Owners of Port Vincent Oysters plea for changes to algal bloom aid as government announces expansion to crisis payments

Premier Peter Malinauskas has thrown a lifeline to struggling marine businesses by expanding criteria for algal bloom crisis payments.

Port Vincent Oysters co-owners Judy and Frank DeGiglio have made no money since May after PIRSA shut their harvesting area. Picture: Supplied

More businesses ravaged by the algal bloom crisis will be delivered state financial support after the government widened eligibility.

Premier Peter Malinauskas on Monday afternoon announced state cabinet had broadened criteria for the small business support grant, along with the larger fisheries and aquaculture assistance grant.

The closing date for both will be extended from September 12 to November 30, with the requirement for turnover decline over a consecutive three-month period broadened to include April 1 to October 31.

Thresholds for turnover declines have been reduced in two tiers - from 50 per cent to 30 per cent.

Mr Malinauskas had revealed to The Advertiser that the government would consider adjusting the support packages to deliver more help for businesses crippled by the algal bloom.

Last month, the state government made grants of up to $100,000 available to businesses significantly impacted by the spread of the toxic algal bloom.

An immediate payment of $25,000 was available to businesses forced to close by authorities for more than one month or demonstrated an at least 50 per cent reduction in harvest for a three-month period.

It came after The Advertiser exclusively revelead adjusted support packages for businesses crippled by the spread of the toxic algal bloom would be considered by state cabinet as an oyster farmer told her story about how the crisis has brought her operation to its knees.

Premier Peter Malinauskas revealed to The Advertiser that state cabinet would on Monday discuss further support for businesses affected by the algal bloom outbreak poisoning sealife.

The announcement could provide a reprieve for co-owners of Port Vincent Oysters Judy and Jack DeGiglio, whose business has made no money since May after PIRSA shut their harvesting area.

“We have used up what money we did have”, said Ms DeGiglio, who sold oysters out of a van on the Yorke Peninsula.

The couple’s savings are “running out rapidly” and they still need to run their boat and pay for insurance.

“It’s difficult because we’re small, it’s just the two of us,” she said.

“We have nothing, we have zero.”

Last month, the state government made grants of up to $100,000 available to businesses significantly impacted by the spread of the toxic algal bloom.

An immediate payment of $25,000 was available to businesses forced to close by authorities for more than one month or demonstrated an at least 50 per cent reduction in harvest for a three-month period.

But Ms DeGiglio’s business did not meet the $100,000 yearly turnover threshold to qualify for the $25,000 payment.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said state cabinet would consider adjusted support packages for businesses affected by the toxic algal bloom. Picture: Ben Clark

“As soon as I put the application in, it got closed off,” she said.

Instead, Ms DeGiglio had considered a $10,000 support grant, which she said would “give a little bit of breather” but not help them survive long term.

“There needs to be a bit of leeway with the support,” she said.

“They need to listen to the people that are actually affected on the ground.

“Every case needs to be treated individually.”

Ms DeGiglio was not optimistic the business would be able to operate before the end of the year.

“We need to be able to keep afloat,” she said.

“We are desperate.”

Mr Malinauskas said cabinet would “consider adjusted support packages for business grants” on Monday.

The announcement came after Mr Malinauskas held “really productive” talks with fishing industry representatives on Friday to “best calibrate this support package”.

The government “remains open” to providing further support if the algal bloom persists into the summer period.

“The algal bloom business grants are among the most generous in the state’s history,” he said.

“I promised to work with industry to ensure funds would get to those most in need and that we would remain flexible if adjustments are needed.”

Last week, United States-based algal bloom expert Donald Anderson described the crisis in South Australia as “one of the worst that’s happened globally for a long time”.

He is set to help advise on the growing marine crisis from the ground in Adelaide.

Originally published as Owners of Port Vincent Oysters plea for changes to algal bloom aid as government announces expansion to crisis payments