The Australian Democrats have welcomed an Environment, Resources and Development Committee report on Louth Bay tuna farms which vindicates Democrat criticisms raised over the last twelve months.

Australian Democrats Primary Industries spokesperson, Ian Gilfillan, said that the report "seriously undermines the integrity of both the State Government and the Minister for Primary Industries in their performance on aquaculture."

"The unanimous findings of the committee (which includes members of the State Government), blows the Minister’s consistent claims that all is well with aquaculture sky high.

"Importantly, the report finds that the State Government has permitted tuna boat farms to operate illegally in Louth Bay for the last three years, and has dragged its feet over action to rectify the situation.

"Further, when the independent ERD Court highlighted the State Government’s incompetence with Louth Bay, the Minister used regulations to override the court’s finding."

"It is time that the State Government took heed of this report’s recommendations for economically and ecologically sound aquaculture in South Australia."

• A requirement for further research and monitoring of the long term effects of tuna feedlotting on the marine environment;
• Reason to suspect that Fisheries officers may have been hindered in attempts to enforce legislation;
• The need for more officers to monitor compliance to tuna feedlot legislation;
• Concerns at the significant number of aquaculture exemptions, which highlight the urgent need for adequate and comprehensive legislation;
• A lack of knowledge amongst aquaculture developers of their rights and responsibilities, and a desperate need for ongoing education in this area;
• A call for the introduction of provisions to protect the aquaculture industry from emergencies such as the Boston Bay tuna deaths; and,
• The need for clear identification markers for tuna farm markers and equipment.