The Policy for the Management of the Beach-cast Marine Algae Fishery (September 2023) provides a comprehensive management framework for the commercial harvest of beach-cast seagrass and marine algae (referred to as “wrack”) from South Australian beaches. Managed by PIRSA, this fishery operates under a set of licences and permits and aims to balance ecological sustainability with commercial use. The policy outlines the ecological role of wrack in coastal ecosystems, its importance for shorebird habitats, and the conditions under which harvesting is allowed, including geographic limits, seasonal closures, and reporting requirements. The policy also incorporates an ecosystem-based fisheries management approach and includes a detailed risk assessment to protect threatened species and coastal environments.
