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Port development could scuttle giant cuttlefish - by Andrew Faulkner
A vulnerable and genetically distinct population of giant cuttlefish stands in the way of the mining industry's bid for a deep-sea port in South Australia's Spencer Gulf.
The shallows off Port Bonython, 25km northeast of the steel city of Whyalla, are the world's largest breeding ground for the giant Australian cuttlefish, which, at up to 1.5m long, are the largest of their kind.
But the mining industry is eyeing this spot for a deep-sea port to take its billions of dollars of uranium, copper, gold and other minerals to the world. The state Government has shown its hand by buying land for "future developments" at the site, putting mining wealth and conservation on a collision course in this narrow stretch of water 220km north of Adelaide. Marine biologists, fishers and environment groups are gravely concerned for the cuttlefish's future if Port Bonython is expanded.
The expansion and associated dredging could kill off the cuttlefish, which, according to Adelaide University marine biologist Bronwyn Gillanders, is a species all of its own.
After being nearly fished out 10years ago, a moratorium has allowed stocks to recover - but the cuttlefish faces an uncertain future as it breeds only once in its one-to-two-year lifetime, so any change in its environment could be fatal.
I would have thought that with the vast amount of coastline Australia has, there would be no need to build in this particular area. Also our mining industry more often than not, gets the final say in the matter.
Port development could scuttle giant cuttlefish - by Andrew Faulkner
A vulnerable and genetically distinct population of giant cuttlefish stands in the way of the mining industry's bid for a deep-sea port in South Australia's Spencer Gulf.
The shallows off Port Bonython, 25km northeast of the steel city of Whyalla, are the world's largest breeding ground for the giant Australian cuttlefish, which, at up to 1.5m long, are the largest of their kind.
But the mining industry is eyeing this spot for a deep-sea port to take its billions of dollars of uranium, copper, gold and other minerals to the world. The state Government has shown its hand by buying land for "future developments" at the site, putting mining wealth and conservation on a collision course in this narrow stretch of water 220km north of Adelaide. Marine biologists, fishers and environment groups are gravely concerned for the cuttlefish's future if Port Bonython is expanded.
The expansion and associated dredging could kill off the cuttlefish, which, according to Adelaide University marine biologist Bronwyn Gillanders, is a species all of its own.
After being nearly fished out 10years ago, a moratorium has allowed stocks to recover - but the cuttlefish faces an uncertain future as it breeds only once in its one-to-two-year lifetime, so any change in its environment could be fatal.
I would have thought that with the vast amount of coastline Australia has, there would be no need to build in this particular area. Also our mining industry more often than not, gets the final say in the matter.
