to the dredging trial, as has been raised by the Leader of the Opposition in public comments. It's important that any analysis is based on the science and not on speculation. I would suggest that those opposite should remember the importance of evidence.