Friday, 2 May 2014
Contact Fontella Koleff, Acting Communications Manager - Fisheries and
Aquaculture, 8226 2922 / 0417 290 418
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Goolwa Beach Pipi closure
PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture has closed Goolwa Beach to recreational Pipi
(Goolwa Cockle) fishing for the month of May due to concerns over Diarrhetic Shellfish
toxin levels along the beach.
Testing by the South Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (SASQAP) has
shown that the Diarrhetic Shellfish toxin levels in the area are above what is considered
safe for human consumption.
This extension effectively closes Goolwa Beach until the end of the regular
recreational Pipi fishing season on 31 May. The 2014-15 recreational Pipi fishing
season is due to open on 1 November 2014.
The closure, which came into effect from 9am today (Friday, 2 May) covers the entire
Goolwa Beach from the Murray Mouth to Middleton Point near Mill Terrace at Middleton.
PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture Executive Director, Mehdi Doroudi said it was
unfortunate that the recreational Pipi season had been cut short; however public safety
was paramount in implementing the closure.
“These toxins can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea and as we
have been advised that these types of toxins can remain within Pipis for a period of two
months we had no choice but to end the season early,” he said.
“SASQAP will continue to monitor the situation during the closed season and conduct
further testing to ensure that when the season reopens in November, shellfish quality is
at an appropriately safe level for Pipi fishing to occur.”
Temporary signs will be erected at Goolwa Beach notifying the public of the closure.
More information is available at www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishing or through the SA Recreation
Fishing Guide smartphone app which is suitable for Apple, Windows and Android
mobile devices and can be downloaded from www.pir.sa.gov.au/recfishingapp.