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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-04-10 Daily Xml
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AQUACULTURE ZONES

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (15:03): I seek leave to ask the Minister for Aquaculture, Food and Fisheries a question about South Australian aquaculture zones.

Leave granted.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: The ability to zone for aquaculture is recognised internationally as an important planning tool and is a fundamental fact in supporting industry confidence and investment. Can the minister update the chamber on the recently amended Lower Eyre Peninsula aquaculture zone?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:03): I thank the honourable member for her important question. Aquaculture zones in South Australia are broad pieces of state waters set aside to allow for the orderly development of aquaculture and permit individuals and companies to establish leases within a specific area. South Australia's aquaculture industry has established itself as a key contributor to our primary industries and regional communities. In addition, aquaculture zones are extremely important for future growth of the aquaculture industry in South Australia.

Today I am very pleased to advise the chamber that a new aquaculture zone policy for Lower Eyre Peninsula aims to provide a boost for South Australia's aquaculture farmers allowing for the potential expansion of the area used to farm the state's $125 million southern bluefin tuna industry. Specifically this entails providing more hectares for the farming of southern bluefin tuna in deeper waters to the South-East of the Sir Joseph Banks Islands, which is an environment more akin to the southern bluefin tuna's natural habitat. I am advised that all of the evidence to date suggests that this will mean fewer health issues, better quality fish and improved farm management practices.

I am advised that the southern bluefin tuna is the state's largest single aquaculture sector, accounting for almost 55 per cent of the state's gross value of aquaculture production. This recently amended zone policy will cover leasable land of 7,563 hectares in the Lower Eyre Peninsula region and will accommodate farming of wild caught tuna, finfish, algae and molluscs, including mussels, oysters and abalone.

South Australia is home to Australia's most diverse range of fisheries and aquaculture sectors, with a world-class reputation for quality seafood and environmental sustainability. I am advised that the aquaculture sector contributes around 54 per cent of the state's total value of seafood production (valued at $229 million) and directly employs more than 1,100 FTEs, the majority of whom are employed in and around the Eyre Peninsula region. So, you can see, Mr President, how important that is for the long-term sustainability of regional South Australia as well. This policy clearly supports the state's strategic priority of premium food and wine from a clean environment.

Following the finalisation of this new aquaculture zone, 11 aquaculture zone policies now cover the following regions in South Australia: Coffin Bay, Lower Eyre Peninsula, Arno Bay, Lacepede Bay, Anxious Bay, Eastern Spencer Gulf, Fitzgerald Bay, Port Neill, Smoky Bay and Streaky Bay. South Australia's aquaculture industry has attracted corporate investment from within Australia and also overseas, with industry testimonials crediting South Australia's management arrangements as one of the key reasons for their investment. The development of aquaculture zoning in South Australia is underpinned by significant work undertaken by SARDI in multidisciplinary research across oceanography, environmental biology and fishery science.

The completion of the Lower Eyre Peninsula aquaculture zone followed a comprehensive public consultation process by PIRSA's Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Aquaculture Advisory Committee. I am also advised that, following this consultation process, amendments were made to the zone to best accommodate community interests and also recreational and commercial fishing, to minimise transport concerns and obviously to protect sensitive habitats.

The finalisation of the Lower Eyre Peninsula aquaculture zone is a significant step in the sustainable development of South Australia's valued aquaculture industry, and it will assist in enhancing our capability to capitalise on the increasing global demand for premium products that are clean, safe and produced in a sustainable and ethical manner. We have one of the best managed fisheries in the world, and it is policies such as these zoning policies that help underpin the high integrity of our fisheries management.

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