Finfish will be able to be taken in waters immediately adjacent to Port Pirie following the lifting of some precautionary fishing restrictions.
Temporary restrictions in Germein Bay since September 2020 which prevented the taking of some species, will be replaced by permanent regulations that allow finfish to be taken but continue restrictions for razorfish, crabs and mussels.
The temporary bans expire, and new regulations come into effect from 15 September 2022 with the ability of the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development to lift bans if new evidence shows conditions improve.
Environmental scanning and assessment of health risk was undertaken, and significant sampling was conducted to understand the impacts of heavy metals on recreationally caught seafood present in local waters.
In line with SA Health advice, the temporary bans have been removed with new measures to take their place to protect public health.
These measures include the re-opening of the taking of finfish from Zone 1, which was previously prohibited.
SA Health advice indicates that bans remain appropriate on the take of razorfish (Pinna bicolor), mussels (Mytilus spp) and crabs (Family Portunidae) in Germein Bay (Zone 1); and razorfish (Pinna bicolor) in Germein Bay (Zone 2) to reduce community exposure to lead, and other heavy metals.
SA Health has issued the following public health advice on eating recreationally caught seafood in Port Pirie:
- No-one should eat crabs and mussels taken from Zone 1 or razorfish taken from Zone 1 or Zone 2 because they have the highest assessed health risk from lead and cadmium harm, which are toxic heavy metals.
- Under 5s and people who are pregnant or planning pregnancy should not eat any seafood taken from Zone 1, Zone 2 or Barrow Beach including species not sampled in 2020, including squid.
All other people should be aware of personal risk factors and exercise caution to avoid or minimise consumption of seafood taken from the designated locations and Barrow Beach.
This public health advice only applies to recreational fishing and not commercial fishing outside of the designated closure zones.
Consumers are assured they can have confidence in South Australia’s quality seafood product as commercial fishing occurs outside of the specified zones and is supported by ongoing National Residue Survey testing.
SA Health has more information about fishing in and around Port Pirie.