Seafood industry not given ‘one cent’ from government to fight off algal bloom, said Michael Angelakis

Seafood king Michael Angelakis said the seafood industry was in dire straits financially with the state’s waters needing years to replenish stocks – so where is the government support?

With the algal bloom showing no signs of dissipating, a seafood legend says “the drought of the sea” will have devastating effects on the industry.

In a passionate plea to the state government, Michael Angelakis, 74, said more needed to be done to save the marine ecosystem and support affected fishers.

Seafood king Michael Angelakis said there should be similar government efforts made for the seafood industry, similar to the help received by farmers. Picture: Supplied.

“We have a drought in the sea, so we need the same considerations, the same kind of financial support and recognition that they are giving farmers,” the former TV personality said.

“We’re not doing this to fill up people’s aquariums, we’re providing food.”

Mr Angelakis said he had “never seen anything like this” hit the industry.

“It’s challenging enough that seafood has to compete with other foods,” he said

“Even if it (the algal bloom) does go, it’s already done the damage.

“It’s going to take a long time to recover their stocks again. It’s going to take years for all the shellfish to spawn, and to replenish the seabeds and the sandbars where they all grow.”

A report last week revealed how warnings by marine experts were ignored by the government, which Mr Angelakis described as “terrible and so irresponsible”.

“All of a sudden, everyone falls over backwards to help the farmers, which they should – they’ve got a natural disaster,” he said.

“But isn’t the algal bloom a natural disaster, too?

“We haven’t got one cent to help us fight this.”

Mr Angelakis said it would take years for fish stocks to replenish after the devastation wrought by the algal bloom. Picture: Lochie Cameron

Mr Angelakis said the industry “is getting to the point where it’s going to have such devastating effects”.

While the market remains steady with prices yet to rise, Mr Angelakis believes it’s “just a matter of time”.

Harvest areas surrounding Gulf St Vincent – particularly at Stansbury, Port Vincent and Kangaroo Island – have been closed for more than two months, leaving professional fishers unable to operate during that period.

Chairman of the SA Oyster Growers Association Peter Treloar said oysters in algal bloom-affected areas were growing but were not being sold due to health risks.

“That’s severely impacting businesses and cash flow,” he said. “There’s been no income at all over the two months.”

Among those affected is Stansbury oyster grower Steve Bowley, 68.

“We originally hoped we’d be closed for a week, then a fortnight, then a month and now it’s day 62,” he said.

“I don’t really know anymore. I’ve just been refusing to give up I suppose.”

Dead sea life has been spotted washed up at West Beach, despite hopes cold weather would put a stop to the toxic algae bloom. Picture: SharkWatch SA Facebook

Mr Bowley, who has been growing oysters for 19 years, has been forced to dip into his superannuation and savings to keep his business afloat.

“We’re still feeling the effects of Covid – we lost all of our contracts and sales when restaurants and pubs went out of business,” he said

“So, we had to reinvent ourselves and get back on the horse, but now we’re just going down that path once again.

“It’s been a tough few years for us, for sure”.

Originally published as Seafood industry not given ‘one cent’ from government to fight off algal bloom, said Michael Angelakis