The State Government has released the Independent Cost Recovery Review Panel's reports into cost recovery for the State's commercial fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
Key findings of the Independent Panel included strong overall support and goodwill from stakeholders for the cost recovery concept in the South Australian fisheries and aquaculture sectors, along with a desire to improve the current cost recovery system.
Areas for improvement that were identified included regular benchmarking and review of PIRSA's compliance and research programs, and a more comprehensive performance framework for cost recovery.
The review delivers on an election commitment announced by the Malinauskas Labor Government in March 2022 to ensure the current models were sustainable and appropriate.
Following a review of the Panel's recommendations, the State Government has fully accepted 28 of the 33 recommendations, with two recommendations partially accepted, two requiring further consideration by industry and one deemed not to be in scope.
Of these, the government believes the panel's recommendations relating to the introduction of fisheries and aquaculture self-insurance funds, should be driven, if there is support, by the respective commercial sectors.
The government is not considering the panel's recommendation to introduce a recreational fishing licence.
To ensure the continual improvement of the current cost recovery model for South Australia's seafood industry, the government will continue discussions and consultation with industry sectors, with all sectors encouraged to provide feedback to PIRSA.
To view the reports from the Independent Cost Recovery Review Panel and the State Government's response, see PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture cost recovery review.
