Broodstock and seedstock collection permits

The broodstock collection permit manages the take of sexually mature aquatic resources in the waters of the State, to provide reproductive material for aquaculture.

Extensive arrangements are already in place for managing commercial fisheries in South Australia. Existing harvest limits are set to optimise the biological sustainability and economic viability of fishing activities.

It is preferred that a commercial fishery licence holder is engaged by the aquaculture licence holder to collect the species to be used for broodstock. Where a commercial fishery licence holder undertakes the collection pursuant to their licence, a permit is not required. However, aquaculture licence holders must keep documents provided by the fish processor upon receipt of broodstock for compliance purposes.

A permit application may be considered where:

• the method or accessibility of the commercial fishers' catch is deemed inadequate for aquaculture
• it is demonstrated that it is not possible for a commercial fishery licence holder to harvest the required aquatic resources for broodstock.

Approval for a broodstock collection permit will only be granted to the holders of licences under the Aquaculture Act 2007.

If the broodstock is being sourced by an aquaculture licence holder, applicants must demonstrate sound technical capability and the methodology to be used in the collection process.

PIRSA will allow the collection of broodstock if there is sufficient evidence that the collection method and management program for the broodstock provides an increased chance of their survival and spawning success.

The number of fish that may be taken in accordance with a permit will be kept to a minimum. It must be demonstrated that removal of the fish that are proposed to be taken from the wild stock will not impact adversely on the sustainability of that stock or other associated species.

The seedstock collection permit manages the take of juvenile aquatic resources in waters of the state for the purpose of growing out on aquaculture sites.

The main seedstock species collected from the wild in SA to grow-out in aquaculture are mussels (Mytilus edulis). The mussel aquaculture sector relies on naturally settling seedstock for the source of mussels used to grow-out on aquaculture sites. Juvenile mussels (spat) are collected at a variety of sites around the state by placing structures in the water, onto which larval mussels settle and begin to grow. Seedstock collection is seasonal, and sites may vary from year-to-year.

Seedstock collection for mussels has taken place for over 15 years, as such, the activity and its impacts are well known. Where permits are granted for mussel seedstock collection inside aquaculture zones, these will be generally granted for 3 years. Seedstock collection outside of the established aquaculture zones will be approved for a maximum of 6 months each year, to prevent the use of the sites for grow-out purposes.

Seedstock permit conditions for species other than mussels may reflect the need for additional information and increased monitoring to ensure the sustainability of the activity.

Consideration will be given to the impact of the equipment utilised to collect seedstock as well as its location to ensure it:

• does not present a hazard to navigation
• minimises conflict between resource users
• is sustainable.

Seedstock collection equipment must be duly marked, as per aquaculture licence conditions, to prevent boating accidents and to facilitate compliance activities. Additional costs associated with seedstock collection, such as notice to mariners, may apply.

Applications to collect broodstock or seedstock from aquatic reserves proclaimed under the Fisheries Management Act 2007 will not be supported, except where commercial fishing activities are permitted.

An application that is intended to be undertaken, or partly undertaken within a specially protected area, will require consultation with the relevant Minister responsible for that area, as part of the assessment process. Specially protected areas are defined in the Fisheries Management Act 2007 and include marine parks, the River Murray and the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary.

Applications will not be supported if the collection of broodstock or seedstock is:

• inconsistent with the objectives of the specially protected area
• a prohibited activity within the specially protected area.

If the proposed activity is within the boundaries of a Commonwealth marine protected area, consultation will need to be undertaken with the relevant Australian Government department.

Applications for the take of threatened, endangered or protected species (TEPS) will only be considered if it serves a demonstrable broader community or conservation value (e.g. education or breeding for conservation programs).

The Fisheries Management Act 2007 requires fisheries to be managed in a cost-effective manner with targets set for the recovery of management costs. Consequently, there are a number of costs to applicants and permit holders associated with broodstock and seedstock collection.

A fee is payable at the time of submitting an application for either permit. This fee relates to the costs of assessing an application. All fees are set at the beginning of each financial year.

Additionally, costs associated with permits transfers and other administrative fees apply.

The Minister (or their delegate) may impose and vary conditions on a permit. Some standard conditions will be applied to all permits granted for the purpose of collecting broodstock and seedstock.

Permit holders will be required to provide a written report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture detailing activities undertaken, detailing:

• numbers taken
• survival and mortality rates of target species
• fish taken incidentally to the collection activity, including target species captured in excess of requirements at the time broodstock were collected.

In the event that a permit holder breaches the Fisheries Management Act 2007, associated regulations, or conditions of a permit, the permit holder will incur demerit points if they are issued an expiation notice or found guilty by a court. If a permit holder exceeds 200 demerit points, they will:

• be dealt with in accordance with Part 8, Division 4 of the Act
• lose the permit, which must either be transferred to another party or acquired by the Minister
• be disqualified for 10 years.

The state’s aquatic resources are managed in accordance with the Fisheries Management Act 2007, including the collection of aquatic resources for broodstock and seedstock.

The objectives of this Act are to protect, manage, use and develop the aquatic resources of the state in a manner that is consistent with the principles of ESD. To that end, the following principles apply:

• proper conservation and management measures are to be implemented to protect the aquatic resources of the state from over-exploitation and ensure that those resources are not endangered
• access to the aquatic resources of the state is to be allocated between users of the resources in a manner that achieves optimum utilisation and equitable distribution of those resources to the benefit of the community
• aquatic habitats are to be protected and conserved, and aquatic ecosystems and genetic diversity are to be maintained and enhanced
• recreational fishing and commercial fishing activities are to be fostered for the benefit of the whole community
• the participation of users of the aquatic resources of the state, and of the community more generally, in the management of fisheries is to be encouraged
• the potential of aquatic resources of the state is sustained to meet the reasonably foreseeable needs of future generations
• the life-supporting capacity of the aquatic resources of the state is safeguarded
• adverse effects of activities on the aquatic resources of the state are avoided, remedied or mitigated.

The Fisheries Management Act 2007 provides the regulatory framework for the administration of permits to be issued under the Fisheries Management (Miscellaneous Broodstock and Seedstock Fishery) Regulations 2013.

Permit holders must comply with the Livestock Act 1997 and any regulations and notices made under that Act. They are also liable to report notifiable conditions or diseases.

Aquaculture is managed in South Australia by PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture in accordance with the Aquaculture Act 2001. PIRSA has a regulatory responsibility for the administration of aquaculture through enabling the granting and renewal of licences and leases, pursuant to that Act. Approval for broodstock or seedstock collection will only be granted to current licence holders.

Under the Aquaculture Act 2001, aquaculture means farming of aquatic organisms for the purposes of trade or business. Farming means an organised rearing process involving:

• propagation
• regular stocking or feeding of the organisms
• protection of the organisms from predators or other similar intervention in the organisms' natural life cycles.