PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture independent cost recovery review
The South Australian Government has undertaken an independent review of the seafood sector cost recovery policy model, to make sure it is sustainable and appropriate.
Independent Cost Recovery Review Panel
The Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development established the Independent Cost Recovery Review Panel, comprising experts with extensive experience in commercial fishing, natural resource economics, and fisheries economics.
See the review panel terms of reference:
Panel members
Brett McCallum has been involved in the commercial fishing industry for over 40 years and has significant experience in:
- board membership
- high level corporate leadership at both the national and state level
- industry representation
- strategic planning and policy development at both industry and government levels
- business, financial and economic management.
Dr Sarah Jennings is a natural resource economist with broad experience in:
- applying sound economic thinking and analysis to inform marine management
- working in interdisciplinary teams to address complex system-level problems.
Dr Sean Pascoe has over 35 years of experience in fisheries economics. Prior to joining CSIRO in August 2006, Dr Pascoe worked at the University of Portsmouth, UK as:
- Professor of Natural Resource Economics
- Director of the Centre for the Economics and Management of Aquatic Resources.
Review outcomes and government response
Following a review process, the State Government has embraced the majority of the recommendations presented by the Independent Cost Recovery Review Panel. Out of 33 recommendations, 28 have been fully accepted, with 2 recommendations partially accepted, 2 requiring further consideration by industry, and one deemed not to be in scope.
Key findings from the panel include:
- 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
- a review of cost recovery models operating in other Australian states and the Northern Territory found no better alternative system that was consistent with SA policies
- identified areas for improvement, including regular benchmarking, a more comprehensive performance framework for cost recovery, and an independent review of PIRSA's compliance and research programs.
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 panel's recommendation to introduce a recreational fishing licence is not being considered.
Cost Recovery Implementation Committee
A Cost Recovery Implementation Committee (CRIC) has been formed to:
- implement the panel's recommendations to manage all costs effectively
- ensure the sustainability of these vital sectors.
Read the CRIC terms of reference ( ).
The Committee will meet regularly for discussions. Lease and licence holders are encouraged to contact their industry sector representative for consultation and feedback on the cost recovery review process.
The CRIC will guide the evolution of equitable cost recovery mechanisms within South Australia’s seafood sector. This is needed to align the state’s policies with contemporary practices that support industry longevity and prosperity.
A key deliverable of the CRIC will be the benchmarking of PIRSA's Fisheries and Aquaculture science and compliance programs and costs, to be undertaken as part of the 'revise and reset' process. Benchmarking will be undertaken by independent consultants, who will be guided by the terms of reference prepared by the CRIC.
The committee is made up of members from:
- the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA)
- Seafood Industry South Australia (SISA) representing the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
| Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Brian Jeffriess | Independent Chair |
| Kyri Toumazos | Executive Officer – SISA |
| Lynlee Lowe | Aquaculture – SISA |
| Neil MacDonald | Fisheries – SISA |
| Gavin Begg | Executive Director, Fisheries and Aquaculture – PIRSA |
| Michelle Griffiths | Executive Director, Corporate Services – PIRSA |
| Feeras Najjar | General Manager, Regulatory and Business Services, Fisheries and Aquaculture – PIRSA |
- CRIC Chair Report – 13 March 2026 ()
- CRIC Chair Report – 30 January 2026 ()
- CRIC Chair Report – 22 January 2026 ()
- CRIC Chair Report – 12 December 2025 ()
- CRIC Chair Report – 4 November 2025 ()
- CRIC Chair Report – 24 September 2025 ()
- CRIC Chair Report – 14 August 2025 ()
- CRIC Chair Report – 2 July 2025 ()
- CRIC Chair Report – 28 May 2025 ()
- CRIC Chair Report – 13 May 2025 ()
- CRIC Chair Report – 18 March 2025 ()
- CRIC Chair Report – 30 January 2025 ()
- CRIC Chair Report – 7 November 2024 ()
- CRIC Chair Report – 2 October 2024 ()
- CRIC Chair Report – 28 August 2024 ()
Previous reviews
The following periodic reviews are referenced and have informed PIRSA's cost recovery approach: