SARDI Electrofishing

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (15:07): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Will the minister inform the chamber about SARDI's partnership with the First Nations people in delivering research outcomes for the electrofishing method to collect data?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:08): I thank the honourable member for his question. Most in this council would rightly be aware and I would hope be very proud of the work SARDI does to provide research and knowledge that has driven incredible outcomes across our agriculture and fishing sectors. SARDI also has a proud track record of working closely with First Nations communities across the state, as the first custodians of our fisheries and agriculture industries provide the opportunity to share knowledge and that in turn provides incredible opportunities for us all.

An important collaboration between SARDI, the Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation (NAC) and the River Murray and Mallee Aboriginal Corporation (RMMAC) funded by the commonwealth Flow Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Program is researching pondi, or Murray cod, and trying to get a better understanding of the health and abundance of the species in the Lower Murray River.

Many years ago, it was reported that pondi was highly abundant along the River Murray and firsthand historical Ngarrindjeri accounts share stories of pondi that were apparently larger than the fishers who caught them. Over the years, though, habitat degradation, introduced species, particularly European carp, and the many other challenges that have faced the river have led to stories such as I mentioned a moment ago sadly no longer reflecting the experiences of fishing along the Murray.

The SARDI, NAC and RMMAC project makes use of boat electrofishing: catching fish in a nonlethal method that involves short 10-second pulses of 500 volts produced by an on-boat generator delivered by two delivery arms, or anodes. The charge has an impact radius of about three metres, with fish in the impact zone temporarily stunned, and they then float to the surface. The project crew collects them swiftly via dab nets, conducts a range of research measurements, then holds them in aerated tanks to recover before placing them back in the water.

I am advised that the process is harmless for both the fish and the fishers, with fish returning to normal function within minutes. Conducting research in this manner provides an efficient and safe way of collecting fish for research purposes. This research is primarily aimed at pondi, but during the process participants often observe other fish species such as golden and silver perch, catfish, bony herring, Australian smelt and, of course, sadly, the invasive carp.

In recent months, a demonstration day was once again held in Loxton to showcase the electrofishing technique. Representatives from SARDI, PIRSA, DEW, NAC and RMMAC, as well as from the commonwealth government, were in attendance with local community members, with groups of 10 people at a time boarding the dedicated electrofishing vessel to observe this fascinating fishing technique up close.

This year's event follows on from events in previous years, and it is fantastic to see SARDI showcasing its important work alongside the NAC and RMMAC. It should go without saying—it probably does—but electrofishing, while efficient, is performed in this instance by researchers with the appropriate equipment and knowledge. It is not something that should be undertaken otherwise. I thank SARDI, the NAC, and RMMAC for their work toward this project to better understand pondi, as well as putting together this event to share their knowledge, highlighting important conservation efforts of one of our iconic river species.