Zone policies
There are 12 statutory aquaculture zone policies designated within South Australian waters allowing for production of a range of species.
An aquaculture zone policy describes where, what species and how much of a particular type of aquaculture development can occur within the zone boundaries. The Aquaculture Act 2001 prescribes the development and content of aquaculture zone policies.
The current 12 statutory aquaculture zone policies are described below, including copies of each zone policy and supporting zone policy report which provide supplementary information to explain content of zone policies and any amendments made to them.
Aquaculture (Zones – Lower Eyre Peninsula) Policy 2023
This policy came into operation on 2 November 2023 and includes 7 aquaculture zones and 4 aquaculture exclusion zones.
The zone policy accommodates farming of various types of aquatic organisms, including but not limited to:
- aquatic animals in a manner that involves regular feeding, such as prescribed wild caught tuna, other finfish species, and abalone
- bivalve molluscs, such as oysters and mussels
- algae (seaweed)
- echinoderms, such as sea cucumbers and urchins.
Other key opportunities considered in the policy include aquaculture related tourism, education and research.
More information
- Aquaculture (Zones – Lower Eyre Peninsula) Policy 2023
- Report supporting the Aquaculture (Zones – Lower Eyre Peninsula) Policy 2023 ()
- Submission response document for the Aquaculture (Zones – Lower Eyre Peninsula) Policy 2023 ()
Aquaculture (Zones – Lacepede Bay) Policy 2012
This policy came into operation on 10 May 2012 and includes 2 aquaculture zones and one exclusion zone.
It provides for the farming of aquatic animals in a manner that involves regular feeding (other than abalone and prescribed wild caught tuna), such as finfish.
More information
- Aquaculture (Zones - Lacepede Bay) Policy 2012
- Report supporting the replacement of the Lacepede Bay Aquaculture Management Plan ( or )
Aquaculture (Zones – Streaky Bay) Policy 2011
This policy came into operation on 29 September 2011 and includes 10 aquaculture zones and 5 exclusion zones. It provides for the farming of:
- bivalve molluscs (other than mussels), such as oysters and razorfish
- abalone.
More information
- Aquaculture (Zones - Streaky Bay) Policy 2011
- Report supporting the replacement of the Streaky Bay Aquaculture Management Plan ( or )
Aquaculture (Zones – Arno Bay) Policy 2011
This policy came into operation on 29 September 2011 and includes 2 aquaculture zones.
It provides for the farming of aquatic animals in a manner that involves regular feeding (other than prescribed wild caught tuna), such as:
- prescribed wild caught tuna broodstock (i.e. for breeding purposes)
- other finfish species.
More information
- Aquaculture (Zones - Arno Bay) Policy 2011
- Report supporting the replacement of the Arno Bay Aquaculture Management Plan ( or )
Aquaculture (Zones – Port Neill) Policy 2008
This policy came into operation on 4 December 2008 and includes one aquaculture zone. It provides for the farming of:
- aquatic animals in a manner that involves regular feeding (other than prescribed wild caught tuna), such as prescribed wild caught tuna broodstock (i.e. for breeding purposes), other finfish species, and abalone
- bivalve molluscs, such as oysters and mussels
- algae.
More information
- Aquaculture (Zones - Port Neill) Policy 2008
- Report supporting the Aquaculture (Zones-Port Neill) Policy 2008 ()
Aquaculture (Zones – Fitzgerald Bay) Policy 2008
This policy came into operation on 4 December 2008 and establishes 2 aquaculture zones and 2 exclusion zones. It provides for the farming of:
- aquatic animals in a manner that involves regular feeding (other than prescribed wild caught tuna), such as finfish species and abalone
- bivalve molluscs, such as oysters and mussels
- algae.
More information
- Aquaculture (Zones - Fitzgerald Bay) Policy 2008
- Report supporting the Aquaculture (Zones-Fitzgerald Bay) Policy2008 ()
Aquaculture (Zones – Coffin Bay) Policy 2008
This policy came into operation on 2 October 2008 and includes 7 aquaculture zones and 3 aquaculture exclusion zones. It provides for the farming of:
- aquatic animals in a manner that involves regular feeding (other than finfish), such as abalone
- bivalve molluscs (other than mussels), such as oysters and razorfish
- algae.
More information
- Aquaculture (Zones - Coffin Bay) Policy 2008
- Report supporting the (Zones - Coffin Bay) Policy 2008 ().
Aquaculture (Zones – Smoky Bay) Policy 2007
This policy came into operation on 4 October 2007 and includes 8 aquaculture zones and 2 exclusion zones. It provides for the farming of:
- bivalve molluscs (other than mussels), such as oysters and razorfish
- other molluscs, such as abalone.
More information
- Aquaculture (Zones - Smoky Bay) Policy 2007
- Report supporting the Aquaculture (Zones - Smoky Bay) Policy 2007 ()
Aquaculture (Zones – Anxious Bay) Policy 2007
The policy came into operation on 8 November 2007 and includes 1 aquaculture zone and 1 exclusion zone. The zone provides for the farming of:
- molluscs (other than mussels and oysters), such as abalone
- algae.
More information
Aquaculture (Zones – Cape D'Estrees) Policy 2006
This policy came into operation on 23 November 2006 and includes 3 aquaculture zones. It provides for the farming of:
- molluscs (other than filter-feeding molluscs such as oysters and mussels) such as abalone
- algae.
More information
- Aquaculture (Zones - Cape D'Estrees) Policy 2006
- Report supporting the Aquaculture (Zones – Cape D’Estrees) ().
Aquaculture (Zones – Eastern Spencer Gulf) Policy 2005
This policy came into operation on 15 December 2005, and was amended in 2007, 2015, 2017 and 2021. It includes 10 aquaculture zones and 4 exclusion zones. The policy provides for the farming of:
- Aquatic animals in a manner that involves regular feeding (other than prescribed wild caught tuna), such as finfish and abalone
- algae.
More information
- Aquaculture (Zones – Eastern Spencer Gulf) Policy 2005
- Report supporting the Aquaculture (Zones – Eastern Spencer Gulf) Policy 2005 ()
- Report supporting the Aquaculture (Zones – Eastern Spencer Gulf) Amendment Policy 2007 ()
- Report supporting the Aquaculture (Zones – Eastern Spencer Gulf) Amendment Policy 2017 ()
- Report supporting the Aquaculture (Zones – Eastern Spencer Gulf) Amendment Policy 2021 ()
- Submission Response Document for the Aquaculture (Zones – Eastern Spencer Gulf) Amendment Policy 2021 ()
Aquaculture (Zones – Tumby Bay) Policy 2015
This policy came into operation on 10 September 2015 and includes one aquaculture zone and one exclusion zone. It provides for the farming of:
- aquatic animals in a manner that involves regular feeding(other than prescribed wild caught tuna), such as finfish and abalone
- bivalve molluscs such as mussels and oysters
- algae.