Spencer Gulf & West Coast Prawn Association Inc.

The Prawn Association is a non-profit Primary Resources Development Organisation that formed in 1968 and was incorporated in South Australia on 14 February 1984. It represents the Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishery licence holders.

The Association’s business covers a diverse range of industry issues and activities, with a focus on pre and post prawn harvest. The diverse range of services that the Prawn Association provides to its members includes:

• Effective fisheries management
• Strategic communication, planning and implementation with Government
• Strategic policy development, management and advice
• Input into wider seafood industry initiatives
• Prawn industry public relations
• Prawn industry event management and promotion

The success of the Association has been through the commitment of licence holders to build relationships with other stakeholders and the public for our future.

Two members from the Spencer Gulf & West Coast Prawn Fisherman's Association

About the Prawn Association

There are three prawn fisheries within South Australia:

•    West Coast
•    Spencer Gulf
•    Gulf St Vincent

The Prawn Association represents  both the West Coast and the Spencer Gulf when conducting its business.

The Association employs three staff to carry out operations, manage projects and deal with day-to-day activities. Two of the three positions conduct all of the management and administration functions, whilst the other position focuses on the operational side of the business (fishing). The work undertaken by staff is directed by the Management Committee.

Management Committee

The Management Committee is comprised of nine members as provided for in the Association’s Constitution: an independent chairperson; seven licence holders (or their nominees) of the Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery and one licence holder (or their nominee) from the West Coast Prawn Fishery. Membership to the committee is staggered between members for a two year term to ensure there is continuity in corporate knowledge.  Members can sit for sequential terms.

The Constitution also provides for the establishment of Sub-Committees by the Management Committee as required.

At least one Management Committee member must sit on a Sub-Committee. These positions are also voluntary, and can require more time and commitment from members than that of Management Committee members.

Sub-Committees that have been established include:

  • Committee At Sea
  • Promotions Sub-Committee
  • Research Sub-Committee
  • Horsepower Sub-Committee
  • Cost Recovery Sub-Committee
  • EMS Sub-Committee
  • Economic Optimisation Sub-Committee
  • Management Plan Sub-Committee

Co-management with Government

The Prawn Association operates under Co-management arrangements with the government to manage the prawn fisheries. This arrangement has evolved over time, through the Prawn Association demonstrating its commitment to the environment, credibility and good governance practices.

Skippers Code of Practice

The Prawn Association has developed a number of gentlemens agreements to prevent fishing in waters to be protected, and policies and agreements for the safe and good conduct of fishers.

The Skippers Code of Practice is a significant working tool that the prawn industry uses specifically developed for the safety of fishers (ie stop fishing in bad weather) as well as quality enhancement of the product.

Additionally, the Prawn Association works with other commercial fishers to ensure practices within the fishing industry is safe and done in a respectful manner.