Following widespread community backlash and a physical blockade, Angel Seafood has put plans to relocate oysters from a closed fishing bay to an open one on indefinite hold.
Of the 20 tonnes of oysters that were being moved from Franklin Harbour to Haslam on Wednesday, only 10 tonnes made it to the water.
Angel Seafood chief executive Zac Halman said the remaining stock had been turned around, while the 10 tonnes that had been translocated were removed and destroyed.
Zac Halman has halted the oyster move. (Supplied: Zac Halman)
“About 180,000 oysters in total [were destroyed]. It’s around a $60–70,000 loss to the business just for the oysters,” he said.
In defence of the move, Mr Halman said that it was standard practice to move oysters from one bay to another, even when various algae were present, and that several measures had been taken as a precaution against spreading the harmful algae.
Oysters had to go through a freshwater wash and be removed from Franklin Harbour waters for 24 hours before redeployment.
He added that Franklin Harbour had only been closed due to the presence of brevetoxins, not the harmful algal bloom.
“Which is a food safety issue, not a biosecurity issue,” he said.
Growers fear algal bloom spread
The stock movement, which was approved by Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) on Wednesday, came as a shock to oyster growers.
The blockade was formed about 45 kilometres from Streaky Bay. (Supplied: Mario Nicholls)
Growers from the neighbouring regions of Streaky Bay and Smoky Bay formed a blockade over fears that translocated oysters could spread a harmful algal bloom to the west coast.
Protest organiser Darren Hammat, who is not an oyster grower but runs a farm near Haslam, said growers and nearby residents wanted more assurance that moving the oysters from Franklin Harbour would be safe.
“I just feel until the science is proven, it’s not worth the risk,” he said.
Darren Hammat helped organise protest efforts. (Supplied: Darren Hammat)
Mr Hammat said if a bloom were to start in the Haslam, based on the topography of Streaky Bay and both the Flinders and Leeuwin currents that run down the coast with warm water, the bloom “will travel down like a freight train”.
“The CEO … is actually a friend of mine, so it’s a bit of an emotional one for me,” he said.
“But he’s allowed to do what he’s going to do, and I’ve decided to do what I’m doing, and I hope that friendship continues, but it’s just how I feel.”
Indigenous leaders say they were not consulted
Indigenous leaders from the Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation (FWCAC) said there was a lack of Indigenous consultation.
FWCAC chief executive Brett Miller called for an immediate suspension of all translocation until a comprehensive environmental and cultural impact assessment was conducted.
He said the decision to move the oysters and the approvals granted by the state government contravened national guidelines, which he said clearly stated traditional custodians should be consulted before translocation occurs.
“The lack of engagement is a clear failure,” he said.
An oyster farm on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. (ABC: Brooke Neindorf)
After sending an open letter to the government on Friday, Mr Miller said it was even more disappointing that there had been no “formal response” from the relevant agencies.
“This is yet again sheer disrespect on their behalf for native title holders and cultural heritage,” he said.
“Native title holders are responsible for protecting sea country and ensuring the long-term sustainability of these ecosystems.”
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA has been contacted for comment.
Mr Halman said there was an indefinite hold on moving further oysters until an agreement between all parties could be reached.
“Even though the approvals are still in place, I think social licensing comes into this a little bit as well,” he said.
“We want to make sure that we’re trying to do the right thing with everyone.”
