Fish Recovery Program announced

Premier Peter Malinauskas MP and Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven MLC have announced a new range of measures to protect and grow fishing stocks impacted by the Algal Bloom, impacting commercial and recreational fishers and associated businesses.

They reported that stock assessments of the waters of Gulf St Vincent, Kangaroo Island and Spencer Gulf have shown declines of some species including Calamari, Garfish and King George Whiting, Blue Crab and Abalone, particularly in Gulf St Vincent. 

• As a result of these declines, from 1 November 2025, temporary fishing restrictions will be implemented to allow for recovery of stocks of species:
• A temporary 50 per cent reduction in bag and boat limits will be implemented for recreational fishing and passenger bag limits for charter boat fishing in the Gulf St Vincent/Kangaroo Island Fishing Zone.
• A temporary 50 per cent reduction in bag and boat limits for recreational fishing and passenger bag limits for charter boat fishing will apply to Calamari, Garfish, Blue Crab and King George Whiting in the Spencer Gulf Fishing Zone, where fishing effort is expected to be increased.
• A temporary restriction on all commercial Marine Scalefish Fishing (MSF) and Blue Crab fishing will be implemented in the Gulf St Vincent/Kangaroo Island Fishing Zone.
• It is envisaged the restrictions will remain in place until 30 June 2026, subject to regular science reviews.
• Subject to existing limits or catch quotas, commercial fishing in Spencer Gulf will remain unaffected.
• Commercial Sardine, Abalone and Rock Lobster fisheries across the state will remain unaffected.
• Prawn fisheries will operate as normal, noting a temporary November-December spawning closure will occur in parts of northern Gulf St Vincent, as occurred last year.
• Existing fishing restrictions on Snapper will be extended until 30 June 2027.

Recreational fishers are strongly encouraged to assist the scientific effort by reporting their catches via the SA Fishing app.

Business Support and other announcements

The Plan details include the following: 

Fishing fee relief and industry assistance grants: As outlined in the Summer Plan, affected licence holders can access fee relief, as well as grants of up to $375,000 for business support, employee retention and diversification. Fee relief will be automatically applied for the remainder of 2025-26, while the closure date for the Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant and Small Business Support Grant will be extended to 31 July 2026.

Expanded Small Business Support grants: A third round of Small Business Support grants will be introduced, while the value of grants under the second and third round will be increased to $20,000. This means an eligible small business may be entitled up to $50,000 in support for downturn through until mid-2026.

A $500,000 comprehensive voluntary Marine Scalefish Fishery licence surrender study: The study will be conducted in partnership with industry to examine the long-term sustainability of the fishery, including buyback analysis.

Establishment of an industry recovery framework

Discounted boat registration: From 1 December 2025, The State Government will provide a 50 per cent discount on boat and boat trailer registration for 12 months.

Free access to boat ramps: The State Government will work with councils to provide free boat launch facilities across SA for 12 months.

Free vehicle access to coastal parks: The State Government will provide free vehicle access to national and conservation pars in affected coastal regions during and up until Easter 2026.

Threatened and vulnerable marine species breeding program: $3 million towards a targeted breeding, conservation and fish stocking program for vulnerable and threatened species impacted by the algal bloom.

A saltwater fish restocking program: $4m to establish a restocking program with a focus on target species including Snapper and King George Whiting.

A freshwater fish restocking program: $1 million for native freshwater fish stocking.

Additional compliance and intensive scientific monitoring: $5.79 million for additional Fisheries Officers and Marine Park Rangers and intensified monitoring and assessment of fish stocks through until June 2027.

More recreational fishing reefs: Additional $300,000 committed to expand the footprint of South Australia’s offshore recreational fishing reefs

Recreational fishing and tackle store support: An additional $1.1 million towards support for the recreational fishing community and tackle stores through events, competitions, programs and public campaigns.