Changes to the way that slow-onset ecological events are managed, and long-term support for businesses affected by South Australia’s harmful algal bloom, including fisherman and tourism operators, are just some of the fourteen recommendations put forward by the Environment and Communications References Committee.

The Committee handed down its report into algal blooms in South Australia on Tuesday, having held five hearings, including four in South Australia and one in Canberra.

Nationals Senator for New South Wales, and Federal Shadow Minister for Water, Emergency Management, and Fisheries and Forestry, Ross Cadell, welcomed the publication of the report, acknowledging the value of community input in developing the recommendations.

“When I called for this inquiry, I was determined we would visit the communities that had been impacted and hear the experiences of locals firsthand,” Cadell said.

“What we heard in Adelaide, in Port Lincoln, in Ardrossan, and in Victor Harbor has helped shape this bi-partisan report and brought home the realities facing these regional communities.

“This algal bloom has not been like any traditional disaster in which a distinct start and end point can be identified, rather its impacts have been long-lasting and unpredictable.

“Australia needs a mechanism to support communities impacted by these slow-onset events, whether it be an algal bloom, mice plague, or drought.

Senator Cadell pointed to three of the fourteen recommendations as being key to supporting communities through future slow-onset events.

• Recommendation 2; The committee recommends the Australian Government consider reviewing and expanding arrangements for a new definition for declaring how climate induced, slow-onset and significant ecological events could be incorporated into a broader national framework.
• Recommendation 3; The committee recommends the Australian Government defines the roles of the Commonwealth, states and territories and local governments throughout the management and response of climate induced, slow-onset and significant ecological events such as harmful algal blooms. 

• Recommendation 10; The committee recommends that the Australian Government consider how it can support work with the South Australian Government on long-term resilience and recovery programs for marine-related industries and sectors affected by the harmful algal bloom including fishing and tourism, in concert with industry. This could include exploring:
• – a targeted income support program, akin to Job Keeper, for impacted businesses;
• – a voluntary lease or buyback scheme for fishing licences, to provide individuals and businesses the opportunity to remain in or exit the industry; and
• – a tourism recovery fund to support public information campaigns and promotional efforts to rebuild SA’s tourism reputation, drive visitation, and support nature-based and marine businesses as they recover.

Last week, fisherman from South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula including Bart Butson visited Canberra to provide an update on fish stocks within Gulf St Vincent and share an update on how communities were dealing with the continued effects of the bloom.

Senator Cadell said he hoped the Albanese Government would continue to listen to those impacted by the disaster and establish initiatives to ensure a generation of fisherman were not lost to South Australia’s seafood industry.

“South Australian seafood is some of the best in the world and among the most sought-after,” Cadell said.

“Whether it be through a voluntary lease or buyback scheme, or targeted income support program, the Government must step up to ensure the industry survives this slow-onset disaster.

“Without adequate support, South Australian seafood will disappear from the menu.”