Ry Quilliam
The Fisheries and Aquaculture Division of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is undertaking a targeted stakeholder consultation process for an application received from Ry Quilliam, which seeks to vary an existing aquaculture lease and corresponding licence held under the Aquaculture Act 2001.
Consultation closes 5.00 pm 18 July 2025.
Location
The application relates to an existing 1-hectare aquaculture lease (AL00118) and its corresponding licence (FM00088) located in the Mount Dutton Bay aquaculture zone, prescribed under the Aquaculture (Zones – Coffin Bay) Policy 2008.
The current location of the aquaculture lease and licence is located approximately 6.93 kilometres westward from the township of Wangary, on the north-western side of Mount Dutton Bay.
Proposed location
The application submitted proposes to move the 1-hectare lease and licence approximately 3.9 kilometres southeast of its current location.
An interactive map can be accessed through the Aquaculture Public Register by searching the lease (AL00118) and licence (FM00088) numbers and selecting the application registration types.
Copies of draft lease and licence certificates can also be viewed by selecting the lease and licence registration. However, note the conditions of each are subject to change depending on the results of the assessment process and whether the application is approved.
Proposed farming methods
The applicant proposes to use a combination of floating basket longlines (Hexcyl, BST and Zapco) (Figure 1). These farming methods have previously been approved in the Mount Dutton Bay aquaculture zone.
Twelve longlines of 133-metre length are proposed for installation. However, the maximum permitted length of each type of longline in the Mount Dutton Bay aquaculture zone is outlined below and equates to a maximum of 4000 baskets. This aims to maintain consistency with the number of baskets capable of being held along four kilometres of traditional (BST-type) intertidal longline systems (being 4000 baskets). Individual longlines would be oriented in a north-south direction with approximately six metres between each line.
Two galvanised steel posts per longline are proposed for securing long lines in place. Each post would be secured 1.2 metres into the seafloor and extend slightly above mid-water level. Extra posts would be installed on the outer rows to ensure longlines do not bow outside the licensed area. Each post would have a poly slide for the longline and a stopper cap on the top to prevent the longline detaching.
BST Floating Baskets
The BST style of floating contained longline (Figure 1a) involves the use of detachable floating injection-moulded BST oyster baskets paired along the length of surface longlines. The system also provides the ability for one basket to sit on top of another, as well as for
baskets to be flipped to either side of the longline, thereby increasing the overall exposure of sunlight to the benthic habitat and decreasing the level of biofouling on culture units.
Generally, two baskets are attached per metre of longline with up to a maximum of 200 baskets per 100 metres of longline. Baskets are attached to the longline using two plastic T-clips that are connected to two plastic lanyards, which are attached to the basket.
The maximum length of BST floating basket longline permitted in the Mount Dutton Bay aquaculture zone is 2000 metres per licensed hectare.
Floating mesh bags (Zapco)
The Zapco floating mesh bags (Figure 1b) involves the use of detachable floating oyster growing bags paired along the length of surface longlines. Generally, two floating mesh bags are attached per metre of longline.
The system provides the ability for one mesh bag to sit on top of another, as well as for both mesh bags to be flipped to either side of the longline, thereby increasing the overall exposure of sunlight to the benthic habitat and decreasing the level of biofouling on culture units.
The maximum length of floating mesh bag longline permitted in the Mount Dutton Bay aquaculture zone is 1780 metres per licensed hectare.
Hexcyl Baskets (Flip Farm)
The use of floating Hexcyl basket longlines (FlipFarm™ style; Figure 1c) involves the use of moulded high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic baskets which are attached permanently to a heavy duty longline through a central axle sleeve attached to the bottom of the basket. This central axle allows the basket to be rotated around the longline which allows baskets to be placed in either the growing orientation (float up), or drying orientation (basket up).
The maximum length of floating Flip Farm type of contained longline permitted in the Mount Dutton Bay aquaculture zone is 1,480 metres per licensed hectare.
Figure 1 – Example of the proposed floating basket systems to be used for oyster farming:
(a) BST floating baskets (photo credit: BST oyster supplies 2023, www.bstoysters.com/oyster-farming/upcoming/)
(b) Floating mesh bags (B; photo credit: Zapco Aquaculture 2023, www.zapcoaquaculture.com/equipment/oyster-long-line-floating-mesh-bags)
(c) Hexcyl baskets (photo credit: Paul Huxtable 2019 for Hexcyl Systems Pty Ltd., www.hexcylsystems.com.au)
Additional information
Additional information relating to marine licence holder responsibilities, application assessment process and general leasing and licensing matters can be found using the below links.
Marine licence holder responsibilities - PIRSA
Lease and Licence variation assessment process
Contact
Mandee Theil, Manager, Aquaculture and Environmental Assessment
Email: Mandee.Theil@sa.gov.au