Fishers say new restrictions unfairly target recreational sector amid algal bloom

Recreational fishers say they feel they have been singled out in the state government's newly announced fishing restrictions designed to protect species threatened by the algal bloom.

The South Australian government has announced temporary restrictions for recreational fishers in the Gulf St Vincent/ Kangaroo Island Zone and the Spencer Gulf as the harmful algal bloom has led to a decline in fish numbers. 

A recent rapid stock assessment has recorded declining numbers of calamari, garfish, King George Whiting and blue crab.

From November 1, bag and boat limits for recreational fishers in the Gulf St Vincent/Kangaroo Island Zone will be halved.

Limits in the Spencer Gulf will also be halved for the four affected fish species.

Commercial fishing in the Gulf St Vincent will be temporarily banned but will remain unaffected in the Spencer Gulf.

The government said the restrictions will remain in place until June 30 next year but will be subject to scientific reviews. 

'We're following the rules'

Recreational Fish SA CEO Asher Dezsery told ABC Radio Adelaide the restrictions are at odds with government incentives aimed at attracting people to travel to the regions as coastal businesses record an economic downturn during the bloom.

"Recreational fishers are all for doing what needs to be done for the environment," Mr Dezsery said.

"I think where things start to become quite sticky and controversial is when you start flirting with discriminating against one sector."

Mr Dezsery has disputed claims made by the Premier Peter Malinauskas there has been an "explosion" in the number of recreational fishers in the Spencer Gulf.

"The tackle stores aren’t enjoying that benefit, the caravan parks aren’t enjoying that benefit," he said. 

"There's been the same amount of boat launches at most of the ramps and in two ramps there was an uptick of 30 per cent over 12 months."

"What's happened here is they've monitored the situation, allowed commercial fishing to continue at 100 per cent, and then looked at recreational fishing and slashed it by 50 per cent."

Mr Malinauskas said commercial fishers are already subject to strict reporting and quota arrangements which are not imposed on the recreational sector.

"We don't limit how much they can go out, there is an unlimited number of recreational fishers that can go out and they are not subject to a mandatory reporting regime," he said.

"This is not about targeting one sector versus the other … we do see restrictions on commercial fishing, we've banned it from the Gulf St Vincent, we trying to get a balance right here."

Executive director of Seafood Industry SA Kyri Toumazos says the commercial ban in the Gulf St Vincent is needed to help replenish depleted fish stocks.

"The problem is serious and the changes and restrictions that have been implemented are really welcome," Mr Toumazos said. 

"Obviously, the impact on different stocks has been gradually increasing in certain areas, but at the same time we needed to do the robust science in order for us to be certain that what we're doing is the right thing."

Mr Toumazos was one of a handful of industry stakeholders who were invited to address the media at Thursday's announcement about the changes.

Business owner 'taken aback' by changes

Tackle World Port Lincoln owner Alicia Bolitho was also invited to the press conference but said she was expecting a grant announcement.

She said a phone call was made the night before — that she did not receive — foreshadowing changes to bag limits.

"We turned up to the meeting yesterday morning half an hour before the press release to be told that quotas are going to be cut in half," Ms Bolitho told ABC Radio Eyre Peninsula. 

"I was taken aback sort of sitting in the premier's office going 50 per cent of Spencer Gulf has been cut back.

"[I] completely understand Gulf St Vincent, but to be told 50 per cent cut back on the four key species and the commercial quotas had not changed was pretty well a double-edged sword in your back."

In response, Minister for Primary Industries Clare Scriven said the government has been working closely with the Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA), of which Ms Bolitho is a member.

Ms Scriven said the changes are about striking a balance between sustainability of fish stocks and encouraging the needs of local business. 

"That's why we haven’t closed down recreational fishing, people are still able to fish in Gulf St Vincent and in Spencer Gulf, albeit with their bag and boat limits reduced," she said. 

"Fishers have already had to have boat and bag limits on the majority of species so the fact there are limits is nothing new, all this changes in the amount within those limits."