The South-Eastern Professional Fishermen’s Association says it is concerned about the possible impacts of a new wave energy development.
Green energy company Oceanlinx has received nearly $4 million from the Federal Government to demonstrate shallow wave energy technology, off the Port MacDonnell coast.
The association’s executive officer, Justin Phillips, says it is unclear what type of exclusion zones will be put in place.
“It seems it’s definitely going to be in an area that’s potentially fished by the industry as well, but then if you have that structure in the water you then potentially have exclusion zones around that,” he said.
“In this instance then we would also raise the question of are there not only exclusion zones around whatever structure is in the water and whatever mechanisms there are in place to get power back to the grid on the mainland.”
He says the region is one of the state’s most valuable commercial fisheries.
“It generates … around $200 million worth of economic activity for the state, so it’s a fishery which is very valuable for South Australia, very valuable for the regions in the Limestone Coast and south-east region,” he said.
“I’d hope to learn some more information about these projects and the potential impacts they may have on that industry in the very near future.”
Oceanlinx says it has been working with local stakeholders and intends to continue public consultation.
