LEARNING about the success and challenges of the local fishing industry was the purpose of South Australian Governor Kevin Scarce’s visit to the region this week.

Mr Scarce toured aquaculture facilities at Arno Bay, Coffin Bay, Boston Point and Port Lincoln during a familiarisation visit, including a dinner at the Port Lincoln Hotel hosted by Clean Seas operator Hagen Stehr.

The governor said he wanted to see how the local industry worked first-hand, so he could aid promotion.

“I do some trade promotion, and we have lots of international guests, and I’m often asked about the industry – now I can tell them,” he said.

“I had no idea it was quite so large or the fishing fleet was as extensive as it is.

“We’ve looked at kingfish, mulloway, tuna, oysters and abalone and I’ve been up to the canning factory.”

Mr Scarce had learned about the challenges facing the industry, including future staffing issues.

“It’s the same in industries throughout South Australia – mining, defence and electronics will all need manpower, and if we don’t look at it in some detail, the opportunities won’t come to realisation.”

The trip was a fond, overdue return for Mr Scarce, who had come to Port Lincoln for just a quick fly-in last October.

“This is the first time I’ve been here for 45 years.”

Mr Stehr said the dinner on Monday night was held to showcase the local industry to the governor.

He said the fishing industry was a mass employer on Eyre Peninsula, with at least 700 people employed between some of the industry leaders at the dinner.

“There’s Mario Valcic, Sime Sarin and I’m just the shoemaker, but I’ve got people too,” Mr Stehr said.

Tuna magnate Sime Sarin said he had been dedicated to growing the industry and ensuring employment for locals.

“I’ve given them a job, and said I’ll help you go forward,” he said.