Aquaculture Process needs review

AUSTRALIA - Aquaculture management is in urgent need of review, according to West Coast Professional Fisher's Association president Alan Suter.

Mr Suter said the application process for the abalone farm proposed for north of Waldegrave Island at Elliston had highlighted flaws in Primary Industries and Resources SA Aquaculture processes.

Speaking at a public meeting in Elliston on Tuesday night Mr Suter said Australian Bight Aquaculture's application stated there would be no interaction with other recreational or commercial users, yet he said there was significant use of the areas in question by other fishers.

"Immediately there is 120 hectares locked up so it's no longer available to commercial and recreational fishers," he said.

Mr Suter said there needed to be compulsory consultation with the local community prior to applications being lodged.

He said PIRSA Aquaculture should require applicants to formally meet with and gain the approval of recreational and professional fishing groups before going ahead with an application.

PIRSA Aquaculture division executive director Ian Nightingale did not attend the meeting, but in an interview with the Port Lincoln Times yesterday said it was important to realise PIRSA was still only at the very beginning of the approval process and this was the first of two public consultation periods.

Source: PortLicolnTimes