The average South Australian commercial fisher will save $900 this financial year on licence fees with the Marshall Liberal Government taking action to reduce costs and pass these savings on.
The majority of the savings have been made possible by moving State Government fisheries staff from CBD offices in Grenfell Street and also at Largs Bay to West Beach.
South Australian fishing licences are charged on a cost recovery basis and the move will save commercial fishers more than $700,000 in total in the 2021/22 financial year compared to 2020/21.
This saving is on average a 5.1 per cent decrease across South Australian fisheries with sectors such as abalone, prawn and marine scalefish fisheries big winners.
The reduction in fishing licence fees also coincides with the start of the Marshall Liberal Government's historic $24.5 million marine scalefish fishery reforms to strengthen the long-term financial and ecological sustainability of the industry.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development said the savings will be welcomed by South Australian fishers.
"Many of our fishers have had difficult years with COVID-19 restrictions and international market disruptions," Minister Basham.
"South Australia is undoubtedly the 'Seafood State' of Australia and our proud commercial fishers play a critical role in that.
"For commercial fishers to be able to save on average $900 each this financial year will be a relief to the hip pocket and allow them to potentially reinvest in their businesses and further support local jobs in the industry.
"Licence fees are charged on a cost recovery basis and by achieving departmental efficiencies the Marshall Liberal Government is able to pass savings on directly to our fishing sector.
"The reduced costs coincide with our historic $24.5 million reform of the marine scalefish fishery which has transitioned us from a 'nanny state' of regulation on how and when commercial fishers can ply their trade to a modern output-based fishery with annual catch limits set to ensure the sustainability of fish species for future years.
"We have introduced new measures to protect sustainability of species such as setting sustainable annual catch limits and allocated tradable quota units so fishers can better plan their operations to maximise returns.
"These changes mean much intrusive red tape historically imposed can be cut and we will continue to work with the industry to explore further options to reduce regulatory burdens."
"The Marshall Liberal Government is committed to growing South Australia's fishing industries and enhancing our reputation as the 'Seafood State'."
