South Aussie seafood lovers have been thrown a timely Easter win, with Goolwa pipis officially back on the menu after months of restrictions.
Following extensive testing, authorities have confirmed pipis collected from Goolwa Beach are now safe for human consumption, reopening a much-loved local tradition just as the long weekend gets underway.
The update comes after monitoring showed the vast majority of South Australian waters are now free from Karenia algae, including along the Goolwa and Coorong coastline. Recreational fishers can once again collect pipis between Middle Point and the Murray Mouth for eating, not just bait.
It’s a welcome shift after a cautious season, where since the start of the 2025–26 pipi season, beach-collected pipis were restricted to bait use only. Recent testing by the South Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (SASQAP) has confirmed brevetoxin levels have dropped back to safe levels, allowing the green light for consumption.
Importantly, all commercially available pipis have remained safe to eat throughout, thanks to strict ongoing testing protocols.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said the timing couldn’t be better, encouraging South Australians to get behind local seafood producers this Easter.
“I join the state’s recreational fishing community and seafood enthusiasts in welcoming the lifting of restrictions on Goolwa pipis,” she said.
“As Easter weekend gets underway, I encourage all South Australians to support our seafood producers and to enjoy some delicious Goolwa pipis.”
Executive Director of the South Australian Research and Development Institute, Professor Mike Steer, confirmed consistent testing over recent weeks has ensured food safety standards are being met.
“SASQAP has been testing pipis on Goolwa Beach regularly to ensure food safety standards are met, and the satisfactory results in the past two weeks confirms they are safe,” he said.
“We will continue to test pipis on Goolwa Beach to be sure they remain safe for the public to consume.”
For recreational fishers, bag limits remain in place to protect stocks:
- Goolwa Beach: 330 pipis per person, per day
- Gulf St Vincent: 165 pipis per person, per day
The recreational pipi season at Goolwa runs through until 31 May, giving locals and visitors a solid window to make the most of the return.
CEO of RecFish SA, Asher Deszery, said the announcement restores confidence for fishers and seafood lovers alike, especially heading into one of the busiest times of year.
“Pipis represent an important part of the South Australia fishing lifestyle for use as bait and for consumption particularly leading into Easter,” he said.
