New reef and fishing programs announced by state government to replenish marine life and support recreational fishers
The government has announced plans to try and save recreational fishing in SA in the wake of the devastating ecological damage caused by the toxic algal bloom.
A new fishing reef will be built in South Australia to boost fish stocks and save recreational fishing, as the state grapples with ecological damage from the toxic algal bloom disaster.
The state government announced on Sunday more than half a million dollars in taxpayer funding for new measures to boost recreational fishing as public confidence dents the pastime.
At least $300,000 will be spent installing a “strategically placed” recreational fishing reef in the Gulf St Vincent, to help support the survival of key fish species.
Announcing the measures at Semaphore, in Adelaide’s north west, on Sunday, Premier Peter Malinauskas said recreational fishing is a “significant driver of tourism” across the state, especially in regional areas.
“Recreational fishing is a really important part of our culture here in South Australia,” he said.
“We’ve got magnificent coastlines and incredibly good waterways to fish and that’s an incredibly healthy activity and pastime for countless South Australian families.
“We want to work collaboratively to open up more reservoirs and waterways to recreational fishing in a freshwater sense, and we’re going to run restocking programs, putting fish into our fresh waterways.”
The state government previously announced support for commercial fishers, allowing those most affected by the algal bloom to access up to $100,000.
Cabinet visited the Yorke Peninsula last week, during which the government also announced small businesses, including fishing and tourism operators, seafood processors, coastal caravan parks and beachfront cafes, can access up to $10,000 to compensare at least a 30 per cent decline in business.
RecFish SA chief executive, Asher Dezsery, said recreational fishing generates more than $380 million annually for the state economy.
He said the government’s package would “bolster opportunities, conservation efforts, and community engagement”.
“What we’ve seen is when recreational fishing stops, the economy stops with it,” he said.
Mr Dezsery said interstate reef projects similar to the one proposed for the Gulf St Vincent “100 per cent assists fish stocks in recovering” and creates biodiversity”.
“We’ve seen a huge amount of long-lived reef species, invertebrates die off from this algae, and what this reef does is it provides habitat.
“In the same way we’re mourning the loss of Edithburgh jetty and all of that biodiversity, by putting infrastructure and reef on the ground you’re providing opportunity and habitat for that recovery.”
RecFish SA will hold a series of fishing events in regional areas – in partnership with tackle stores and businesses – along with fishing forums using industry personalities and local experts.
The government will also be providing a $200,000 grant to support more than 100 community fishing clinics, programs, competitions, and engagement with fishing clubs to boost participation.
Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia said Labor had been “very slow to act” when it came to the algal bloom.
“They seem to be just making this stuff up as they go along,” he said.
“They’ve known about this emergency for some four to five months, they only recently had the first meeting on it.”
“I think in terms of replenishing some of our reservoirs with fish, then that would certainly be welcomed by the recreational fishing sector.”
Fisherman Tony Bainbridge, 80, a father-of-five of Sheidow Park, criticised the “crock” details, saying the algal bloom crisis could not be fixed with money.
“You can’t throw money at this problem and that’s what the government is doing,” he said. “It’s feel-good stuff. It’s likea Band-Aid – you feel great and they’ll get all this and it’ll be fine.”
“They’re not addressing the issue.”
Mr Bainbridge, who has been fishing “all his life”, has visited the Onkaparinga Riverfor the past 35 years, where he still managed to catch 15 or more Brim a day.
