Draft Aquaculture (Zones – Lower Eyre Peninsula) Policy 2011

Draft Aquaculture (Zones – Lower Eyre Peninsula) Policy 2011

The draft Aquaculture (Zones – Lower Eyre Peninsula) Policy 2011 (PDF 594.6 KB) (the draft Policy) has been developed to support the ecologically sustainable development of aquaculture in Spencer Gulf. The draft Policy aims to provide certainty for industry stakeholders, improve community confidence and consolidate the existing industry and opportunities for moderate aquaculture development.

The Aquaculture Advisory Committee considered the draft Policy on 19 August 2011 and endorsed it to be released for public consultation, subject to minor changes. These amendments have now been made and the draft Policy and associated draft Policy Report (PDF 7.5 MB) has been approved by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries for public consultation commencing Saturday 5 November 2011.

The draft Policy is comprised of six aquaculture zones (Boston Bay, Lincoln, Louth Bay, Murray Point, Proper Bay and Todd River) and three aquaculture exclusion zones (Buffalo Reef, Lincoln and Sir Joseph Banks). It is intended that the draft Policy replace the existing Aquaculture (Zones – Lower Eyre Peninsula No 2) Policy 2007.

This draft Policy proposes to:

  • separate the existing Boston Bay and Lincoln Offshore aquaculture zone into two zones, proposed as the Boston Bay aquaculture zone and the Lincoln aquaculture zone;
  • define the Lincoln aquaculture zone by the Lincoln (inner) sector (previously the Lincoln Offshore aquaculture zone) and the (newly created) Lincoln (outer) sector, located to the south-east of the Sir Joseph Banks group and approximately 50 km east of Port Lincoln;
  • define the Louth Bay aquaculture zone (previously the Louth Bay (outer) aquaculture zone) by the Louth Bay (south) sector and the Louth Bay (north) sector;
  • create the Sir Joseph Banks exclusion zone and the Buffalo Rock exclusion zone; and
  • amend the Lincoln aquaculture exclusion zone and Lincoln aquaculture zone boundaries to align the exclusion zone better with the shipping lanes established by the Minister for Transport (Notice to Mariners No 50 of 2010 former Notice No 21 of 2002).

The draft Policy and related Policy Report will be referred to prescribed bodies and relevant public authorities for comment. Advertisements calling for public submissions are to be placed in the SA Government Gazette on Thursday 3 November 2011, in The Advertiser on Saturday 5 November, in the Port Lincoln Times on Thursday 10 November and in the Koori Mail on Wednesday 16 November 2011.

As prescribed by the Aquaculture Act 2001, the period of public consultation will be for two calendar months, starting Saturday 5 November 2011 until 5 pm Saturday 14 January 2012.

Officers from Primary Industries and Regions SA Fisheries and Aquaculture Division will hold a public briefing on Monday 21 November 2011 from 4.30-7 pm at the Ravendale Sports Centre, 40 Stamford Terrace, Port Lincoln, to discuss the proposed aquaculture zone policy for Lower Eyre Peninsula and the proposed development plan amendment relating to the aquaculture zone.

Community involvement in the aquaculture planning process is essential to the success of each policy. The community have an opportunity to participate in the public briefing, ask questions and provide any comment on the proposed policy and development plan amendments.

If you are unable to attend the public briefing but would still like to provide comment on the draft Policy, you can do so through the public submission process (DOC 52.0 KB) . To assist people submit focused comments on the policies and proposed Development Plan amendments, a template has been developed for you to submit your comments. Written submissions in relation to the draft policy should be made to PIRSA Aquaculture, GPO Box 1625, Adelaide SA 5001 or pirsa.aquaculture@sa.gov.au.

Submissions must be received by 5pm on Saturday 14 January 2012.

Draft Aquaculture (Zones – Lower Eyre Peninsula) Policy 2011
Draft Aquaculture (Zones – Lower Eyre Peninsula) Policy Report
Submission Form