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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-06-05 Daily Xml
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ADOPT A BEACH PROGRAM

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (14:46): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries a question about the important program that is reducing the amount of debris along the state's coast.

Leave granted.

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS: The aquaculture industry has a significant presence in Eyre Peninsula and has developed a program in consultation with Primary Industries and Regions SA to mitigate the amount of debris along the state's coast. Can the minister update the chamber on the success of this program?

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) (14:46): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. Marine debris has been a concern, particularly for the Eyre Peninsula community and the aquaculture industry around that area for some time. Given the aquaculture industry's major presence in this area, the industry recognised the need to develop a more formal program to mitigate the amount of debris along the coast.

Following consultation with Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA), local residents and relevant industry associations, the industry-led Adopt a Beach monitoring program was launched in March 2012 by the Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association and PIRSA Fisheries. The program site locations stretch over 155 kilometres of coastline from Cape Euler near Tumby Bay to MacLaren Point, including Spilsby Island, Boston Island, Grantham Island and Bickers Island.

The 13 Eyre Peninsula based aquaculture companies within the southern bluefin tuna, finfish and mussel sectors agreed to take part in this really important project, and I understand the clean-up sites were negotiated between the 13 participating companies, with sites allocated based on the size of the company and their access to suitable resources.

The companies involved in the program have agreed to undertake beach clean-ups for a minimum of four times a year and each company must complete a clean-up on the stretch of beach they have been allocated before the end of March, June, September and December each year. I am pleased to advise the chamber that this program has delivered significant benefits to the coastal environment and has helped to address concerns from the Eyre Peninsula community about debris around their coastline.

I am very pleased to be advised that in its first year of operation the aquaculture industry beach-monitoring and clean-up program has collected more than 12,000 kilograms of debris and 54 clean-ups have been conducted. That is more than a tonne of debris every month. Some examples of marine debris collected include rope and plastics from commercial and recreational fishing activities, as well as land-based debris such as tyres, clothing and food packaging. I understand there was even an odd refrigerator or two.

Given the success of the Adopt a Beach program to date, the industry is now looking to expand the program and engage new partners to contribute to the ongoing efforts to minimise the level of debris along the coastline. I understand that the future scope of the program aims to involve a broader range of stakeholders and marine users.

The state government has worked closely with the local aquaculture industry to encourage the development of this industry-led program and we will be extremely pleased to see the industry doing its bit to ensure the protection of our coastal environment. Protecting our coastal environment is, obviously, an important part of the government's strategic priority of premium food and wine from a clean environment. South Australia has a reputation as a producer of premium seafood from our clean environment and it is really important that this is not only maintained but that we build on that reputation. Of course, it certainly undermines that reputation when you have unsightly piles of debris scattered along the coastline.

The Adopt a Beach program has not only resulted in a much cleaner coastline but also provides the opportunity to further enhance this state's clean credentials, which is very important to ensure that South Australia's aquaculture industry capitalises on the increased demand for its premium clean products. Organisations interested in contributing to the Adopt a Beach program should contact Primary Industries and Regions SA or the Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association. Aquaculture-related marine debris located in the Adopt a Beach area can be reported on the 24-hour Fishwatch number.

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