Premier Peter Malinauskas today announced a strict new plan for the long-term recovery of fish stocks in waters affected by the algal bloom, as calamari, garfish and King George whiting face a “severe decline” in some regions.
Calamari, garfish and King George whiting numbers in the Gulf St Vincent and Kangaroo Island regions face a severe decline, while blue crab faces a decline and abalone a localised high mortality rate, according to South Australian Research and Development Institute figures.
In response, the State Government today announced there would be temporary fishing restrictions from November 1 to allow for the recovery of these species.
“The science tells us this unprecedented algal bloom has had an unprecedented impact on our fish stocks, particularly in Gulf St Vincent,”