The South Australian Sardine Industry harvests Australian Sardines (Sardinops sagax) from Southern Australia’s vibrant marine environment
South Australia's Sardine Fishing Industry Under Threat Amid Algal Bloom Crisis
AUSTRALIA
Thursday, September 11, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)
Producers tell a federal inquiry that confusing information and a "relentless" media campaign are impacting their livelihood despite their catch being safe to eat.
PORT LINCOLN, South Australia — The South Australian seafood industry is sounding the alarm over the financial and social impact of a widespread harmful algal bloom. During a federal Senate inquiry, industry leaders testified that while their products remain safe, "relentless media coverage" and fragmented government information have shaken consumer confidence and forced businesses to "abandon" traditional fishing grounds.
Claire Webber, executive officer of the South Australian Sardine Industry Association, told the inquiry that the bloom has created "tremendous uncertainty". She noted that sardine vessels have stopped fishing in the Gulf of St Vincent and Investigator Strait, and catches from the Gulf are down a staggering 72% compared to previous amounts, with most of the limited catch occurring before the bloom intensified. This has led to lost fishing days, higher costs, and regional employment insecurity.
Claire Webber and David Wood
The economic fallout is severe. The Port Lincoln tuna industry, which supports up to 1,000 jobs and generates over $100 million in export revenue annually, is also under strain. John Isle, a veteran tuna farmer, warned that a major failure could have "immeasurable" social and economic consequences for the Eyre Peninsula.
Adding to the concerns, major seafood producer Yumbah has reported a direct financial impact of approximately $5 million, a significant portion of the company's $100 million annual revenue target. Yumbah CEO David Wood stated the company was forced to stand down workers and is suffering from lost harvest potential due to the crisis.
Scientists have also testified before the inquiry, calling for more than $40 million to address critical gaps in algal bloom data and ocean monitoring. Stefan Andrew, co-founder of the Great Southern Reef Foundation, said the event has caused the "most extensive marine mortality recorded in South Australia". The lack of coordinated, publicly available information is a major challenge for the industry, which feels it is struggling to get a clear view of the bloom's true impact.
.png)
Print
