Industry

A day's fishing

The Southern Fishermen's Association (SFA) has won the South Australian Fishing and Seafood Industry Environment Award 1997 and 1999; the South Australian Fishing and Seafood Industry 'Fishing for the Future' Environment Award (2001 & 2003); and the SA Great Regional Science & Environment award 2002.

Fishery Information
Completion of the Coorong Barrage network in 1940 converted 89 per cent of the original estuarine habitat of Australia's most important river into permanently impounded freshwater. European carp have become dominant in this man-modified system after their illegal release into the Murray catchment around 1970. Commercial fishers reduce their impact by developing new markets to make targeting the carp financially viable.

With capped fishing effort coupled with controls over many other aspects of access to individual species (for example, closed seasons, minimum legal lengths), the fishery is essentially limited to taking a sustainable proportion of the available production each year. To further develop their businesses, fishers realise they need to fine tune management, and especially environmental management, to improve their available production. They can also add value through product innovation, improved marketing (especially targeting export potential), waste reduction to zero, and maximum quality enhancement. As a commercial fishery that operates inside a national park and includes a Ramsar wetland of international importance, the SFA understands that the fishers have an obligation in responsibly managing the resource on behalf of the community. This means not only maintaining the environmental integrity of the region but wherever possible enhancing it. The SFA has proactively lobbied for many major environmental initiatives.

Fish in esky

Fishery management
The South Australian Government through the Department of Primary Industries and Resources (PIRSA Fisheries) manages the commercial fishery under a 'scheme of management' and the fish resource under a five year management plan developed by the Inland Fisheries Management Committee, which represents many stakeholder groups. This management is paid for by a significant license fee levied on commercial fishers under an annual recovery process.

Did you know?
In 1999 the Southern Fishermen's Association (SFA) produced the first Environmental Management plan (EMP) for a fishery anywhere in the world. It was signed off by all 38 fishers in 1999. This led to a partnership with WWF who sourced funds for the fishery to undergo Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. Stage 2 of the EMP is currently under development.

Mullet fishing in the Coorong

Let's talk about fish
The fishery was established around 1841 - 1851. This date span is because there is some record that mulloway were smoked and dried for the trip home to England in 1841 - some of it may have reached England and become the very first exported fish. The fishery was definitely underway by 1851. Methods have not changed since then. Hand haulers, static gill nets, swingers (the only place in the world this is used), cockle rakes that aren't mechanical.

Did you know?
The Southern Fishermen's Association (SFA) represents the commercial industry interests in the Lakes and Coorong Fishery. The association was established in 1939 and has been a proactive group in addressing not only regulations and management issues but also environmental, economic and social issues.

As part of the SFA commitment to its objectives of economical, ecological and social responsibility, the fishery is currently undergoing independent third party accreditation under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) assessment framework.

Successful accreditation of the fishery under MSC will not only underpin the sustainability of the fishery but also provide improved opportunities for commercial fishers to increase both domestic and overseas market demand for the species harvested from the fishery.

Train near wharf by crossing

Figurehead of Mozambique on pub

Oscar W paddlesteamer