ContentsInside Scope 2

Contact us 2

Meet Aquaculture’s new General Manager 2

Oyster innovations 3

Help shape Marine Parks 3

Standards high on Kangaroo Island 4

Updates and reminders 4

N e w s f r o m P I R S A ’ s A q u a c u l t u r e D i v i s i o n

M a r c h 2 0 1 0 E d . 4World aquaculture showcase hits AdelaideSouth Australia will boost its reputation as an aquaculture leader when it hosts the World Aquaculture Symposium in Adelaide in 2014.

Organised by peak industry body, the World Aquaculture Society, the event will include tours to SA’s world-renowned aquaculture production areas, including the Eyre Peninsula.

PIRSA Aquaculture Division Executive Director, Professor Mehdi Doroudi, said the symposium was expected to attract about 3000 delegates and 200 exhibitors from around the world, who will inject an estimated $11.5 million into SA’s economy.

“South Australian aquaculture is highly regarded around the world, and the symposium will allow us to showcase our legislative frameworks,

production techniques and research and development associated with SA’s seafood industry,” Mehdi said.

“Nationally and internationally SA is known for producing high quality seafood, including southern bluefin tuna, kingfish and oysters.”

SA’s aquaculture industry generated sales worth about $264 million in 2007/08, representing a third of the total value of all farmed seafood in Australia.

The bid, submitted by Adelaide Convention Tourism Authority, was made possible by a partnership of PIRSA, South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), the South Australian Tourism Commission and the Adelaide Convention Centre.

(Right): South Australian aquaculture is highly

regarded around the world.

Sean makes a move to AquacultureSean Sloan has arrived at the Aquaculture Division at an interesting time. He will be involved in managing several key projects, including the current review of the Aquaculture Act 2001 and reviewing existing cost recovery arrangements.Sean has become General Manager, Aquaculture, on a temporary basis, following Heather Montgomerie’s move in October 2009 to work as an internal management consultant at PIRSA.His previous position was as Manager of the Fisheries Policy Group at PIRSA, where he worked on a number of strategic policy directions for management of SA’s fisheries resources and a stakeholder co-management policy. He has held a number of policy and management roles at PIRSA since 2000 and spent about 18 months on the Solomon Islands working for the 17-nation Pacific

Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, focusing on the development of tuna fisheries throughout the Pacific region. After graduating from the University of Tasmania, he spent three years with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority. “I am pleased to make a move to aquaculture, which now represents more than half of South Australia’s total seafood production,” he said. “It is important to plan ahead for a sustainable future for our marine environment and the seafood industry it supports.“I’m also looking forward to working with the South Australian aquaculture industry and to strengthen relations between the Fisheries and Aquaculture sectors.”Sean has a marine science background, majoring in fisheries biology, and recently completed a graduate diploma with the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

P I R S A A q u a c u l t u r e

The Inside Scope

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South Australia’s aquaculture industry is not just about economic gains and reaching export highs. For many regional communities the rapidly expanding industry is a lifeline, providing jobs, social opportunities and tourism.

Finding the right balance between environment, social and economic considerations is the key for moving forward on critical decisions regarding the sustainability and development of aquaculture in South Australia. This is the triple bottom line approach, which PIRSA Aquaculture is working towards in its management of South Australia’s aquaculture industries.

Environmental sustainability is important to all of us, including the aquaculture industry. PIRSA Aquaculture, in close collaboration with the industry, has established strong environmental monitoring programs and policies governing the sustainable management of aquaculture develop-ment here in South Australia. However, economic and social aspects of our regional communities also need to be strongly considered, not only by industry but also by government agencies.

Here at PIRSA we are working hard to find that balance through our close involvement with the aquaculture industry, and the Commonwealth and State Government agencies. For example, we are working closely with the Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH), playing a role in the development of the state’s marine parks. We will be ensuring that any potential impacts on the future of aquaculture development in South Australia is appropriately addressed (see page 3).

Another example of our continued approach to sustainable development can also be found on page 3. The story is about the state’s leading oyster-growing zone, Coffin Bay, and the benefits being enjoyed by oyster growers due to its sustainable marketability.

Our legislative framework, the Aquaculture Act 2001 is also being reviewed this year, with the aim of bringing more flexibility to day-to-day operations, taking into account all areas of sustainable growth. I would like to take this opportunity once again to encourage you all to contribute into this review throughout the public consultation process.

I would also like to welcome Sean Sloan to PIRSA Aquaculture, as General Manager, initially for a period of six months. Sean has extensive experience in aquatic resources management and policy, and has worked for PIRSA Fisheries for a number of years. He will be involved in managing several key projects, including the current review of the Aquaculture Act 2001 and future cost recovery arrangements.

I hope you enjoy the latest edition of AquaScope.

With Professor Mehdi Doroudi Executive Director, PIRSA Aquaculture

For all your aquaculture enquiries:

Licence payments Shared Services Phone: 8462 1304 (press option 3)

Renewals and transfers PIRSA Aquaculture Natalie Richardson Phone: 8226 0347

Environmental monitoring PIRSA Aquaculture Luke Fraser and Megan Butler Phone: 8226 0314

Chemical use and translocation PIRSA Aquaculture Sita Balshaw and Hamish Aiken Phone: 8226 0314

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

The information in this publication can be provided on request in an alternative format or another language for those who need it. Please call 8226 2258.

Contacts

(Above): Sean Sloan diving with humpback whales off the coast of Rurutu (an island in the southern part of French Polynesia).

Oyster growers happy to innovate

A q u a S c o p e M a r c h 2 0 1 0

Pristine Oysters is diversifying, inspired by suggestions from visiting chefs and overseas buyers.

The Coffin Bay producer is experimenting with growing the Australian native Angasi flat oyster.

It also specialises in a smaller round style of oyster, similar to the Japanese Kumamoto oyster.

This venture began four years ago when the Eyre Regional Development Board organised an inspection of the Guidera brothers’ leases by a group of leading Australian chefs.

They said smaller, rounder oysters – which have a sweet, plump, firm texture which encourage people to try natural oysters – could be very popular with diners.

Lease operator Brendan Guidera, with his brothers Nick and Tony, picked up on the idea and started growing Kumamoto-style oysters.

“Producing these oysters takes a little more time and effort, but the results have been good,” Brendan said.

“We have had to carefully pick the right location for these oysters, where there is more tidal flow and wave motion.”

Kumamoto is a region in Japan where the small, true Kumamoto oyster originated.

They are no longer produced in Japan but are farmed in limited numbers in the US, Brendan said.

The Kumamoto-style of Japanese Pacific oysters spend more time out of the water than the average Coffin Bay oyster, rolling around at wave level in their baskets.

“The wave and tidal activity constantly chips away at new shell growth which results in a more rounded shape, a large abductor muscle and a good store of glycogen,” Brendan said.

“The end result is a firm sweet little oyster.”

The premium-end oysters have helped the company to win more sales in export and domestic markets.

The Guideras, which have leases at Cowell and Coffin Bay on the West Coast, export to Hong Kong, Japan and France.

Coffin Bay is the state’s leading oyster-growing area, with 132 individual licences comprising a total of 176 hectares.

After extensive public consultation, PIRSA Aquaculture consolidated the Coffin Bay Zone Policy in October, 2008.

This has enabled the ongoing sustainability of the prolific oyster-growing area, which in 2005 yielded 2574 tonnes of production,

or about 50% of the state’s $25 million- a-year worth of production.

About the aquaculture zones:http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/aquaculture/ management_policies/zonal_policies

(Below): Hong Kong celebrity chef, Wong Wing Chee with Brendan Guidera at Pristine Oysters last year (Photo courtesy: Eyre Regional Development Board).

Industry groups and coastal communities around South Australia are invited to participate in the drafting of management plans and zoning arrangements for the State’s 19 marine parks.

The Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH) has set up 13 Marine Park Local Advisory Groups to consult with the public and industry groups in the creation of marine parks.

The aim of the groups is to collect and con-sider the best local knowledge from people who live or work near a marine park.

The management plans, with zoning arrangements for each of the 19 marine parks, are due to be completed by early 2012.

As part of the community consultation process, the South Australian Marine Parks Information Tool (SAMPIT) has been developed by DEH.

The next round of local group meetings will be held in April. The meeting schedule, a full list of their members and the SAMPIT can be accessed at: www.marineparks.sa.gov.au

PIRSA Aquaculture, Fisheries and Mineral

Resources representatives are working with DEH senior officers on the newly established Marine Parks/Marine Planning Steering Committee.

The Government of SA has given a range of commitments to protect the interests of the aquaculture industry, including provisions to accommodate all existing aquaculture leases and zones within declared marine parks.

Others include:• No existing aquaculture activities will be displaced as a result of a marine park proclamation or future marine park zoning arrangements.

• There will be no additional approval processes or permits for existing leases and zones, and pilot leases will be accommodated where they are consistent with the marine park management plan. Where they are not consistent, a special permit may be available.

• Minor movement of existing aquaculture sites within marine parks for normal farming needs or environmental changes will also be accommodated.

DEH and PIRSA Aquaculture have also identified areas which will support future aquaculture expansion that will be accommodated within declared marine parks.

For further information on marine parks, or how you can be involved, please contact Andy Burnell, Seafood Industry Liaison, DEH on (08) 8463 4854 or email: andrew.burnell@sa.gov.au

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Have your say in shaping marine parks

Visits to an abalone hatchery, oyster and marron farm and a progressive school aquaculture project have forged further links with licensees and operators on Kangaroo Island.

The recent tour, led by PIRSA Aquaculture’s Executive Director Professor Mehdi Doroudi, was an opportunity to develop relations with clients on Kangaroo Island and also to hear of their recent developments, issues and future goals.

PIRSA Aquaculture manages 36 land-based and 6 sea-based operators on Kangaroo Island.

The one-day tour, by Professor Doroudi, Environmental Assessment Officer Megan Butler and Legislative Policy Officer Gloria Ingham, began at Kangaroo Island Shellfish.

The business owned and operated by Ken and Amanda Rowe, farms two kinds of oysters; Deep water premiums and Manager’s reserve.

Andermel Marron Farm was next on the itinerary where owner John Melbourne has installed a full range of facilities. There were water supply dams, to breeding and grow-out ponds and a final processing and holding area.

The 52 grow-out ponds are netted against birds and aerated by paddle wheels. Visitors are welcome at the facility.

Next stop was to see an innovative approach to recycling water from fish farming at Parndana High School.

Waste water from the barramundi fish farm is recycled to grow herbs and vegetables.

Once filtered through the garden, the water can be reused in the fish farm.

The final stop was at Kangaroo Island Abalone Farm, where Justin Harmon explained the spawning, growing and processing operation.

The fully integrated operation has a hatchery, nursery and grow-out facility and an AQIS-accredited processing / packing operation, including a nitrogen freezing facility.

Professor Doroudi said the four operations were outstanding examples of the high standard of aquaculture farming on Kangaroo Island.

(Below): L-R Megan Butler (PIRSA), Justin Harmon (Kangaroo Island Abalone Farm) and Professor Mehdi Doroudi (PIRSA).

UPDATESCaring for Country grantsThe Australian Government is seeking expressions of interest from aquaculture businesses wanting to improve their management practices.

The projects must be aimed at increasing the number of farmers improving their water quality management practices. Projects will be funded through the Caring for Country program and can vary in size from $300,000 to $1.5 million.

Applicants need to complete an EOI application form online at the Caring for our Country website www.nrm.gov.au by the 15 April 2010.

Australasian Aquaculture Hobart ConferenceThe Australasian Aquaculture conference will be held in Hobart, Tasmania from 23-26 May 2010.

The theme of the conference is “keeping pace with change”. PIRSA Aquaculture will be presenting at the conference. It will also be showcasing the SA aquaculture industry to attendees through a joint SA government funded trade show stand. For more information: www.australian-aquacultureportal.com/austaqua/aa10.html.

Public Liability InsurancePIRSA Aquaculture would like to offer all lease holders the option of sending their public liability insurance requests directly to their insurance company of choice to help streamline this process.

In order for this to happen, PIRSA Aquaculture must receive an update of your current insurance company details and the approval of all lease holders. PIRSA Aquaculture will then contact your insurance company on your behalf.

Standards high on Kangaroo Island

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