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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-09-09 Daily Xml
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NGERIN REPLACEMENT

Mrs PENFOLD (Flinders) (15:36): For many years I have been asking the government to upgrade South Australia's research vessel, the Ngerin, to adequately cover the research that is needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of our fisheries and the protection of the environment. The problem our researchers have working with inadequate equipment was brought to my attention again when I read on the CSIRO website that the federal government has committed $120 million for a new 'blue water' marine research vessel to replace the Southern Surveyor.

The South Australian government conducts oceanographic research with the research vessel Ngerin, which frequently visits Port Lincoln. Now 22 years old, the Ngerin, which was commissioned to work in South Australia's gulfs, is being used in circumstances that it was not built for. It is no longer fit for purpose and requires urgent replacement. As a general rule, large fishing vessels have a finite life and many large vessels based in Port Lincoln are replaced as technology and their fishing purpose changes. It should be the same for South Australian government vessels.

Australia's ocean territory is the third largest in the world and includes unique biodiversity and valuable resources. With no land between South Australia's coastline and Antarctica, we have a huge area to research, recognising of course, that not all of it is under Australian jurisdiction. Marine science is critical for the sustainable management of our ocean assets, as recognised by the development of 19 marine parks around the coast. Better oceanographic facilities than the Ngerin has are required to understand upwelling deep ocean currents to support the integrated marine observation systems, to assess commonwealth marine parks, and for the conservation of protected species such as blue whales, humpbacks and sea lions. Additionally, the science would provide a basis for understanding the effects of climate change on our seas and the known rising CO2 levels and acidification.

The Ngerin is unsuitable for the research being undertaken in the deep oceans of South Australia where many of the state's new marine research priorities are located. The size of the boat is inadequate for seas that are renowned for being treacherous, which is potentially putting lives at risk. A new research vessel would support the success of the marine innovation initiative and the commonwealth integrated observation system initiatives, leading to further establishing South Australia as an internationally recognised centre for marine science and industry. It would assist research to support the development of offshore fishing and aquaculture industries and increase the state's research profile by increasing the opportunities for universities and national research organisations to win nationally competitive research grants, while attracting international scientists undertaking oceanographic research.

Along with climate change, food has been identified as one of the major future concerns. Research is essential, therefore, to find new food sources and to ensure that all are sustainably managed. Deployment of a new ocean-going research vessel would address key points of South Australia's 10-year vision for science, technology and innovation. This includes a commitment to science, technology and innovation; further developing and supporting Marine Innovations SA (MISA); enhancing our reputation in marine science; displaying a willingness to invest in strategic research areas; supporting the education and training of scientists with relevant infrastructure; providing a flagship for engaging and educating the community about marine science; and maximising progress towards the state's seafood target.

The Ngerin significantly contributed to the development of the state's knowledge of marine science, such as research into egg production for the South Australian sardine (pilchard) fishery. The fishery is the largest fishery in Australia. The prawn fishery in Spencer Gulf is the best managed fishery in the world, according to the United Nations, and has also benefited.

Some of the future needs that could exceed Ngerin's capabilities include research of the Southern Ocean's Continental Shelf and offshore resource assessments, including pelagic fish and squid in the Great Australian Bight. Further exploration of the benthic and pelagic resources of the Great Australian Bight require a larger and better equipped vessel.

Science conducted from a purpose-built replacement vessel for the ageing Ngerin would assist the conservation of this state's unique marine ecosystems and protected areas. It would also support the ecologically sustainable development of South Australia's valuable fishing and aquaculture industries, which now have a gross value of around $400 million per year, plus an equivalent value from seafood processing.

Research is an essential component for developing sustainable and environmentally acceptable fish and seafood industries. This was achieved by those in the industry—not by governments or other outside bodies—but those in the prawn fishery acknowledge what SARDI has done by working with them in reducing the fishery's ecological footprint and ensuring the sustainability of the fishery.

Time expired.

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