Concern for Giant Cuttlefish at whyalla.

[JimSwims 31]

Hi Folks,

 

I read with some concern about reports of a massive drop in the numbers of Giant Cuttlefish aggregating at Whyalla to breed. It is a

unique and amazing event but due to very short lifespan of these amazing molluscs such a plummet in numbers is worrying.

 

Article Online

 

Hopefully it's simply a natural anomaly and the usual numbers will return. Clearly, going by the report, extending the sanctuary would

certainly help them bounce back.

 

Cheers,

Jim.

[Pfuller 1]

BHP have earmarked Point Lowly as the site for its planned desalination plant for its Olympic dam mining operations, and have recently conducted "environment impact studies" for the project. Apparently these plans are nearing approval with the SA Liberals giving it its support.

 

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/lib...3-1226078683033

 

Point Lowly is a very remote area, and although there's no doubt a small lobby group that's working hard to protect it, its isolation makes it an easy target for exploitation.

 

The dive and fishing industries might just have the largest vested interests in protecting this area and this unique phenomena. So as a diving community, we need to try to activate sufficient opposition to stop this desal plant going ahead. THIS IS NOT AN SUITABLE SITE, ITS JUST THE CHEAPEST!

 

Please raise your concerns to Mike Rann the premier of South Australia on the following email address:

 

premier@dpc.sa.gov.au

 

The wilderness society also has a template letter:

 

http://www.wilderness.org.au/pdf/letter%20...wly%20desal.pdf

 

Don't sit on your hands on this one people. Its too easy to email these days..if your reading this you have the ability to make a change immediately. This phenomena is unique in the world..there are other coral reefs, there are other shark dives, but there is only one mass cuttlefish aggregation site. If you haven't seen this phenomena, then you may never get the opportunity if this desalination plant goes ahead.

 

Most concerns seem to be centred on the high salinity of the discharge from the plant and the low current nature of the Spencer Gulf, but all i can bring to mind is this image i took of a pufferfish in port phillip bay caught in a seawater extraction pipe. This was from a small scale aqua-culture facility...not a large scale desal plant. Imagine what hope juvenile cuttlefish have got of outswimming the vortex like suction that these units will create.

 

 

Here's my blog entries and photos from my trip last august if you want to get a feel for the area.

 

http://www.peterfuller.com.au/blog/?p=1395

http://www.peterfuller.com.au/blog/?p=1397

http://www.peterfuller.com.au/blog/?p=1403

http://www.peterfuller.com.au/blog/?p=1400

[photovan 0]

Please everyone, take the time to support a the call for protecting this amazing aggregation.

 

We were there this past June, and numbers were definitely down when compared with my previous experiences.

 

Thanks Jim for bringing this to the attention of everyone, and thanks for the links Peter.

[derway 2]

done. thanks

[derway 2]

This email address is no longer listened too! Got this email response, which includes a valid way to submit comments..

 

===========

The email addresses premier@dpc.sa.gov.au and premier@dpc.sagov.sa.gov.au are no longer monitored. As a result, your message has not been received by the Office of the Premier.

 

To resubmit your correspondence please visit the Premier's website at http://www.premier.sa.gov.au and click on the 'Have Your Say' link.

===========

 

This should get you there more quickly.

 

http://www.premier.sa.gov.au/index.php?opt...forme&fid=1

Edited July 28, 2011 by derway

[Cuttlefish Country 0]

Thanks for your expressions of concern everyone, this desalination proposal has been looming over the cuttlefish aggregation for some time.

 

With the Liberals on side, it shows little indication of being rejected, despite the conflicting science of the risk the outfall poses to the adjacent environment. Can you belive this is being proposed WITHIN a proposed Marine Park, and adjacent to multiple known fish nurseries?

 

I'm a documentary filmmaker and have visited the aggregation several times over the years. We have a documentary film and online video series in production focussing on future of this fragile environment, and we've been rallying support for its protection from around the world.

 

We have thus far collected over 2000 signatures from 58 countries in support of the relocation, but we've been recommended that 5000 is the magic number in order to crack national media and draw some much needed heat on the Government for what is likely to be a lamentable decision on their part... with horrendous side effects for fisheries, tourism and the liveability of the area for locals (there are other industrial proposals for the area, queued up behind the desal project, including a deep water port for the export of minerals).

 

Ultimately, what we want is the region rezoned for recreation, conservation and tourism... and rejecting the desal is the important first step.

 

Please help by signing this petition, sharing it with your friends via email, facebook, twitter, blogs... we need to hit 5000 signatures as fast as possible, as Mike Rann (our state premier) will be stepping down on October 20, and he's included this project in his 'unfinished business' file he wants concluded before leaving office.

 

We also have some more resources on our 'Take Action' page on our website, which can be found here. These include bumper stickers and tshirts you can buy, and free posters you can download, print and distribute.

 

Thanks for your solidarity everyone.

 

Dan Monceaux