The Marshall Liberal Government will expand its $24.5 million historic reform of the Marine Scalefish Fishery (MSF) to benefit more South Australian fishers following extensive consultations.
Consultations have been held across the south east, the gulfs and west coast, and there is two weeks remaining to take advantage of the voluntary licence surrender program.
Key changes to the reform include allowing vongole and sardine fishers to separate from the Marine Scalefish Fishery and take advantage of the State Government's voluntary licence surrender program and increasing the amount of King George whiting able to be caught on the west coast in line with the latest fisheries science.
Long-standing fishers with un-amalgamated licences will also receive higher base quota allocations as a result of a decision to treat them the same as fishers holding amalgamated licences.
On the West Coast, King George whiting will no longer be subjected to individual quota and will have an allowable commercial catch of 473 tonnes for the 2021-22 season.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said the changes were made after extensive consultations and receiving independent expert advice from an appointed quota allocation panel.
"Our historic $24.5 million Marine Scalefish Fishery reform package is vitally important and is aimed at improving the profitability of seafood businesses and improving the long-term sustainability of fish stocks in South Australia," Minister Basham said.
"We are also committed to reducing red tape to drive greater efficiencies in fishing operations.
"Throughout the reform process we have always relied on the best available science, independent expert advice and we have consulted directly with licence holders.
"Industry feedback, along with supporting scientific advice has enabled us to make several important changes to the implementation of this reform including separating vongole and sardines from the Marine Scalefish Fishery and managing King George whiting stocks on the West Coast without the need to set individual quotas.
"The separation of vongole and sardines will allow these licence holders to take part in the State Government's voluntary licence surrender program without losing their catch entitlement for vongole and sardine. This reform will take additional fishing pressure off snapper, whiting, garfish and calamari.
"We have agreed with most recommendations of the independent allocation panel, except we will allow all rock lobster fishers with catch history to receive a quota allocation and equal treatment of amalgamated and un-amalgamated licence holders.
"Individual fishers will be advised of their revised indicative individual quotas for priority species in the coming week.
"We are aware that for many fishers in the sector, this is a difficult time and to further assist them from tomorrow (November 1) we are also commencing an exceptional circumstances process for the allocation of individual transferable quotas.
"Other aspects of the reformed fishery include the confirmed boundaries for the four management zones and a simple, free online quota trading platform for the first 12 months, to assist licence holders adjust their businesses as part of the reformed MSF.
"We believe these reform measures will unlock the fishery's potential, enable the development of flourishing and profitable seafood businesses and ensure we have sustainable fish stocks into the future, underpinning the future of our commercial fishing sector for decades to come."
Minister Basham said the State Government's preferred reform framework should assist fishers in determining their future in the fishery before the voluntary licence surrender program closes in two weeks on 13 November.
"We established this voluntary licence surrender program as one of the initial steps in the reform process to provide licence holders the opportunity to exit from the industry before the reforms are fully implemented on 1 July next year," Minister Basham said.
"This will be the only licence surrender process, so for those still considering their future in the fishery, including vongole and sardine fishers, time is of the essence if you are considering taking advantage of this offer."
For more information on the reform process visit https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/msf-reform
