Tony Pasin (Barker, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Coorong is an internationally recognised, Ramsar-listed wetland, a national park that, pre-COVID, welcomed thousands of domestic and international visitors each year. The delicate ecosystem supports many significant endangered flora and fauna.

While tourism is an integral part of the region and its economy, the Coorong has also been an important fishing ground for generations of local fishermen. The livelihoods of these small family-run businesses have been devastated in recent years by increasing numbers of New Zealand fur seals, not native to the sheltered waters of the Coorong. In these waters, they are apex predators and, as such, are causing significant environmental and economic harm.

Coorong Wild Seafood is one such business. For three straight years, they've made a loss. From a payroll of around $250,000 a year, employing eight staff, they now employ two casuals. These are jobs and economic activity that the region simply can't afford to lose.

While the fur seal is protected in Commonwealth waters, there is no legislation protecting them in the waters of the Coorong, where they are not native. I'm supporting a call for the ethical and responsible culling of these animals. I call again on the South Australian state government to take action on this matter. Research and surveys and counts aren't enough. It's time to take real action to reduce the numbers and save our local fishermen.