UPDATE: Urgent fish stock assessments are now underway in Gulf St Vincent as the region grapples with a severe algal bloom crisis. The assessments, which began last week, have drawn criticism from the opposition for the government’s slow response time following a July 22 announcement regarding the impact of the algal bloom.
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Nicola Centofanti, has labeled the government’s efforts as “sluggish,” stating that more than two months have passed without significant action. In contrast, Primary Industries Minister Claire Scriven insists that assessments have been ongoing for weeks, covering various fisheries including prawns and blue crabs.
Contracted by the state government, commercial fisher Bart Butson and his team of 27 colleagues are tasked with assessing fish stocks in Gulf St Vincent until the end of December. Butson has voiced concerns about the current state of fish stocks, describing it as “terrible” and advocating for a temporary closure of commercial fishing in the area until sustainability is confirmed.
“I stand by that … the commercial fishers in GSV could have a temporary closure while we do this research,” Butson stated. He emphasized the need for accurate stock assessment to guide crucial decisions moving forward. Meanwhile, Minister Scriven confirmed that findings from these assessments will be presented to the algal bloom taskforce, which meets weekly.
The impact of the algal bloom is profoundly felt by local aquaculture. Steve Bowley, an oyster grower from Stansbury, has been unable to sell his oysters for over 150 days due to the presence of dangerous brevetoxin in the waters. Despite receiving $25,000 from the Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant, Bowley estimates losses of up to $150,000 in sales.
“It’s probably because we’ve had them up so high to avoid the bloom that they’re now suffering,” Bowley lamented. He has even contemplated taking up truck driving to supplement his income as his business struggles during the prolonged closure.
In a visit to Yorke Peninsula, Premier Peter Malinauskas acknowledged the ongoing crisis, stating that “the perception of the algal bloom is doing as much damage as the bloom itself.” This sentiment echoes the urgency of the situation, as local businesses and marine life face unprecedented challenges.
As the situation develops, an algal bloom hotline has been established to provide crucial information about industry support, health advice, and marine life safety. The hotline operates daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, with 24/7 support for urgent mental health and wildlife concerns. The hotline number is 1800 774 779 and complements the dedicated state government website at algalbloom.sa.gov.au.
The government plans to announce a comprehensive summer strategy within the next fortnight, aimed at addressing the ongoing algal bloom crisis and its ramifications for local fisheries and aquaculture. The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated as the community grapples with the immediate impacts on their livelihoods and the marine ecosystem.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
