Algal Bloom financial support programs expanded

The algal bloom event affecting parts of South Australia’s coastline is constantly evolving – and so must our response.

This week, new guidelines were released for the Algal Bloom Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant (payments of up to $100,000) and Algal Bloom Small Business Support Grant ($10,000).

These changes are summarised below:

Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant

• A reduction in the minimum business turnover required in the 2023-24 or 2024-25 financial years, from $100,000 to $75,000.
  • + easier grant access for commercial fishery or aquaculture license holders who have already had their fees waived by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA).
• For Tier 1, the requirement to demonstrate a 50 percent or more decline in catch/harvest in a consecutive three-month period has been reduced to 30 percent.
• For Tier 2, the requirement to demonstrate a decline in business turnover of 50 percent or more has been reduced to 30 percent.
• There are now lower thresholds for these additional payments. If business turnover in 2023-24 was above:
  • $200,000, an applicant is eligible to receive additional $25,000 payment
  • $400,000, an applicant is eligible to receive additional $50,000 payment
  • $600,000, an applicant is eligible to receive additional $75,000 payment.
• The requirement to demonstrate a decline in catch/harvest and decline in business turnover may now be demonstrated in any consecutive three-month period from 1 April 2025 to 31 October 2025.

Algal Bloom Small Business Support Grant

• 30 per cent decline in turnover may now be demonstrated in any consecutive three-month period from 1 April 2025 to 31 October 2025.

The application close date for both grant programs has been extended until 30 November 2025.