The juvenile abalone unloaded by Destiny Abalone at the Kingscote jetty last week was grown in hatcheries on Kangaroo Island and Eyre Peninsula and complied with all regulations, according to the executive director of aquaculture for PIRSA Ian Nightingale.
The abalone have become part of a battle between the company and the Maritime Union of Australia because it comes from the Destiny Queen floating abalone farm, owned by Destiny Abalone, which has been moored in SA waters this week for refuelling and which the MUA claims harbours illegal and underpaid workers.
Mr Nightingale said allegations the abalone were illegally harvested were wrong.
Destiny Abalone chief executive Lesley Wahlqvist said the abalone was taken from the Destiny Queen last week and transferred to Destiny Hatcheries at Smith Bay and would be returned to the Destiny Queen after it returned from its re-fit in China. Mr Nightingale confirmed the company applied for a licence two months ago to re-fuel and unload its abalone.
“It is completely incorrect to suggest the abalone is illegally harvested. The company has complied with all licences and regulations required of it by PIRSA. This is legitimately farmed abalone,” Mr Nightingale said.
He said PIRSA had no jurisdiction over the staffing of the Destiny Queen.