SA oyster industry in the algal bloom lurch
A toxic algal bloom off the South Australian coast has forced some oyster farms to close, leading to calls for the state government to deliver financial support.
The state’s $60 million oyster industry is at risk due to a toxic algal bloom about the size of Kangaroo Island in waters around the Fleurieu Peninsula, with nine farms closed as a “precautionary” measure.
The nine farms are confined the growing regions of Stanbury, American River and Port Vincent and the commercial harvesting area for pipis between the Murray Mouth to 10km south of the mouth.
Oyster farms at Coffin Bay and Cowell on the Eyre Peninsula, West Coast at Streaky Bay, Smoky Bay and Denial Bay remain open.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) continues to test samples to check for the concentration of the toxic algae to determine whether the oysters are suitable for consumption.
“The other 20 South Australian harvesting areas remain open for sales with produce from those areas safe to eat,” a PIRSA spokesperson said.
“Regular ongoing testing in these open harvest areas continues to ensure the harvested produce food safety standards are upheld. South Australian Quality Assurance Program (SASQAP) are in regular contact with relevant industry associations and licence holders on the status of any harvest area.”
In mid-March, PIRSA identified a harmful algae bloom (HAB) in the waters around the Fleurieu Peninsula. HABs are large growths of microscopic algae that can affect marine life and human health, a PIRSA report says.
The last notable bloom of this type was recorded at Coffin Bay in 2014. This latest bloom is likely caused by a marine heatwave and has resulted in mass fish deaths in the ocean off the South Australian coastline.
Whether the recent wild weather experienced in South Australia has been enough to break up the HAB is yet to be seen.
You might like
A PIRSA spokesperson said “it is hoped that the strong winds and ocean swells experienced this week will help break up the harmful algal bloom affecting parts of South Australia”.
“Further monitoring is currently underway to determine what effect the storm conditions will have on the algal bloom, including its potential movement along South Australia’s coasts with the full impact expected to be known early next week.”
Jack – the operator of Port Vincent Oysters – has had his harvesting area closed due to the algal bloom. He said he stands to lose thousands of dollars.
“We’ve been told two weeks, probably four weeks. But it could go on for, you know, who knows?” he told InDaily.
“These quiet months, we probably average about three to 5000 over a month. Summertime, we do double that. Not all the time, but you know, it fluctuates.
“If we shut down for a couple of months, people go somewhere else and start getting their oysters somewhere else.”
Jack also runs an oyster retail outlet and said he could source oysters from unaffected areas, but as he might not sell them he is reluctant to take the plunge.
“If I get some from other areas and put them in the water and then, you know, just leave in there for a few days and then we bring them back out and that’s fine. Put them in the cool rooms three or four days or whatever,” he said.
“But we can’t do that now. I mean, if I want to get some say 50 to 100 dozen, it’s not worthwhile getting that many, because if I don’t sell them and they’re in the fridge for longer than seven or eight days…
“The algal bloom doesn’t stop the production, it just stops us from selling them.”
Stay informed, daily
Another grower who has had his farm closed and who wished to remain anonymous said the financial impact was difficult and he was not given an indication as to how long they’d have to remain closed.
“Could be months… there’s no indication,” they said.
“There’s definitely the financial issue, but then you’ve got the wellbeing issue – the stress of not knowing when or if the oysters might die in one or two months.
“It’s pretty much impossible to relocate them. You need another farm empty somewhere else, and then if you did want to… the risk of contaminating that area could be another issue.
“I’ve got no sales. If, say, in three months’ time everything’s dead, well I’ll have to just work it out then.”
He said he wanted to see more communication from PIRSA: “We’ve had just one email, and one phone call from a liaison in our area”.
South Australian Oyster Growers Association (SAOGA) chairperson Peter Treloar said his organisation had been working closely with PIRSA and gave its “full support” to the precautionary closure of the nine farms.
“South Australian oyster growers remain compliant with strict government food safety standards which are heavily monitored on an ongoing basis to not only protect consumers but the product as well,” he said.
“All oysters harvested and sold commercially in SA undergo rigorous testing and quality control to meet national food safety standards.
“Consumers can be assured our growers take food safety very seriously and work closely with reputable suppliers who source from monitored regions.”
He said he encouraged buyers to “continue to support local growers by purchasing SA oysters from reputable seafood retailers and restaurants”.
The PIRSA spokesperson said the Department “has been in regular contact with all relevant commercial fishing industry associations, including the South Australian Oyster Growers Association (SAOGA) and RecFish SA with updates on the micro algal situation”.
“The extent, duration, and impact of the algal bloom (including the temporary closures at American River, Port Vincent, Stansbury and the relevant section of the commercial Coorong Pipi harvesting area) is being monitored as is the case for all fish kills and environmental events,” the spokesperson said.
But Greens MLC Robert Simms said the state government should step in and support the impacted businesses financially.
“Labor should stop funding fossil fuels in the June Budget and instead fund the businesses being hit by this unprecedented toxic algae crisis,” he said.
“Toxic algae is crushing oyster farmers, the seafood sector and coastal communities across SA right now. Businesses and families are hurting, losing tens of thousands of dollars because they can’t operate. We should support them by scrapping the millions we hand to gas which makes this problem worse.
“As the Deputy Premier has said, this toxic algae is the worst marine crisis in our history, and it’s driven by climate change. This crisis requires a response – we need an end to fossil fuel subsidies in SA and a support package for communities being hit by toxic climate change algae.”
