Lower Eyre Peninsula Aquaculture Zone

439 The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) ().19 August 2025).

1. In regard to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture, Lower Eyre Peninsula Aquaculture zones (Budget Paper 3, page 103).

(a) How many applications have been received to date?

(b) Is this number more or less than anticipated by the department?

(c) Given the uncertainty around the future of the aquaculture industry on the lower EP, due to the decision by your government to build the desalination plant at Billy Lights Point, an active aquaculture bay, do you think your government can achieve growth in the aquaculture industry?

2. In regard to Lower Eyre Peninsula Aquaculture Zones Allocation Review, (Budget Paper 4, Volume 4, page 56):

(a) Has the government formally accepted all of the Allocation Review Committee's recommendations? If not, which recommendations have been rejected or deferred, and why?

(b) What timelines have been set for the staged implementation of these new management arrangements?

(c) How will the government ensure a fair and transparent process when reallocating access between commercial and recreational sectors?

(d) What consultation has taken place with stakeholders across both sectors regarding the proposed changes, and how have those views been incorporated into the implementation strategy?

(e) Will transitional support be provided to fishers—commercial or recreational—who may be negatively impacted by the new allocation framework?

(f) How will compliance and enforcement arrangements be adjusted to reflect any changes in access or quota allocations?

(g) Is there funding in the current budget to support implementation, including administrative changes, stakeholder engagement, and potential compensation?

(h) How will the government monitor and evaluate the outcomes of these new management arrangements to ensure sustainability and economic viability?

3. In regard to the electronic catch and disposal records, marine scale fishery, (Budget Paper 4, Volume 4, page 56):

(a) Given the government's continued transition of all quota fisheries to electronic submissions of catch and disposal records in 2024-25 and continued in 25-26, will this result in decreased compliance costs to industry?

(b) Has the draft harvest strategy framework for the marine scale fishing sector received positive feedback from industry?

(c) If not, what have been the major concerns?

(d) Is there a suggestion in the draft harvest strategy that there may be a reduction in the value of the quota for licence holders?

(e) Do you think that is just and fair for those fishers who have purchased additional quotas and now will be potentially told they have a reduced value of their quota?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries): I am advised:

1. The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) received 16 applications during the public call.

The Aquaculture (Zones—Lower Eyre Peninsula) Policy 2023 is one of the most diverse and in-demand aquaculture areas within state waters around Port Lincoln and was made to support the sustainable growth of aquaculture for both the existing established aquaculture sectors, such as tuna, yellowtail kingfish, and mussels, and the emerging sectors, such as seaweed. It is therefore not surprising that the number of applications received was a record number compared to previous public calls undertaken across the state's twelve aquaculture zone policies.

In regard to the desalination plant, marine science research undertaken by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and other external providers for SA Water has demonstrated a 12 gigalitre per year desalination plant can be built at Billy Lights Point, near Port Lincoln, with minimal impact on the marine environment, including the local aquaculture industry. The science delivery to SA Water was undertaken in collaboration with industry stakeholder groups and was reviewed by an independent expert marine science panel. The record number of applications received during the recent public call in the Aquaculture (Zones—Lower Eyre Peninsula) Policy 2023, which included applications covering the yellowtail kingfish, mussel, oyster, and seaweed aquaculture sectors, demonstrates confidence to invest and stimulate further growth in the state's most in-demand aquaculture area.

2. In regard to the Allocation Review Committee, (Budget Paper 4, Volume 4, page 56):

I approved all the recommendations of the Allocation Review Committee on 25 February 2025.

These approved recommendations were:

Black bream—The recreational sector be managed back to within their allocation (their proportional share of the total five-year catch average) and consider regional management of the species with a focus on the Lakes and Coorong.

Sand crab—The sectors be managed back within their allocations, ideally though increasing the recreational access to the species

Yellowtail kingfish—The commercial sector be managed back within their allocation

The assessments of King George whiting and southern garfish be put on hold until the new harvest strategy, management plan, and new recommended biological catch model are finalised.

The allocation policy provides that management arrangements required after an assessment should be introduced within two years following the outcome from a review.

To manage stakeholder expectations, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is implementing the arrangements for yellowtail kingfish, sand crab and black bream as soon as possible—with it noted that arrangements for yellowtail kingfish were introduced on 1 July 2025 to constrain the commercial take of yellowtail kingfish ahead of the next fishing season.

For the assessments of King George whiting and southern garfish, it is anticipated that updated models for estimating recommended biological catch will be available in April 2026. The Allocation Review Committee will reconvene as soon as practical following the availability of the new models.

No allocation assessment to date has resulted in the recommendation that shares be reallocated.

It is noted the Allocation Review Committee is an independent committee and that membership is inclusive of a representative of each fishing sector. Further, fishery representatives can attend meetings as observers to ensure positions are adequately represented. Chair reports from meetings of the Allocation Review Committee are published on the PIRSA website.

Prior to implementing arrangements for yellowtail kingfish, PIRSA consulted with the peak bodies for the marine scalefish fishery on proposed management arrangements and refined the arrangements in consideration of their positions.

Ahead of changes to sand crab and black bream for the recreational fishing sector PIRSA will seek the views of RecFish SA on appropriate limits or other potential arrangements to increase access to sand crab and decrease access to black bream in the lakes and Coorong.

Where appropriate and available, PIRSA will also seek advice from the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) on the potential impact of different management arrangements.

PIRSA undertakes consultation with relevant stakeholders before management changes are made to ensure that impacts are minimised. Licence holders experiencing financial or emotional distress may access flexible payment plans, apply for a financial hardship assessment, and receive free counselling and business advice through PIRSA's Family and Business Support, and Rural Financial Counselling Service programs

Compliance arrangements remain consistent following changes in allocations or adjustments to manage within shares. Where changes are applicable to the recreational fishing sector increased education is undertaken by compliance officers as well as Fishcare volunteers and required changes made to signage and promotional material. Costs associated with managing a sector back within allocations are absorbed within regular PIRSA budget.

In the event of a reallocation of shares, provision for compensation is specified in the Fisheries Management Act 2007 and allocation policy, with any reduction in shares treated the same way as an acquisition. The allocation policy further provides that an adjustment in favour of the recreational or Aboriginal traditional fishing sectors will be funded by government, while an adjustment in favour of the commercial fishing sector will be funded by the commercial sector.

3. In regard to the electronic catch and disposal records, marine scale fishery, (Budget Paper 4, Volume 4, page 56):

Over the past two years, as well as this financial year, PIRSA will have committed $1.65 million on digital initiatives to benefit the commercial seafood industry:

$770,000 eCDR—now complete, fishers submit catch and effort returns electronically which enables them to monitor their quota holdings in real time.

$130,000 Quota Trading Platform—now provides a user-friendly platform that enables fishers to trade quota privately, or to advertise quota for trade.

$750,000 eLogs—will enable fishers to record and submit required catch and effort data on a daily basis, allowing PIRSA stock status reporting to be created using the most up to date information.

The overall impact of these projects is significant, resulting in greater efficiencies for industry and PIRSA. These projects will also allow for improved and more efficient decision-making surrounding the management of South Australia's aquatic resources. These specific initiatives assist in the timely management of fisheries, however, do not directly correlate to reduced compliance costs to industry as audits and inspections will still be required as a part of a risk-based compliance program. It is acknowledged there may be associated administration cost reductions as a result of the efficiencies gained through the digital submission of data.

The harvest strategy framework (HSF) for the marine scalefish fishery was developed over the last two years under the guidance of the Marine Scalefish Fishery Management Advisory Committee (MSFMAC) which comprises of representatives of the commercial marine scalefish fishery (MSF) and other sector representatives together with an independent chair, independent economist, independent scientist and independent conservation scientist. The draft harvest strategy underwent consultation with peak industry bodies in 2023-24 which included a series of information sessions provided at Ceduna, Port Lincoln, Port Broughton, and Adelaide. The harvest strategy also underwent public consultation from 18 November 2024 to 31 January 2025 as a major component of the replacement management plan for the MSF which took effect from 1 July 2025.

Public and industry feedback on the management plan on balance was generally supportive, and the issues raised were carefully considered by PIRSA and the MSFMAC before a final version was endorsed.

The aim of the harvest strategy framework is for robust, transparent, and defensible mechanisms to maintain species within the MSF at sustainable levels and the fishery is managed consistent with the Fisheries Management Act 2007 and the South Australian Harvest Strategy Policy (PIRSA 2015a).

Importantly, the harvest strategy includes transitional arrangements and mechanisms to reduce impacts in the industry where large changes (up or down) in TACCs are required under to respond to increases or decreases in the size of fish stocks.

Quota unit values for species subject to a total allowable commercial catch may change each quota (financial) year, depending on available information including stock assessment reports, stock status classification and the overall performance of that species. Information regarding each stock is considered by the MSFMAC who makes recommendations to the minister on suitable catch limits each financial year.

Quota unit values (in terms of kilograms per quota unit) may increase or decrease relative to the performance of that fish stock on a financial year by year basis. This means that when a fish stock is performing well, quota unit values may increase and concurrently, if fish stock performance is decreasing, quota unit values may decrease.

Quota unit values are determined and communicated to licence holders in advance of each new quota period, allowing them to consider the economic value of temporarily increasing their quota holdings.