Dear Mr Baldwin
Thank you again for meeting with me in October 2025, and for your follow-up correspondence regarding recreational fishing restrictions in South Australia. I have also appreciated you providing my office with information regarding the outcomes of the Let’s Fish SA and Junior Tackle Box programs.
The South Australian government has been proud to partner with AFTA in rolling out the Let’s Fish SA campaign – driving traffic to fishing and tackle stores and encouraging the community to continue engaging in recreational fishing.
I am also pleased to hear of the initial positive rollout of the Junior Tackle Box program, which provides a free kids tackle box alongside eligible purchases in participating stores.
As you are aware, the unprecedented algal bloom has significantly impacted our state’s marine environment and key fish stocks. The Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA), with advice from the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and other agencies, continues to closely monitor the bloom and its impacts.
In response to the algal bloom, precautionary measures were put in place to protect fish stocks. In late December 2025, I was pleased to announce the easing of some fishing restrictions, with recreational and charter boat fishers now able to catch full bag, boat, and passenger limits for blue swimmer crab and southern garfish in the Spencer Gulf. Restrictions were also lifted for migratory finfish species in Gulf Saint Vincent and Kangaroo Island fishing zones.
This is in addition to the provision of free boat ramps, subsidised boat and boat trailer registration and dedicated species restocking programs.
The South Australian government will continue to rapidly review restrictions, with a view to easing them once sustainability allows.
This includes consideration of the ongoing snapper restrictions.
Once again, thank you for your advocacy for recreational fishing in Australia, and for your constructive engagement in South Australia’s algal bloom response and recovery efforts.
Yours sincerely
Peter Malinauskas
PREMIER