New Approach to Beach Cleanups

AquaScope

News from PIRSA’s Aquaculture Division May 2012 Ed. 8

New approach to beach cleanups

The Port Lincoln aquaculture industry has launched a new beach monitoring and cleanup program, aimed at minimising the impact of debris on the coastal environment.

Announced in March, the ‘Adopt a Beach’ program will see 155 km of coastline in lower Spencer Gulf divided into 13 sites, with local aquaculture companies ‘adopting’ a stretch of beach and committing to undertaking a minimum of four beach cleanups a year.

It is a joint initiative between the Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association (ASBTIA), Australian Mussel Industry Association and Cleanseas.

Executive Director for PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture, Professor Mehdi Doroudi, said the ‘Adopt a Beach’ program was developed in consultation with a range of stakeholders including the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resource Management Board (EPNRMB), industry associations and commercial operators.

“Marine debris has been a growing concern for the Eyre Peninsula community, and the State Government has worked closely with the local aquaculture industry and stakeholders to encourage development of an industry-led solution,” Professor Doroudi said.

“It’s pleasing to see this collaborative effort coming together to address the issue in such a positive and proactive way.”

ASBTIA Chief Executive Officer, Brian Jeffriess, said the agreement demonstrated the aquaculture industry’s commitment to the local community.

“The community voiced their concern on the issue, and the industry’s response was positive, which led to a collaborative approach to the issue of marine debris,” Mr Jeffriess said.

“While not all the debris on beaches is from aquaculture farms, we recognise that as a primary industry in the region, we must share responsibility for management of the issue.

“In the future, we look forward to greater buy in from other stakeholders, including users of marine waters and land users, to participate in this process.”

Australian Mussel Industry Association Chairman, Andy Dyer said the industry had shown strong support of the program, with the first round of inspections now completed by all operators.

“Since the inception of the aquaculture industry, continued modifications to farming practices and ongoing education of the workforce has helped to reduce the amount of debris the industry is responsible for,” Mr Dyer said.

“The ‘Adopt a Beach’ program is the next step in this process and our operators are dedicated to playing their role in minimising the impact aquaculture has on the coastal environment.”

Following each monitoring and cleanup operation, operators must submit a Coastal Cleanup Completion Form documenting the outcome of their operation.

Compliance measures have also been put in place, which in some circumstances could see operators having to cover the cost of an independent contractor, if the monitoring and cleanup isn’t completed within an acceptable timeframe.

Cleanseas Director, Marcus Stehr, said considerable time and resources had been invested by all companies involved in developing the formalised cleanup structure.

“Consultation has been extensive to ensure an equitable program that takes into account the size of each company and the accessibility of suitable resources to undertake monitoring and cleanup operations at remote locations,” Mr Stehr said.

“As a result, we have been able to launch a more co-ordinated program that will ensure better integration of activities across all aquaculture sectors.”

The ‘Adopt a Beach’ program will be reviewed in January 2013, to consider possible amendments based on stakeholder participation, satisfaction and the ability of companies to manage the adopted areas.

For more information, visit www.pir.sa.gov.au/aquaculture

From left: Kinkawooka Mussels Managing Director Andrew Puglisi, PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture Regional Manager West Andrew Carr and Manager Aquaculture Policy, Planning and Environment Unit Peter Lauer, ASBTIA CEO Brian Jeffriess, Cleanseas Director Marcus Stehr and PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture Director Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy Sean Sloan.

Inside Scope

Professor Mehdi Doroudi Executive Director, PIRSA Aquaculture

As this edition goes to print we are in the process of finalising cost recovery arrangements with the South Australian aquaculture industry for the 2012/13 financial year.

This marks five years since an activity-based cost recovery approach began being adopted by the industry. The activity-based methodology ensures efficiency, accountability and transparency, by quantifying effort for all types of aquaculture transactions and activities - including leasing and licensing, legislation, compliance and environmental monitoring. It provides a more accurate reflection of costs to industry and importantly, brings us into line with national cost recovery guidelines.

The activity-based cost recovery methodology was first adopted by the oyster sector in 2008/09. Tuna, mussel and offshore abalone soon followed. This year we are pleased to have reached agreement with the finfish and land-based sectors, with further work to be undertaken with the land based sector during 2012.

Consultation with industry is critical to running a consistent, transparent and equitable cost recovery process. PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture is committed to these principles and to ensuring efficiencies are achieved in terms of the regulatory costs associated with aquaculture management in South Australia.

In return, we ask for constructive feedback and input from all sectors to continue to improve the process.

We look forward to working with all stakeholders in a collaborative and consultative manner to produce an outcome that benefits the commercial interests of operators, provides protection for the environment and secures a sustainable future for the State’s valuable seafood sector.

“Since the inception of the aquaculture industry, continued modifications to farming practices and ongoing education of the workforce has helped to reduce the amount of debris the industry is responsible for,” Mr Dyer

Professor Mehdi Doroudi

Executive Director, PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture

Parasite treatment success

Blood fluke (Cardicola forsteri) infections in Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT) have been attributed to increasing mortalities over recent years. With each tuna being worth more than $500 at market, substantial effort has been made to identify and trial effective treatments for the parasite.

During 2011, the first commercial trial of praziquantel - a medicine developed for treatment of flatworm parasites in humans, domestic pets and livestock - was conducted. This treatment sees praziquantel injected into baitfish and fed to sea ranched tuna soon after they are captured.

With the 2011 trial appearing to have successfully reduced fluke infections and subsequent mortalities, the treatment has been extended across most of the tuna industry in 2012.

While praziquantel it is not currently registered with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for use in tuna, ministerial approval has been granted for the trial. The Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association (ASBTIA) is also working with industry and suitable research providers, to develop a research program that will generate data to support an application to APVMA to allow ongoing use of praziquantel.

PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture, the South Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program, ASBTIA, veterinarians and the mussel farming sector are working together closely to ensure the successful and sustainable use of praziquantel.

Enquiries about aquatic animal health issues can be directed to Dr Shane Roberts on 8226 3975 or

From left: PIRSA Animal Health Adviser Emily Litzow and ASBTIA’s Clair Webber conducting environmental sampling to monitor the impact of the praziquantel trial.

Research the key to industry growth

As part of its commitment to supporting industry growth, PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture plays a key role in a number of strategic research initiatives.

One of the division’s major research programs is the Innovative Solutions for Aquaculture Planning and Management suite of projects (IS). The IS program is a joint initiative between PIRSA and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), that fosters the continued development of South Australia’s aquaculture industry.

Launched in 2004, the first stage of IS involved an environmental audit of marine aquaculture, spatial impacts and the carrying capacity for finfish aquaculture in Fitzgerald Bay, a finfish parasite analysis, seal interaction management for tuna farms and the development of rapid environmental assessment and monitoring techniques.

Macroalgae culture trials are being undertaken at SARDI Aquatic Sciences.

The second stage of the IS program that is now underway, aims to facilitate economic growth in the aquaculture industry and improve management of aquaculture resources, with a research focus on environmental standards, biosecurity and new technologies.

The carrying capacity of Spencer Gulf is one area being investigated through oceanographic and biogeochemical modelling, which is aimed at refining estimates for the carrying capacity of all marine-based aquaculture species, measuring connectivity of nutrients in different aquaculture zones and developing strategies for long-term performance monitoring and management. An assessment of biosecurity risks and the development of standardised guidelines, surveillance programs and industry specific emergency response plans are also underway.

Director Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, Sean Sloan, said the potential for new aquaculture species including harlequin fish, macroalgae and cockles is another exciting area being explored.

“A project investigating the potential for macroalgae aquaculture is currently examining the culture of three macroalgae species to a proof-of-concept stage using nutrient enriched waste-water streams,” Mr Sloan said.

“Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) is also being investigated by SARDI, FRDC and industry, with a focus on the policy and regulatory issues associated with IMTA, and the development of a model that takes into account the effects of multiple aquaculture activities in an area.”

Mr Sloan said research is critical to developing an adaptive resource management framework for South Australian aquaculture.

“The outcomes of these research initiatives will be integrated into decision making processes related to aquaculture zoning, environmental monitoring programs, disease control and managing interactions with protected wildlife species.”

For information on any of these research projects, contact the Aquaculture Environmental Programs group on 8226 0397 or

Compliance inspections begin for land-based sector

Last edition we revealed a new-look compliance program aimed at a more effective and integrated approach to aquaculture compliance. Initially trialled on marine-based aquaculture sectors, the new program has recently been extended to land-based aquaculture licences.

The land-based site inspection program aims to increase awareness of aquaculture-related legislative requirements and will assess the effectiveness of compliance decisions for land- based sites. The inspection tools being developed also enable inspections to be conducted by any PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture staff member.

The program will be used to better understand the overall regulatory performance of each land-based sector and will also provide land-based licence holders with the opportunity to provide feedback to PIRSA through face to face contact.

The audit program involves structured interviews with licensees and focuses on the key environmental, compliance and biosecurity risks associated with each sector. Topics covered will include; production information, water use/ storage/treatment, escapes of stock, interactions and entanglements, chemicals and therapeutants, general refuse and cleaning, fish processing, disease management and translocations and stock registers.

Several land-based compliance inspections have already been conducted in the south east, and will be rolled out to other land-based licences in the future through the implementation of a strategic aquaculture compliance program.

For more information on compliance inspections contact the Aquaculture Environment

Programs group on 8226 0397 or

Tumby Bay Zone Update

At its March meeting, the Aquaculture Advisory Committee (AAC) considered submissions received by PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture during the two month public consultation held in 2011 for the proposed Tumby Bay aquaculture zone policy.

Many of the submissions were concerned with the likely impact of marine debris from future farming in the proposed aquaculture zone. The AAC heard how these concerns had triggered an upgrading of the existing industry-led beach cleanup activities with the signing in February 2012 of an ‘Adopt a Beach’ agreement (see page one for more information about the clean-up program).

Other submissions requested an extension to the proposed Tumby Bay aquaculture exclusion zone. In response, the AAC endorsed a 7,237 ha increase in the aquaculture exclusion zone to take in waters from the high tide mark out to the inner edge of the aquaculture zone and southward to Point Bolingbroke.

The AAC endorsed the final policy with some additional, minor, technical changes. It has now been referred to the Minister for Fisheries, Gail Gago, for final approval. It’s anticipated that the policy will be settled by the third quarter of 2012.

Aquaculture Amendment Bill

Since the last issue of Aquascope the Aquaculture (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2011 was re-introduced to the Legislative Council of the Parliament as the Aquaculture (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2012.

On 5 April 2012 the Bill was passed by the Legislative Council with no changes to any of its provisions. On the same day the Bill was introduced to the House of Assembly by Minister Kenyon where it will be once again considered and debated. While there is currently no date set for the consideration of the Bill it is hoped that it may occur in May this year.

If there are changes made to the Bill in the House of Assembly, those changes must first be considered and passed by the Legislative Council, before they can be sent to the Governor for approval to become law.

A copy of the Aquaculture (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill can be viewed at www.pir.sa.gov.au/aquaculture

Annual Invoicing Introduced

In line with new business processes, all aquaculture lease and licence holders will now receive an annual tax invoice to streamline invoicing activity across the sector.

The first invoices for lease and licensing fees will be sent in June and be due for payment on 1 July. Quarterly reminder invoices will also be sent to lease and licence holders where necessary.

For aquaculture lease and licence enquiries please call 8226 0087.

Aquascope is the quarterly newsletter from PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture, providing information on aquaculture policy and industry news in South Australia.

email website www.pir.sa.gov.au/aquaculture

Licence payments 8204 1370

Leasing & licensing enquiries 8226 0087

Renewals and transfers 8226 0347

Environmental monitoring 8226 0397

Chemical use and translocation 8226 3975

Aquatic animal health 8226 3975

FISHWATCH 1800 065 522

The information in this publication can be provided on request in an alternative format or another language. Please call 8226 2922.

PIRSA Aquaculture Page 5