More support grants for Fishing and Marine sector

South Australia's fishing and marine sector will receive a further $16 million in support - including additional grants totalling up to $275,000 per eligible business - as part of the State and Federal Government's $102.5 million Algal Bloom Summer Plan. 

Extension of Industry Support Grants ($8 million)

Eligible businesses which have already received a grant under the initial $28 million support package will now be able to apply for a second grant if they can demonstrate a further three months of downturn. 

This includes grants of up to $10,000 for small businesses or up to $100,000 for fisheries and aquaculture licence holders who have been unable to catch or harvest their usual catch.

There will also be an additional up to $25,000 for hardest hit fisheries and aquaculture licence holders to support their workers. 

The closing date for applications for both the Small Business Support Grant and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant has been extended from 30 November 2025 to 31 March 2026. 

Industry response and resilience program ($3.5 million)

Grants of up to $150,000 for commercial fisheries and aquaculture licence holders to invest in projects that build business resilience, take advantage of new opportunities and help protect jobs. 

Licencing fee relief ($4.5 million)

Fee relief for the fishing and aquaculture sectors has been extended until at least 30 June, 2026. 

This includes:

• PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture annual licence fees
• Biosecurity SA Food Safety Scheme and audit fees
• Aquaculture lease and licence fees
• Fishery quota and licence transaction fees

Applications for the Industry Support Grants will open on Wednesday, October 15, the Industry Response and Resilience Program will open on Monday, October 20 and Licence Fee Relief will be applied automatically. 

Hardest hit fisheries and aquaculture licence holders could be eligible for up to $275,000 in support through the combination of $125,000 of industry support grants and $150,000 in the Industry Response and Resilience Program. 

In addition, the State Government will support a new, dedicated research and development program to investigate possible remediation and mitigation measures that could be used by aquaculture and fisheries businesses to reduce impacts on their businesses in the future. 

Funding for the $102 million Algal Bloom Summer Plan is being split 50-50 between the State and Federal governments and is in addition to the previously announced $28 million support package. 

For further information visit Algal Bloom response