Commercial fishers and aquaculture operators will be eligible for grants of up to $100,000 as part of the joint State and Commonwealth $28 million funding package to tackle the effect of the harmful algal bloom.

Small businesses impacted by the event will also be able to apply for up to $10,000 if they can demonstrate a 30 per cent decline in business turnover.

The package, which will cover industry and community support, science and research, communications and clean up, comes after the State Government matched $14 million in funding committed by the Federal Government.

Businesses eligible for grants of up to $10,000 include:

• marine or coastal tourism operators
• charter boat and fishing charter operators
• marine-based sport and/or schools (e.g. surf schools)
• commercial fisheries and aquaculture licence holders
• seafood processors
• marine/fishing supply chain manufacturers/retailers (e.g. tackle shops, suppliers)
• coastal caravan parks and camping grounds and accommodation
• beachfront kiosks/cafés.

The commercial fisheries grants are in recognition of the fact that some operators have been forced to close or have suffered a significant reduction in available seafood to catch.

The grants will include:

• Immediate payment of $25,000 for fisheries or aquaculture licence holders forced to close by authorities for more than one month or suffering a 50 per cent reduction in catch or harvest for a three-month period since April.
• An additional payment of up to $75,000 where a 50 per cent reduction in turnover can also be demonstrated. Payments will be tiered based on turnover.

Businesses can apply for grants from 9am on 29 July, and the State Government is committing to processing applications within 15 business days.

In addition to support grants, the State Government will also waive fishing licensing fees for the September quarter, following on from a waiver of fees for the June quarter. Fishing licensing fees will continue to be reviewed on a quarter-by-quarter basis, with fee relief extended if necessary.

Mental health assistance will also be provided, including funding for the ‘Stay Afloat’ industry mental health program to be rolled out across South Australia.

Other key measures of the plan include:

Science and research

• Coastal Monitoring Network - investing in expanded early detection and monitoring of harmful algal bloom species through real-time sensors (buoys), satellite imagery and oceanographic modelling, with rapid detection of harmful algal blooms and early warning systems for industry. ($8.5 million)
• New national testing laboratory in SA for harmful algal bloom and brevetoxin/biotoxin testing. Currently, samples are sent to New Zealand for analysis, resulting in delays of up to a week. ($2 million)
• Rapid assessment of fish stocks and fisheries to quantify impact, including modelling ecological impacts on near shore marine ecosystems and all sanctuary zones utilising remote underwater video surveys and dive surveys. ($3 million)
• Citizen Science - rapid meta-analysis of citizen science records and documented ecological impacts to provide a baseline understanding from which to assess recovery.
• Develop a dedicated harmful algal bloom response plan for future bloom events.

Communications

• Harmful Algal Bloom Taskforce to meet every Thursday, with a media conference to follow to keep the public informed on latest developments.
• Public forums for impacted coastal communities and a trusted single point of information and contact for timely, accurate, and clear communication to industry and the public including a single phone hotline, website, consistent physical signage and information.
• Public information campaigns focused on rebuilding confidence and driving visitation to our coastal regions and marine-based tourism businesses and promoting the seafood industry and benefits of recreational fishing. ($2 million)

Community support and clean up

• Community fund to support activities and small projects in affected communities. ($3 million)
• Beach clean-up funding for local government to assist cleaning up dead fish and marine life. ($1 million)

The State Government has also released new underwater footage captured by the patrol vessel Southern Ranger, which visited sites in the Gulf of St Vincent last week.

The vision reveals the impact of the harmful algal bloom across several important marine sanctuaries, with suspected visual signs of the algal bloom and rough seas reducing visibility to less than 2m in places.

The Southern Ranger visited the Zanoni shipwreck in the Upper Gulf St Vincent Marine Park. The footage shows many of the sponges, cold water corals and other filter-feeding organisms have been clearly impacted at the shipwreck site.

Around the Aldinga Reef and the Rapid Head sanctuary zones many invertebrates, such as sponges and ascidians, still appeared to be healthy with colour retained in their structures. However, some of these were starting to show signs of stress with white patches appearing in places.

Because conditions change quickly, the best way to stay up to date is via the official South Australian government hub.