Snapper Fishery Ban

Wednesday March 17, 2021

Mr BELL (Mount Gambier) (15:17): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries. Can the minister confirm to the house that the recent snapper closure in the South-East is based on science?

The Hon. D.K.B. BASHAM (Finniss—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (15:18): I thank the member for the question. Yes, it's very important that we follow the science in relation to this. It's very important that we protect the fishery going forward for South Australians to be able to catch fish into the future. It is very important that when the science tells us that a total allowable catch has been reached for any sector we need to stop.

Mr BELL (Mount Gambier) (15:18): Supplementary to the Minister for Primary Industries: will the minister table that science?

The Hon. D.K.B. BASHAM (Finniss—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (15:18): I thank the member for the question. I will have a look into that and see whether it would be appropriate.

 

In reply to Mr BELL (Mount Gambier) (17 March 2021).

The Hon. D.K.B. BASHAM (Finniss—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development):

The recent snapper closure in the South East was based on science.

The latest snapper stock assessment report was completed by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) in 2020 and is publicly available on the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) website.