Sarah Herrmann, Yorke Peninsula Country Times

Grants of up to $100,000 will be available to fisheries and aquaculture businesses significantly affected by the harmful algae bloom, Premier Peter Malinauskas announced during his visit to Yorke Peninsula yesterday, July 28.

This will include an immediate payment of $25,000 for fisheries or aquaculture licence holders forced to close by authorities for more than one month, or for those who have experienced a 50 per cent reduction in their catch or harvest for a three-month period since April.

An additional payment of up to $75,000 will apply where a 50 per cent reduction in turnover can also be demonstrated.

Small businesses that can demonstrate a 30 per cent decline in business turnover will be eligible for the previously announced $10,000 small business grants.

Eligible businesses include marine and coastal tourism operators; charter boat and fishing charter operators; marine-based sports and schools; commercial fisheries and aquaculture licence holders; seafood processors; marine and fishing supply chain manufacturers and retailers; coastal caravan parks and camping grounds and accommodation; and beachfront kiosks and cafés.

Businesses can apply for the grants from today, with the State Government committing to processing applications within 15 business days.

“We are very deliberately trying to expedite the process, but we also want to maintain a degree of flexibility, and we will continue to work with industry for people who, for obscure reasons, might fall outside of the eligibility criteria, because we do want to support to those people who need it most,” Mr Malinauskas said, speaking at the Ardrossan jetty.

The government will also waive fishing licensing fees for the September quarter, following its earlier decision to waive fees from April to June for affected fishers.

The premier encouraged South Australians to support areas and industries affected by the bloom.

$100,000 grants for fisheries, aquaculture

“There’s absolutely no reason whatsoever that people can’t visit coastal communities anywhere across the state,” he said.

“We actively encourage people to buy our amazing South Australian seafood that is on the shelf.

“If it’s on the shelf, you can eat it, and you can do that with absolute confidence, knowing that we have some of the highest quality and rigorous testing regimes anywhere in the world.”

Stansbury oyster farmer Steve Bowley said the $100,000 grants were not going to be enough but were a “decent start”.

“It’s a circuit breaker that enables us to pay a few bills and gain a month or so, that’s all it’s going to do,” he said.

“When your partner says to you ‘we’re not putting any more money into this business’, it’s pretty desperate … do you walk away? It’s my superannuation, it’s my life.

“Eighty-five days without any income is a bit tough and this gives us hope and optimism that we’re not being forgotten.”

Mr Bowley and fellow oyster growers Paul Dee, Mick Dee and Michael Dee hosted Mr Malinauskas at the Stansbury harvesting area, before the premier joined his cabinet colleagues at Ardrossan Town Hall to hear from Yorke Peninsula Council.

The YPCT understands tourism minister Zoe Bettison also met in Ardrossan with affected tourism businesses.

For more information or to apply for a grant, visit business. sa.gov.au/algal-bloom.

This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 29 July 2025.
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