The Eyre Regional Development Board held the Eyre Peninsula Seafood and Mining Industries Forum to discuss the effect iron ore shipping from Port Lincoln would have on the fishing industry.

Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Association president Brian Jeffriess said Port Neill was being canvassed as an alternative to Port Lincoln’s Proper Bay wharf, which Centrex has signed a lease to ship out of.

Other ports being considered included Whyalla, but Thevenard and Port Bonython could be more viable.

“Most of the potential developments are more on the western side of Eyre Peninsula, therefore Thevenard might be the best option - it has a shorter shipping time, but most of these things are not looking to develop in the next five years,” he said.

“One of the issues was timing for these developments.”

However Port Bonython was the most developed port, so this also could be a better option.

There were concerns shipping out of Port Lincoln could have a negative effect on the multi-million-dollar fishing industry, by causing algal blooms and destroying the clean green image, the industry’s strongest marketing tool.

“There were some things which heightened our concerns.

“There are two concerns - the image of Port Lincoln now is based on a clean, green, non-industrial environment.

“That’s the only way we compete with lower cost countries and the Australian dollar.

“Then there’s the potential effect on aquaculture - if you put iron in the water, it can cause algal blooms.”

He said the seafood industry was pleased with the results of the forum, with their concerns being made clear.

“It’s a matter of going away and assessing what information was presented, and following up alternatives to Port Lincoln.”

Centrex Metals chief operating officer Kevin Malaxos said those attending the forum on Monday supported mining, but issues needed to be resolved.

“One of the forum’s strengths was that it enabled all parties to air their views in a fair and open manner, away from the emotion evident in some quarters,” he said.

“It was our first opportunity to deliver some of the facts to senior industry and council representatives of Port Lincoln, dispel some of the rumours and misinformation and also hear the concerns of the seafood industry as a combined body.

“Centrex is confident that the issues raised by the seafood industry, and the community at large, can be managed and that operating strategies can be developed to ensure that both groups can operate concurrently in conjunction with other port users.

“One of the most important outcomes from our perspective was the agreement of everyone at the meeting that they unanimously support mining on Eyre Peninsula; what is needed is resolve to find sustainable solutions to the transport and export port issues.

“This shall be our focus in future talks with the seafood industry.”

Meanwhile, the State Government will host an open day in Whyalla this Sunday to inform the community about development projects being investigated for Port Bonython.

More than 500 hectares of industrial-zoned land is available near the Port Bonython Santos Facility and the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure is working on many proposals, including a bulk commodities harbour, kingfish harbour, desalination plant, second refinery and fuels refinery.