Pipis have been collected along the state’s shoreline for thousands of years by First Nations people.
In modern times the iconic shellfish is not only an important fishing bait but, increasingly, a star ingredient whether cooked with garlic and white wine for a hearty bowl of spaghetti or fried in a wok with XO sauce and served with noodles.
Authorities have reminded people collecting pipis from South Australian beaches this season – which runs until June 1 – that there are strict laws around the harvesting of the bivalve.
The minimum legal length is 3.5cm across the widest part of the shell, with a personal daily bag limit of 100 pipis a day west of longitude 136°E (including Gunyah Beach) and 300 a day east of this longitude, including Goolwa Beach.
The daily vehicle limit when there are three or more people in the vehicle taking pipis is 300 west of 136°E and 900 east of that line. The limit a person can have in their possession at any one time is 1200.
Fishers are also reminded that the taking of pipis is prohibited on the Younghusband Peninsula (Coorong Beach) between the Murray Mouth and 28 Mile Crossing.
Last pipi season was interrupted by the closure of Goolwa Beach to recreational fishing in January after the detection of E.coli above levels safe for human consumption.
Because of the closure, last year's season was extended for 12 weeks at Goolwa Beach to allow more South Australians to collect this valuable natural resource.
For more information visit the Department of Primary Industries and Regions.
