Dear Minister Scriven and Deputy Premier Close,
Attached is correspondence from SA and National peak bodies RecFish SA and the Australian Fishing Tackle Association imploring immediate HAB response within the Coorong from state government, since K.M algae and fish kills have been discovered and documented.
RecFish SA and AFTA have a long history of providing timely, accurate and proactive advice for positive and responsible environmental outcomes, with current fisheries management and algae responses included. This has been true for many fisheries related issues over the current Labor government term- as recognised by all levels of state government.
The attached is in order to protect the Coorong and juvenile Mulloway, one of South Australia’s most important recreational fishing species alongside YT Kingfish and Snapper (collapsed stock, closed for 6 years).
The attached also includes important information PIRSA have historically provided to the Marine Stewardship Council regarding the Coorong and South Australian Mulloway stocks. The certification is being sought by the LCF, however still not successful under current fisheries management by PIRSA and DEW. A fisheries improvement process is in place for the LCF, however will not address MSC priority concerns and is creating long and drawn out delays threatening Mulloway collapse without immediate action with K.M algae moving quickly. Mulloway stock issues are being identified as of immediately, and a response is required.
Unfortunately all positive stock recovery and recruitment from increased flood flows in recent years has now been harvested as part of a 200 tonne mortality event in the 24-25 FY. The recreational sector and conservation bodies were hoping increased flows and floods may be a beneficial step forwards in securing increased spawning biomasses in the future to cause exponential breeding ability. These hopes are now gone, due to the management of PIRSA and lack of adaptive fisheries management- even with 3 years of significant community pressure for action. These scenarios are what occurs in flow-reliant fisheries where PIRSA refuses to apply TACC arrangements in order to ensure healthy, sustainable and fostered fisheries resulting in increased fish abundance, increased profits, higher fisher satisfaction and heightening biodiversity.
The LCF not being MSC certified is a significant risk to the image of South Australian seafood and as previously explained, significant concern is being raised through every department regarding the poor Mulloway management within South Australia, now resulting in significantly reduced recreational SE stock Mulloway catches outside of the Coorong (and West Coast- separate stock). This is quantified throughout the SA tackle industry and shop owners, recreational fishers, accommodation providers and the SARDI recreational fishing survey- with just 2 recorded Mulloway catches recreationally across the state.
Bearing in mind, RecFish SA were required to apply significant pressure on fisheries managers and the Minister for a repeated stock assessment of Goolwa Pipi in the Coorong, following commercial fishers and PIRSA ensuring the Minister and public no commercial mortality was being recorded across the Murray Mouth to Kingston section of beach. Email chains within the LCFMAC describe the Goolwa HAB as a ‘non event’ assuring members and stakeholders no commercial Pipi zone impact had been recorded. Thankfully pressure ensured no TACC was set until a repeat assessment was done. RecFish SA were single headedly responsible for ensuring this stock assessment reoccurred.
Recent stock assessment by PIRSA RecFish SA requested has just revealed a concerning 37% mortality event occurred between April 2025 and June 2025- one of the largest ever recorded in South Australian Pipi history.
RecFish SA were required to conduct an independent chartered flight to identify mortality events on the Coorong across the 90km beach objecting PIRSA and LCFMAC advice and assurances, at a personal cost to myself.
Thankfully the Pipi stock was in significant health prior to the HAB event and remains above the trigger reference point. If Pipis were not in such health, this push back from PIRSA and compliance staff and complacency of the department would likely have caused a Pipi stock collapse during 25-26 upon repeat setting of the TACC from previous year without an additional stock assessment.
The request for immediate action from Ministers is being requested in a similar advice environment.
Lakes and Coorong Fishery – MSC Public Comment Draft Report