Fish farming in South Australia

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Fish farming in South Australia is a major economic contributor to the state's seafood sector. The most valuable species is the Southern bluefin tuna, which is caught in the wild then transferred into sea cages in southern Spencer Gulf where they are fed locally caught sardines. The second most valuable species is the Yellowtail kingfish, which is farmed near Port Lincoln and Arno Bay. A tourist venture called Oceanic Victor located in Encounter Bay allows paying customers the opportunity to swim in a sea cage with the Southern bluefin tuna and handfeed the fish. Prominent companies in the fish farming sector in South Australia include Clean Seas and Tony's Tuna International.

Contents

Economics

The highest value fish in South Australia's seafood sector, and its major export earner, is the Southern bluefin tuna. Market competition for South Australian tuna comes from fish farms in the Mediterranean. [1] The primary market for Southern bluefin tuna is Japan and smaller markets exist in South Korea and China.

As of 2021, Australia's annual tuna catch quota is held by seven companies. Listed in order of largest quota held to smallest, they are: Australian Fishing Enterprises (established by Sam Sarin), Tony's Tuna International, Australian Tuna Fisheries (part of The Stehr Group, established by Hagen Stehr), Marnikol Fisheries, Sekol Farmed Tuna, Blaslov Fishing Group and Dinko Tuna Farmers. [2]

History

Sea cage fish farming in South Australia began at an experimental scale in the early 1990s. Since that time, South Australia has developed legislation and regulations for the industry. An Aquaculture Advisory Council composed of various industry, government and external stakeholders was formed to inform the process. Aquaculture zones for prescribed use have been established across the state's waters. Companies apply to the South Australian government to lease an area of water within these zones to grow certain permitted species. Some of the zones are shallow or otherwise unsuitable for fish farming and instead are allocated for Pacific oysters or blue mussels.

Port Lincoln Tuna Processors established a cannery in Port Lincoln in 1973 to serve the wild-caught fishery. In 2001, the shore-based tuna canning industry was Port Lincoln's largest user of potable water, and discharged its wastes to the waters of Proper Bay. Working with South Australia's EPA, Port Lincoln Tuna Processors was able to reduce its water use significantly. [3] The cannery ceased processing tuna in 2010, when John West took their production contracts offshore. In 2021, the company was facing the prospect of reducing its workforce dramatically due to a lack of contracts for the processing of other products. [4] In addition to canning, the factory is capable of packing products in a range of soft pouches. [5] In the 1980s, when tuna was more plentiful, there were five tuna canneries operating around Australia. [6]

Various accounts of kingfish escaping from sea cages, [7] [8] [9] some releasing tens of thousands of fish, [10] led to the eventual establishment of a public register by PIRSA, the industry regulator. [11] There were 35,000 confirmed escapes between 2001 and 2003 alone. [12] In several instances, damage was suspected to have been caused by boats, including on one occasion, a State government-operated boat. [13]

Kingston Council encouraged PIRSA to permit sea cages closer to shore in 2004. [14]

In 2006, three new aquaculture zones became available for finfish farming in Lacepede Bay. [15] Another three were created by new regulations designating zones in Anxious Bay, on the west coast of Eyre Peninsula, Port Neill on the Spencer Gulf, and at Rivoli Bay in the state's south-east. [16]

In 2006, Adelaide hosted the Australasian Aquaculture Conference. [17]

Between 2008 and 2011, tuna baron and kingfish farmer Hagen Stehr expressed his view that desalination brine from a proposed desalination plant would have widespread impacts on fish farming, wild fisheries and the giant Australian cuttlefish aggregation. [18] He also warned of a huge compensation claim should the water quality be impacted by mining-related activities. [19] His concerns were shared by other aquaculture and commercial fishing interests and supported by research by oceanographer, Jochen Kaempf. [20]

In 2011, a new 10,000 hectare zone for fish farming was proposed off Tumby Bay in southern Spencer Gulf. [21]

In 2011, conservations rejected the proposition of establishing a "Swim with the Tuna" tourist attraction on Kangaroo Island's north coast. [22] The proposal was later relocated to Encounter Bay, where it was established within a Habitat Protection Zone of the Encounter Marine Park. The attraction currently operates there under the name Oceanic Victor.

In 2012, Clean Seas yellowtail kingfish leases were abandoned after elevated fish mortalities from 2009 to 2011. The fish were suffering from a form of gut enteritis and secondary infections. [23]

In 2013, an additional 7500 hectares of lease area was made available for the farming of southern bluefin tuna, mussels and abalone south of Port Lincoln. Farms in the new lease area would benefit from deeper water and better flushing conditions than those closer inshore. [24]

In 2016, SARDI announced that they had developed a new feeding regime for yellowtail kingfish farmers that would help them maintain animal health during the winter to mitigate potential stock and financial losses. [25]

In the late 2010s, aquaculture quotas in South Australia were being leased to long-line Southern bluefin tuna fishers on Australia's east coast as that activity was proving more profitable than ranching. [26]

In the summer of 2020-2021, the tuna fleet had difficulty catching their quota. [27]

Criticism

Former Greens MLC Mark Parnell raised concerns that the industry and the way aquaculture zones were being managed was effectively privatising the coastline. [28] He also warned of the threat of the spread of seacages and pollution of the seabed if the industry was allowed to grow without constraint. [29]

Vocal critics of the scale and frequency of Yellowtail kingfish escapes, including Allan Suter, called for a ban on kingfish farming entirely in 2003. [30]

An attempt to establish finfish farming at Wool Bay in GUlf St Vincent was rejected by SARFAC, the South Australian Recreational Fishing Council on grounds that the location was inappropriate. [31] The farm was not established.

In 2005, conservationists raised concerns about the growing prospect of the aquaculture industry taking precedence over the establishment of state managed marine parks and the conservation of threatened species. The Conservation Council of South Australia called for a moratorium on new aquaculture developments, but was unsuccessful. [32] The Wilderness Society also supported the moratorium call after marine debris from an abalone farm was distributed along 170 km of coastline following a storm. [33]

In 2006, two casually-employed fish farm workers from Whyalla were told to go home by their employer SAAMS after participating in a protected industrial action. [34]

Since the early 2000s, occasional escapes of yellowtail kingfish have occurred. [35] These are often reported by fishermen before the growers, and can number in the tens of thousands per event. [36] [37] On one occasion, fish farmers suspected an act of sabotage resulted in the release of 10,000 kingfish. [35]

Fish farm nutrient pollution has impacted Louth Bay in southern Spencer Gulf, where it led to seagrass loss and algal blooms in the mid 2000s. Residents argued that the bay, which is semi-enclosed by Louth Island and Rabbit Island is a slow flushing system unsuitable for fish farming. [38]

In 2008, some recreational anglers expressed their disapproval of the industry, noting escapes of farmed fish, marine debris and the loss of amenity. [39]

In the 2010s, two proposals to establish as "Swim with the tuna" attraction outside Port Lincoln were made. A proposal for the north coast of Kangaroo Island did not proceed. It was opposed by conservationists. [40] A similar proposal followed in 2015. Locals to the Encounter Bay region, most notably surfers, opposed the establishment of a tourist attraction based on Port Lincoln's "Swim with the Tuna" venture. A court challenge was mounted but was unsuccessful. The business is now operating near Granite Island as Oceanic Victor.

The use of wild caught fish can impact the wider ecosystem by prey depletion. South Australian biotechnologist Andrew Ward has researched ways to mimic natural systems to derive feedstock from waste streams from other animal industries that could reduce or eliminate the need for wild caught fish in farmed fish feed. [41]

Marine debris is another form of pollution stemming from fish farming operations. While this cannot be mitigated entirely, operators engage with local communities with coast care projects and beach clean-ups as a means of offsetting their environmental impact. [42] [43] [44] A Fitzgerald Bay resident described the smell of dead fish and marine debris as major disappointments of the industry's activity in upper Spencer Gulf between the late 1990s and 2012. [45]

Related Research Articles

Mariculture Cultivation of marine organisms in the open ocean

Mariculture or marine farming is a specialized branch of aquaculture involving the cultivation of marine organisms for food and other animal products, in enclosed sections of the open ocean, fish farms built on littoral waters, or in artificial tanks, ponds or raceways which are filled with seawater. An example of the latter is the farming of marine fish, including finfish and shellfish like prawns, or oysters and seaweed in saltwater ponds. Non-food products produced by mariculture include: fish meal, nutrient agar, jewellery, and cosmetics.

Port Lincoln City in South Australia

Port Lincoln is a city on the Lower Eyre Peninsula in the Australian state of South Australia. It is situated on the shore of Boston Bay, which opens eastward into Spencer Gulf. It is the largest city in the West Coast region, and is located approximately 280 km as the crow flies from the State's capital city of Adelaide. In June 2019 Port Lincoln had an estimated population of 16,418, having grown at an average annual rate of 0.55% year-on-year over the preceding five years. The city is reputed to have the most millionaires per capita in Australia, as well as claiming to be Australia's "Seafood Capital".

Eyre Peninsula South Australia

The Eyre Peninsula is a triangular peninsula in South Australia. It is bounded on the east by Spencer Gulf, the west by the Great Australian Bight, and the north by the Gawler Ranges.

Yellowtail amberjack Species of fish

The yellowtail amberjack, yellowtail kingfish or great amberjack is a large fish found in the Southern Ocean. Although previously thought to be found in all oceans and seas, recent genetic analysis restricts S. lalandi proper to the Southern Hemisphere waters. However, they are found in northern hemisphere waters during certain times of the year. The fish was given its name by Monsieur de Lalande, a naturalist who first informed Valenciennes of the existence of this species. No one is sure why he used the word Seriola to name the fish, but the second word lalandi was derived from his surname Lalande.

<i>Sepia apama</i> Species of cephalopod known as the giant cuttlefish and Australian giant cuttlefish

Sepia apama, also known as the giant cuttlefish and Australian giant cuttlefish, is the world's largest cuttlefish species, growing to 50 cm (20 in) in mantle length and over 10.5 kg (23 lb) in weight. Using cells known as chromatophores, the cuttlefish can put on spectacular displays, changing color in an instant. Sepia apama is native to temperate and subtropical waters of Australia, from Brisbane in Queensland to Shark Bay in Western Australia and Tasmania to the south. It occurs on rocky reefs, seagrass beds, and sand and mud seafloor to a depth of 100 metres. In 2009 the species was listed at Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to an observed declining trend at that time.

Southern bluefin tuna Species of fish

The southern bluefin tuna is a tuna of the family Scombridae found in open southern Hemisphere waters of all the world's oceans mainly between 30°S and 50°S, to nearly 60°S. At up to 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) and weighing up to 260 kilograms (570 lb), it is among the larger bony fishes.

<i>Sardinops</i> Genus of fishes

Sardinops is a monotypic genus of sardines of the family Clupeidae. The only member of the genus is Sardinops sagax. It is found in the Indo-Pacific and East Pacific oceans. Its length is up to 40 cm (16 in). It has numerous common or vernacular names, some of which more appropriately refer to subspecies, including blue pilchard, Australian pilchard, blue-bait, Californian pilchard, Peruvian Pacific sardine(S. s. sagax), South American pilchard, Chilean sardine, Japanese pilchard, Pacific sardine, and Southern African pilchard.

Aquaculture in Australia

Aquaculture in Australia is the country's fastest growing primary industry, accounting for 34% of the total gross value of production of seafood. 10 species of fish are farmed in Australia, and production is dominated by southern bluefin tuna, Atlantic salmon and barramundi. Mud crabs have also been cultivated in Australia for many years, sometimes leading to over-exploitation. Traditionally, this aquaculture was limited to pearls, but since the early 1970s, there has been significant research and commercial development of other forms of aquaculture, including finfish, crustaceans, and molluscs.

Offshore aquaculture

Offshore aquaculture, also known as open water aquaculture or open ocean aquaculture, is an emerging approach to mariculture where fish farms are positioned in deeper and less sheltered waters some distance away from the coast, where the cultivated fish stocks are exposed to more naturalistic living conditions with stronger ocean currents and more diverse nutrient flow. Existing "offshore" developments fall mainly into the category of exposed areas rather than fully offshore. As maritime classification society DNV GL has stated, development and knowledge-building are needed in several fields for the available deeper water opportunities to be realized.

Saltwater fish Fish that live all or much of their lives in seawater

Saltwater fish, also called marine fish, are fish that live in ocean water. Saltwater fish can swim and live alone or in a large group called a school.

Dr Hagen Heinz Stehr AO is a German-born multi-millionaire businessman, tuna fisherman and founder of the Stehr Group.

Brian Jeffriess is the primary spokesperson for Australia's Southern bluefin tuna fishing and aquaculture industry. He lives in Port Lincoln, South Australia and is the chief executive for the Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association. He is a current member of the Australian Maritime and Fisheries Academy, the Commonwealth Fisheries Association, the Aquaculture Advisory Committee and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Advisory Committee. Jeffriess features regularly in the Port Lincoln Times newspaper, where he relates the industry's activities and interests to his local community. He attends the international Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna meetings and works closely with industry and government. On 26 January 2012 Jeffriess was awarded Member of the Order of Australia "for service to the fishing and aquaculture industries as a contributor to the sustainable management and harvesting of Australian fisheries and through national and international professional associations." He has also been awarded State and National Seafood Icon status.

Oceanic Victor

Oceanic Victor is an Australian privately owned company which runs marine tourism facilities on and adjacent to Granite Island, Encounter Bay, South Australia. The company's main attraction is a floating at-sea aquarium containing Southern blue fin tuna and other marine species. The facility is located within a Habitat Protection Zone of the Encounter Marine Park and opened to the public on 2 September 2017. Since 2019 it has been open intermittently while work has been undertaken on the causeway to Granite Island and owing to COVID19 restrictions in 2020. As of 2021, the attraction is in Port Lincoln where it is undergoing maintenance. It is expected to reopen in 2022 once work on the causeway is complete.

Rob Lewis is a South Australian marine scientist and retired senior civil servant. He discovered the first known upwelling system in southern Australia and was professionally involved in fisheries and aquaculture management for 38 years. He was head of South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) from 1992 to 2010.

Craig Foster is the CEO of Clean Seas, an ASX-listed Australian seafood company with interests in southern bluefin tuna and yellowtail kingfish farming. He was appointed to the position in 2012 after working in the salmon farming industry in Tasmania. There he managed research and development at the state's largest salmon hatchery and also worked as the Managing Director of fish feed producer, Gibsons Ltd. In 2001, he was working for Pivot, and assisting in the development of barramundi farms in the Northern Territory.

Clean Seas Seafood Ltd is an Australian seafood production company specialising in the sea-cage aquaculture of Yellowtail kingfish. It was established by The Stehr Group in 2000, and became the first Australian company fish farming in South Australia to be listed on the ASX in 2005. The company was established by "tuna baron" Hagen Stehr, whose son Marcus remains one of the company's directors. Clean Seas has shore and sea-based fish farming facilities at Arno Bay, aquaculture leases in Fitzgerald Bay and near Port Lincoln and a processing facility at Royal Park in Adelaide. Its tuna interests were originally held by the private company Australian Tuna Fisheries Pty Ltd. Clean Seas' ambition to control and commercialise the lifecycle of the Southern bluefin tuna has not been realised.

Fitzgerald Bay

Fitzgerald Bay is a large bay located between Point Lowly and Backy Point in South Australia's upper Spencer Gulf. The bay's shoreline consists mostly of pebble beaches and sparse grey mangroves. In the 2000s the bay was used for the farming of yellowtail kingfish until their closure circa 2011 in response to high levels of fish mortality. Understanding of the environmental impacts of yellowtail kingfish farming is limited. As of 2021, fish farming has not returned to Fitzgerald Bay, but aquaculture zones remain in place, and Clean Seas is authorised to restock fish farms there. There are approximately forty shacks and coastal homes sparsely distributed along the fringe of Fitzgerald Bay whose interests are represented by the Cultana Jenkins Shackowners' Association.

Sime "Sam" Sarin was a Croatian fisherman and businessperson instrumental in the development of the Southern bluefin tuna ranching industry and property development in the town of Port Lincoln in South Australia.

Fish farming inWestern Australia is an experimental part of the state's seafood sector. Prominent operators and lessees include Indian Ocean Fresh Australia and Huon Aquaculture, and the primary commercial species are yellowtail kingfish in the Mid West aquaculture zone and barramundi in the Kimberley aquaculture zone. Pink snapper is another species considered as a sea cage fish farming prospect. The Mid West aquaculture zone lies between Geraldton and the Abrolhos Islands, and the Kimberly aquaculture zone is in Cone Bay north of Derby. The sector is represented by Erica Starling as spokesperson for the Marine Fishfarmers Association.

Anthony Cheshire is a scientist, former public servant and former Chief Professor of SARDI Aquatic Sciences in South Australia (2000-2005). During his time in the role, his research work supported the development of the state's Southern bluefin tuna seacage aquaculture sector. He also participated in various scientific discoveries, including the discovery of 8 new species of jellyfish collected from the Great Australian Bight and other field research trips.

References

  1. ↑ "Figures highlight drop in SA aquaculture value". www.abc.net.au. 2006-07-11. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  2. ↑ Webber, Claire. "Industry Members". Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association LTD (ASBTIA). Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  3. ↑ https://www.epa.sa.gov.au/files/8326_cppltp.pdf
  4. ↑ Delaney, Jarrad (2021-04-08). "Jobs on the line as Port Lincoln Tuna Processors' contracts dry up". Port Lincoln Times. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  5. ↑ "PLTP | Capabilities". www.pltp.com.au. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  6. ↑ "John West rejects Australian tuna cannery". www.abc.net.au. 2010-02-22. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
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  26. ↑ "Bluefin tuna focus turns to east coast". www.abc.net.au. 2016-07-26. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  27. ↑ "Dozens of vessels, planes search for tuna to save fishing season". www.abc.net.au. 2021-01-19. Retrieved 2021-05-08.
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  31. ↑ "Fishing group opposes finfish plan". www.abc.net.au. 2003-09-15. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
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  34. ↑ "Union unhappy over aquaculture workers treatment". www.abc.net.au. 2006-02-24. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  35. 1 2 "Police ponder kingfish outbreak". www.abc.net.au. 2003-04-20. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
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  39. ↑ "Anglers worried about aquaculture". www.abc.net.au. 2008-01-31. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  40. ↑ "KI swim with tuna plan defended". www.abc.net.au. 2011-07-28. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  41. ↑ "Researcher turns pig poo into fish food". www.abc.net.au. 2010-07-07. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  42. ↑ "Some scepticism about Eyre Peninsula beach clean-up plan". www.abc.net.au. 2012-03-21. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  43. ↑ "Authorities promise to fight aquaculture pollution". www.abc.net.au. 2011-09-12. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  44. ↑ "Aquaculture industry to clear marine debris". www.abc.net.au. 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  45. ↑ "Tourism, industry or both? How a fish farm divided this regional city". www.abc.net.au. 2020-11-08. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
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