The State Government has unveiled a comprehensive recovery plan to rebuild South Australia’s fish stocks following the algal bloom that’s devastated marine life across Gulf St Vincent and Kangaroo Island.
The plan includes temporary fishing restrictions, industry support and millions in grants to help both commercial and recreational fishers recover from what’s been described as an “unprecedented impact” on key species including King George whiting, garfish, calamari and blue crab.
Support measures include up to $375,000 in business assistance grants, expanded small business support grants of up to $50,000, discounted boat registrations, and free access to boat ramps and coastal parks.
Additional funding will go towards fish restocking programs, a $500,000 voluntary licence surrender study, and $5.7 million for compliance and scientific monitoring.
From the 1st of November, there’ll be a 50 per cent cut to bag and boat limits in the affected fishing zones, and a temporary halt on commercial Marine Scalefish and Blue Crab fishing in Gulf St Vincent and Kangaroo Island waters.
The restrictions are expected to stay in place until June 2026, with snapper bans extended until mid-2027.
Premier Malinauskas said the move is about giving the marine environment a chance to recover.
“The science tells us this unprecedented algal bloom has had an unprecedented impact on our fish stocks,” he said. “It’s incumbent upon all of us to protect and regenerate these species and the livelihoods that depend on them.”
Seafood Industry SA executive officer Kyri Toumazos welcomed the decision, saying it was “the right move” to support sustainability, while Fisheries Minister Clare Scriven said the measures were guided by the latest stock assessments.
But Opposition Primary Industries spokesperson Nicola Centofanti has questioned the timing, saying the Government acted too slowly.
“Fishers have been warning for months that their catch had dried up,” she said. “It’s taken eight months for the Government to come to the table.”
She said the Liberals welcomed the sustainability measures but urged the Government to streamline relief applications and match the Opposition’s proposed $10.5 million “Go Fish SA” plan to boost native freshwater stocks.
