1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:02,800 Speaker 1: Well, as you've been hearing today on five Double A News, 2 00:00:02,840 --> 00:00:07,560 Speaker 1: the Premier, Peter Melanowskas, has unveiled sweeping fishing restrictions across 3 00:00:07,720 --> 00:00:11,880 Speaker 1: SA waters. The latest data shows a huge decline in 4 00:00:12,039 --> 00:00:15,000 Speaker 1: fish stocks as a result of the algill bloom, particularly 5 00:00:15,080 --> 00:00:19,079 Speaker 1: things like gar king, George widing, Kalamari to name a few, 6 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:23,800 Speaker 1: just really devastated. Bag limits and all species for recreational 7 00:00:23,880 --> 00:00:28,320 Speaker 1: fishes in the Gulf will be halved. Commercial fishing banned 8 00:00:28,400 --> 00:00:32,960 Speaker 1: in Gulf Saint Vincent and around Ki temporarily from November one. 9 00:00:33,400 --> 00:00:35,520 Speaker 1: This is a little bit of the Premier talking about 10 00:00:35,560 --> 00:00:39,400 Speaker 1: the changes in respect to recreational fishing for all fish 11 00:00:39,400 --> 00:00:41,800 Speaker 1: in the marine scar fishery for all species. We are 12 00:00:42,159 --> 00:00:46,600 Speaker 1: halving the bag limit and the by limit. To compensate, 13 00:00:46,680 --> 00:00:49,479 Speaker 1: the state government is halving the cost of boat and 14 00:00:49,560 --> 00:00:53,400 Speaker 1: trailer registration fees. From December one, boat ramp access will 15 00:00:53,440 --> 00:00:56,680 Speaker 1: be free for a year. The restrictions to remain in 16 00:00:56,720 --> 00:01:01,040 Speaker 1: place until June thirty next year, subject to some scientific reviews. 17 00:01:01,440 --> 00:01:04,520 Speaker 1: The oppositions take on this on the line, I have 18 00:01:04,640 --> 00:01:09,240 Speaker 1: Nikola senta Fanti, who is a front bencher for the 19 00:01:09,360 --> 00:01:12,880 Speaker 1: Liberal Party and in primary industries Nicholas sent a fanti 20 00:01:12,959 --> 00:01:15,920 Speaker 1: good evening. The opposition's been calling for a plan a 21 00:01:15,959 --> 00:01:19,880 Speaker 1: fishing plant for some time regarding the algill bloom. Does 22 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:20,880 Speaker 1: this go far enough? 23 00:01:21,760 --> 00:01:23,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, good evening, Matthew, thanks for having me. 24 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:24,280 Speaker 1: Yeah. 25 00:01:24,360 --> 00:01:27,679 Speaker 2: Look, you know, I think today's announcement by the Labor 26 00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:32,640 Speaker 2: government is unfortunately another example of the premiere arriving a 27 00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:36,320 Speaker 2: little late to a crisis and expecting a round of 28 00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:39,399 Speaker 2: applause for finally doing what industry has been crying out 29 00:01:40,240 --> 00:01:42,760 Speaker 2: for the government to do for months. You know, fishes 30 00:01:42,800 --> 00:01:46,400 Speaker 2: have been raising the alarm, certainly commercial fishes, but also 31 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:50,920 Speaker 2: recreational fishes since early winter, you know, basically telling anyone 32 00:01:50,960 --> 00:01:55,800 Speaker 2: who would listen that their catchers had collapsed. Commercial fishes, 33 00:01:56,080 --> 00:01:59,000 Speaker 2: you know, are legally required to report their catch every 34 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:02,160 Speaker 2: time they're on the wall, so the data was there. 35 00:02:02,200 --> 00:02:04,320 Speaker 2: In fact, I was out a number of weeks ago 36 00:02:05,520 --> 00:02:08,959 Speaker 2: calling on the government asking them why they needed a 37 00:02:09,040 --> 00:02:14,600 Speaker 2: rapid stock assessment when they have access to the commercial 38 00:02:14,639 --> 00:02:18,960 Speaker 2: fishes reporting of their daily catch. So, you know, my 39 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:21,480 Speaker 2: question really is is why did the government sit on 40 00:02:21,520 --> 00:02:24,400 Speaker 2: its hands for so long before acting? You know, I 41 00:02:24,400 --> 00:02:28,000 Speaker 2: mean it's harmful. Algal bloom has been impacting our coastline 42 00:02:28,040 --> 00:02:31,520 Speaker 2: for the best part of eight months. And you know, 43 00:02:31,720 --> 00:02:35,200 Speaker 2: only now are we seeing the government outlining a longer 44 00:02:35,320 --> 00:02:38,040 Speaker 2: term plan. And again, you know, we've been calling on 45 00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:42,040 Speaker 2: a medium to long term plan for you know, just 46 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:47,400 Speaker 2: not just the ecological but the economical sustainability of the 47 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:51,640 Speaker 2: fishing sector. And you know, I think the reality is 48 00:02:51,639 --> 00:02:54,639 Speaker 2: is that the government wire caught napping back in February 49 00:02:54,720 --> 00:02:57,639 Speaker 2: and March, and because of that they now continue to 50 00:02:57,680 --> 00:02:59,919 Speaker 2: be behind the eight ball. And I think there is 51 00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:05,760 Speaker 2: no doubt that these continual delays in announcements have compounded 52 00:03:05,760 --> 00:03:08,080 Speaker 2: the damage both to fish stocks and to the families 53 00:03:08,120 --> 00:03:09,880 Speaker 2: and businesses who depend on them. 54 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:14,120 Speaker 1: The seafood industry are welcoming the move and you know, 55 00:03:14,280 --> 00:03:17,160 Speaker 1: saying it's unprecedented, all the rest what you'd expect them 56 00:03:17,200 --> 00:03:19,639 Speaker 1: to say. The hardest journey, I think is the quote 57 00:03:19,720 --> 00:03:21,720 Speaker 1: we have had in the history of commercial fishing in 58 00:03:21,760 --> 00:03:26,160 Speaker 1: South Australia. But there really isn't anything else the government 59 00:03:26,200 --> 00:03:27,160 Speaker 1: could have done, is there? 60 00:03:28,360 --> 00:03:33,800 Speaker 2: Well, look, you know certainly the government can't you control well, 61 00:03:34,360 --> 00:03:38,680 Speaker 2: I mean, and our goabloom will occur naturally. But I 62 00:03:38,720 --> 00:03:40,880 Speaker 2: think the fact that the government sat on its hands 63 00:03:40,880 --> 00:03:42,800 Speaker 2: for so long. You know, there are a lot of 64 00:03:42,840 --> 00:03:46,560 Speaker 2: people out there questioning in terms of, you know, why 65 00:03:46,560 --> 00:03:49,680 Speaker 2: did the alglebloom get to the size it was, And 66 00:03:49,920 --> 00:03:52,600 Speaker 2: you know, I think again we really have to ask 67 00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:56,680 Speaker 2: the question, you know, if the government had actors, you know, 68 00:03:56,800 --> 00:04:00,480 Speaker 2: been proactive back in February and March, and listen to 69 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:03,120 Speaker 2: the scientists, by the way, who are actually telling the 70 00:04:03,160 --> 00:04:05,240 Speaker 2: federal government back in twenty twenty three that this was 71 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:10,360 Speaker 2: an absolute risk, why didn't they act when they needed 72 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:14,160 Speaker 2: to act? And you know, because of that, you know, 73 00:04:14,520 --> 00:04:18,920 Speaker 2: are we will they continue to be behind the eight ball. 74 00:04:19,680 --> 00:04:23,160 Speaker 2: And I think there's no doubt that we are seeing 75 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:29,040 Speaker 2: damages compound because the government caught nothing, and that's really unfortunate. 76 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:30,840 Speaker 2: You know, I do want to say that we do 77 00:04:30,920 --> 00:04:34,760 Speaker 2: welcome the measures that finally look towards the medium to 78 00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:41,520 Speaker 2: long term, including steps towards a voluntary license surrender for 79 00:04:42,160 --> 00:04:45,600 Speaker 2: those in the fishing sector who want to exit the industry. 80 00:04:45,640 --> 00:04:47,919 Speaker 2: You know, we've said from the outset that a proper 81 00:04:47,960 --> 00:04:51,760 Speaker 2: response has to recognize and not everyone within the fishing 82 00:04:51,839 --> 00:04:54,400 Speaker 2: sector can or wants to write out this storm. And 83 00:04:54,640 --> 00:04:58,880 Speaker 2: you know, voluntary buybacks are a compassionate, sensible way to 84 00:04:59,000 --> 00:05:03,080 Speaker 2: help those fishes who want to exit the industry with dignity, 85 00:05:03,160 --> 00:05:08,719 Speaker 2: whilst ensuring that the fishery can rebuild sustainability. But Matthew, 86 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:10,760 Speaker 2: I'm not sure why we need to spend five hundred 87 00:05:10,760 --> 00:05:15,400 Speaker 2: thousand dollars on a study regarding voluntary buybacks. What we'd 88 00:05:15,480 --> 00:05:19,440 Speaker 2: like to have seen as a government commitment towards voluntary buybacks. 89 00:05:19,480 --> 00:05:21,440 Speaker 2: You know, again, most people in industry are telling me 90 00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:23,200 Speaker 2: that this is something that they want to see as 91 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:28,280 Speaker 2: an option, and again, doing a study just delays that fact. 92 00:05:28,760 --> 00:05:32,760 Speaker 2: We've been calling for a clear sustainable plan for quite 93 00:05:32,760 --> 00:05:36,240 Speaker 2: some time to not just support fishes, but to protect 94 00:05:36,279 --> 00:05:39,200 Speaker 2: those stocks and secure the future of the industry. And 95 00:05:39,520 --> 00:05:42,200 Speaker 2: you know, the government might finally be listening, but they 96 00:05:42,200 --> 00:05:46,480 Speaker 2: are playing catch up and they continue to delay, particularly 97 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:48,760 Speaker 2: when it comes to voluntary buybacks, and I think fishes 98 00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:49,360 Speaker 2: deserve better. 99 00:05:49,560 --> 00:05:53,359 Speaker 1: Okay, So have you heard from fishes whose livelihoods have 100 00:05:53,560 --> 00:05:56,960 Speaker 1: ended as a result of this Look, I've. 101 00:05:56,720 --> 00:06:00,760 Speaker 2: Heard from a number of fishes who have decided or 102 00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:05,200 Speaker 2: are deciding to move into state because they don't see 103 00:06:05,480 --> 00:06:11,240 Speaker 2: a future within South Australia or within the fishing sector here. 104 00:06:11,680 --> 00:06:15,000 Speaker 2: In South Australia and that is why we've been calling 105 00:06:15,040 --> 00:06:19,080 Speaker 2: on the government for weeks, if not months now to 106 00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:22,239 Speaker 2: release this medium to long term plan because we cannot 107 00:06:22,279 --> 00:06:25,640 Speaker 2: afford to lose these skills. These are skilled people. These 108 00:06:25,640 --> 00:06:29,640 Speaker 2: are fishes who have been you know, catching stock out 109 00:06:29,640 --> 00:06:34,360 Speaker 2: on our oceans, providing you know, South Australian families with 110 00:06:34,440 --> 00:06:39,680 Speaker 2: the fresh protein that we all want. And you know 111 00:06:39,760 --> 00:06:44,080 Speaker 2: they are now a lot of them are thinking, well, 112 00:06:44,200 --> 00:06:46,640 Speaker 2: you know, are we viable into the future, and some 113 00:06:46,680 --> 00:06:49,920 Speaker 2: of them have suggested, or some of them are suggesting 114 00:06:49,960 --> 00:06:53,839 Speaker 2: to the opposition that in fact, you know, they're looking 115 00:06:53,839 --> 00:06:56,119 Speaker 2: to move into State because they don't see that medium 116 00:06:56,160 --> 00:06:59,320 Speaker 2: to long term future here for and that's a real concern. 117 00:06:59,440 --> 00:07:02,160 Speaker 1: Absolutely. It is because you know, they take jobs with 118 00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:05,600 Speaker 1: them ultimately and the money they spend into State caught 119 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:07,680 Speaker 1: and should be spent here in essay, so you know, 120 00:07:07,720 --> 00:07:11,320 Speaker 1: it has a flow on effect. You are the opposition obviously, 121 00:07:11,520 --> 00:07:15,800 Speaker 1: but from and I'm getting questions already about this for 122 00:07:15,840 --> 00:07:18,440 Speaker 1: people who go fishing opjetics just to catch your feet. 123 00:07:18,640 --> 00:07:21,960 Speaker 1: Are they affected by this this ban, this half bag 124 00:07:22,760 --> 00:07:24,440 Speaker 1: limit that has been imposed. 125 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:28,080 Speaker 2: Well, look, I think when it comes to recreational fishes. 126 00:07:28,600 --> 00:07:31,080 Speaker 2: You know, having the half bag limit and the half 127 00:07:31,160 --> 00:07:35,680 Speaker 2: boat limit absolutely does have an effect on them, you know, 128 00:07:35,760 --> 00:07:38,840 Speaker 2: and that is certainly why we would like to see 129 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:43,400 Speaker 2: other initiatives to encourage recreational fishes in other waterways across 130 00:07:43,480 --> 00:07:47,000 Speaker 2: our state. And in fact, we as an opposition announced 131 00:07:47,400 --> 00:07:52,440 Speaker 2: just last weekend our plan for recreational fishing here in 132 00:07:52,480 --> 00:07:58,200 Speaker 2: South Australia in the freshwater location. So our plan off 133 00:07:58,240 --> 00:08:00,480 Speaker 2: Go Fish essay is a ten point five mins dollar 134 00:08:00,560 --> 00:08:05,040 Speaker 2: investment in a native hatchery based here in South Australia 135 00:08:05,080 --> 00:08:09,080 Speaker 2: to boost our native fish stocks in our freshworder locations 136 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:12,960 Speaker 2: you know, the Murray River and various reservoirs across the States. 137 00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:16,480 Speaker 2: Because you know, it's got to be about building recreational 138 00:08:16,480 --> 00:08:22,000 Speaker 2: fishing opportunities and you know, strengthening our regional economies and 139 00:08:22,040 --> 00:08:24,920 Speaker 2: supporting tourism. So we've called on the government to match 140 00:08:24,960 --> 00:08:29,600 Speaker 2: that commitment because it's not just about protecting what's under threats, 141 00:08:29,720 --> 00:08:31,880 Speaker 2: is about investing in the future of our fisheries and 142 00:08:31,920 --> 00:08:32,880 Speaker 2: regional communities. 143 00:08:33,280 --> 00:08:38,480 Speaker 1: Just finally, Nicholas Stefan, he has any of the industry groups, 144 00:08:38,480 --> 00:08:42,040 Speaker 1: seafood groups told you that potentially as a result of 145 00:08:42,080 --> 00:08:45,560 Speaker 1: fish stocks being decimated and now obviously fish is having 146 00:08:45,559 --> 00:08:48,960 Speaker 1: to go to other sites and maybe costing them more 147 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:51,400 Speaker 1: money in fuel and everything else to catch fish for 148 00:08:52,080 --> 00:08:54,640 Speaker 1: the dinner table. That the price of fish is going 149 00:08:54,679 --> 00:08:55,120 Speaker 1: to rights. 150 00:08:56,679 --> 00:08:59,800 Speaker 2: Oh look, I think you know, what we know is 151 00:08:59,880 --> 00:09:04,880 Speaker 2: the you know, most things are related to supply and demand, 152 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:09,000 Speaker 2: and when your supply drops and the demand is still there, 153 00:09:09,679 --> 00:09:12,640 Speaker 2: then there's you know, then it is likely it is 154 00:09:12,720 --> 00:09:17,240 Speaker 2: highly likely that we will see prices rise. But I 155 00:09:17,240 --> 00:09:20,560 Speaker 2: think it's important though, you know, as South Australians that 156 00:09:20,559 --> 00:09:25,880 Speaker 2: we absolutely continue to support our South Australian seafood industry. 157 00:09:25,960 --> 00:09:29,360 Speaker 2: You know, we need to be buy fish, you know, 158 00:09:29,600 --> 00:09:33,360 Speaker 2: and my family is a great supporter of the South 159 00:09:33,400 --> 00:09:36,160 Speaker 2: Australian seafood industry. I'm a great supporter of the South 160 00:09:36,160 --> 00:09:41,320 Speaker 2: Australian seafood industry. We have some of the best seafood. 161 00:09:41,400 --> 00:09:45,960 Speaker 2: I think we had the best seafood in the nation. 162 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:49,920 Speaker 2: So you know, really we want to encourage people to 163 00:09:50,320 --> 00:09:54,280 Speaker 2: and we know it's safe to eat our commercial seafood, 164 00:09:54,360 --> 00:10:00,679 Speaker 2: So really encouraging South Australians to get behind our seafood industry, 165 00:10:01,280 --> 00:10:06,560 Speaker 2: you know, certainly now and across the summer and into 166 00:10:06,640 --> 00:10:09,320 Speaker 2: next year. You know. I think the other thing as well, 167 00:10:09,320 --> 00:10:12,240 Speaker 2: Matthew to point out is that what the industry needs 168 00:10:12,400 --> 00:10:18,200 Speaker 2: now is not red tape, but a genuine streamline support process, 169 00:10:18,440 --> 00:10:20,600 Speaker 2: and I think one that gets real assistance out the 170 00:10:20,600 --> 00:10:24,040 Speaker 2: door quickly for those people who are hurting the most. 171 00:10:24,120 --> 00:10:27,000 Speaker 2: And I would certainly hope that for those marine scale 172 00:10:27,080 --> 00:10:31,120 Speaker 2: fishers who have had their sector close today, that their 173 00:10:31,160 --> 00:10:34,640 Speaker 2: grants are automatic once they've established their loss of income 174 00:10:34,720 --> 00:10:38,319 Speaker 2: through that closure, that they're not having to continuously submit 175 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:42,200 Speaker 2: an application for a grant every three months until the 176 00:10:42,240 --> 00:10:47,160 Speaker 2: fishery reopens. So I'd like to see ensure that the government. 177 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:50,520 Speaker 2: I'd like to see the government ensuring that there is 178 00:10:50,559 --> 00:10:54,400 Speaker 2: that streamline support process for those commercial fishers who you 179 00:10:54,440 --> 00:10:57,240 Speaker 2: know today have had their fishery clothes. 180 00:10:57,360 --> 00:10:59,680 Speaker 1: Well, we don't want fishing lines replaced with red tape. 181 00:10:59,880 --> 00:11:02,800 Speaker 1: The sure Nicola Saider Fany, thank you very much for your. 182 00:11:02,640 --> 00:11:04,880 Speaker 2: Time tonight, thanks for having me with you. 183 00:11:05,080 --> 00:11:07,000 Speaker 1: The Shadow Primary Industries Minister