Aquaculture
The EPA is a mandatory referral agency under the Aquaculture Act 2001 for licence applications and amendments, and lease conversions that occur outside an aquaculture zone.
When assessing aquaculture applications, the EPA must have regard to, and seek to further, the objects of the EP Act, and have regard to the general environmental duty and relevant Environment Protection Policies. The EPA has the power to add licence conditions and can direct refusal of an application.
In addition, development applications for land-based aquaculture are also referred to the EPA for approval under the Development Regulations 2008.
SA oyster basket recycling feasibility study
The SA oyster industry produces up to 100 million oysters annually, contributing more than $100 million to the gross state product, and creates over 1 000 jobs.
The EPA has been working with the SA Oyster Growers Association, Regional Development Australia Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula, and DMITRE on the completion of a feasibility study about recycling plastic oyster baskets.
The industry uses around 2.5 million baskets annually. Each year, about 5–10%, or 150–200 tonnes, of baskets reach the end of their life. Many oyster growers have stockpiled baskets, rather than disposing of them to landfill, with the stockpile currently estimated at 1 300 to 1 500 tonnes.
The EPA will continue to assist the industry implement recommendations from the feasibility study.
Aquaculture licence and lease applications
The Aquaculture Act 2001 is administered by Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA). In accordance with provisions of section 59, all licence applications and amendments must be referred to and approved by the EPA before the licence can be granted.
During the year, 16 licence applications were referred to the EPA, all of which were assessed within the statutory timeframe of six weeks.
Aquaculture policies and guidelines
The EPA addresses and responds to the statutory requirements of the Development Act 1993, the establishment of general policies and aquaculture zone policies prescribed under the Aquaculture Act 2001 and general aquaculture issues.
During 201314, the EPA provided comment on the following aquaculture policies and guidelines, as drafted by PIRSA:
- PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture landbased aquaculture category review (2013) report
- Statement of Intent for the review of the Aquaculture (ZonesEastern Spencer Gulf) Policy
- Statement of Intent for the Ceduna Aquaculture Zone Policy.
Aquaculture environmental surveys
The EPA conducts regular environmental surveys of aquaculture industry operations, with the aim of increasing industry awareness of the environmental obligations and associated policies these operations have under the EP Act. In addition, the surveys also provide information on potential environmental issues, which can then assist the EPA with its assessment of licence applications and the provision of advice about PIRSA aquaculture policies.
During 2013–14, the EPA completed 15 environmental surveys of aquaculture facilities located across South Australia.
Streamlining tuna industry regulation 90-day project
Upon the successful completion of the Change@SouthAustralia 90-day project to streamline the regulation of the tuna industry, a second tuna 90-day project was initiated by PIRSA in collaboration with the EPA and the Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association (ASBTIA) to continue the further work identified in the initial program.
As a result of this project, the following outcomes were achieved, which were presented to industry at a workshop held in Port Lincoln on 27 November 2013:
- a streamlined process for the assessment of tuna licence applications
- a framework for benthic habitat assessment of proposed tuna sites with seagrass
- an agreed assessment process relating to veterinary chemical use
- the identification of broad objectives to underpin the review of environmental monitoring for tuna that would incorporate regionalscale considerations.
At the completion of the project, the Memorandum of Administrative Agreement (MAA), which incorporates these outcomes, was formalised between the EPA, PIRSA and ASBTIA, and signed by the respective chief executives on 14 February 2014. This MAA presents the following benefits:
- a reduction in red tape and regulatory burden for the tuna industry
- improved relationships between the Government of South Australia and the seafood sector
- more effective and efficient management of the tuna industry, while ensuring environmental risks identified by the EPA and PIRSA are adequately assessed, managed and monitored.
The EPA in collaboration with PIRSA are continuing to work with ASBTIA to implement the outcomes of the MAA.