A brief summary of the prospects for Upper Spencer Gulf ecology, in light of port, desalination plant and other developments to serve the coming South Australian mining boom. This presentation appears as presented by documentary film director Dan Monceaux to the Biology Society of South Australia, May 3rd 2012.
Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design: Large Language Models"
Cuttlefish Country - Presentation to Biologists - May 2012
1. Cuttlefish Country
A feature-length documentary film exploring the environmental
and social impacts of mining developments around Upper
Spencer Gulf (in production)
Presentation Brief:
An overview of the existing and
future pressures facing the
Giant Australian Cuttlefish and
wider ecology of Upper Spencer
Gulf, South Australia.
Dan Monceaux, Director – Danimations Pty. Ltd. May 2012
2. The Trouble with Cuttles
Lifespan 1-2 years
Eggs vulnerable to salinity increase
Vulnerable to noise pollution
Targetted commercial fishing
2011 Very low population count
Unusually high rainfall year
Unusually late drop in water temp
Groundwater contamination
Eggs not sticking to reef
New resident predators
Kingfish farms relocated
Snapper stocks down
… new industrial developments?
Dan Monceaux, Director – Danimations Pty. Ltd. May 2012
3. Future Developments
Desalination Plants
BHP Billiton Desalination Plant (280 megalitres/day) – approved
Braemar Alliance Desalination Plant (137 megalitres/day) – planning
Port Spencer Desalination Plant (137 megalitres/day) – planning
Port Construction / Expansion
BHP Billiton Landing Facility, Port Augusta – approved
OneSteel Harbor expansion, Whyalla – approved
Lucky Bay harbor expansion – approved
Port Bonython expansion – proposed
Port Spencer Construction – proposed
Backy Point Wharf – concept only
Other Developments
Mitsubishi Diesel Storage & Refinery, Point Lowly – approved
ISR uranium mines, south of Whyalla – proposed
Technical Ammonium Nitrate Plant, Point Lowly – planning
Arafura Rare Earths (& Uranium) Processing Plant, Whyalla – planning
Dan Monceaux, Director – Danimations Pty. Ltd. May 2012
4.
5. Calling all
biologists...
Time for some urgent field work!
New development proposals are challenged when they
threaten populations of EPBC Act listed species
EPNRM report notes lack of data for Lowly Peninsula flora and fauna
No cetaceans/great white sharks listed at Port Spencer site, despite anecdotal evidence
Port Spencer bypassed EPBC Act referral, worth challenging
Cuttlefish genetics and morphology studies require more research and funding
Dolphins of Upper Spencer Gulf may also be distinct species/subspecies (ie. Tursiops australis)
Salinity sensitivity of other species' early life stages unknown
Cumulative impact of multiple desal brine inputs, water extraction, industrial contamination?
Dan Monceaux, Director – Danimations Pty. Ltd. May 2012
6. Thankyou.
Find out more at
http://cuttlefishcountry.com
Dan Monceaux
Director, Cuttlefish Country
ph. 0411 039 592
dan@danimations.com.au
Dan Monceaux, Director – Danimations Pty. Ltd. May 2012