The Conservation Council of SAs Reef Watch Community Monitoring Program is holding a workshop to launch its exciting new "Feral and in Peril" program. This program will enable the fast growing diving and snorkelling community to help address two key marine conservation issues: invasion by introduced marine species, and the largely unknown status of a number of potentially threatened marine species. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
The workshop will be hosted by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) Aquatic Sciences at 2 Hamra Ave, West Beach from 1.30pm to 4.30pm on Saturday, 30 November.
The "Feral and in Peril" program is funded by the Threatened Species Network and Fisheries Action Program of the National Heritage Trust. Along with SARDI, the program has the support of a number of government and university departments, including Primary Industries and Resources SA, the Department for Environment and Heritage (Coast and Marine Branch), the South Australian Museum, and the three South Australian Universities.
The workshop will feature some of the States top marine scientists and managers as presenters. These include Professor Anthony Cheshire (SARDI/Adelaide University), Dr Scoresby Shepherd (SARDI), and Thierry Laperousaz (Museum)
Feral
In Peril
Participants will be issued with the "Feral and In Peril" kit, which consists of illustrated, waterproof slates and an information booklet. The workshop will familiarise divers with the kit and increase their ability and confidence to identify the marine species of concern, as well as providing interesting insight and information about the species involved and associated research and management in South Australia.
To register for the workshop or obtain further information about it or Reef Watch activities generally, people should contact James Brook at the Conservation Council on 8223 5155 or at
: Impacts such as coastal development, industrial pollution, destructive fishing methods and the introduction of pest species are threats to a number of native marine species. Few marine species are currently fully protected in South Australia (the least of any of the states), mainly due to a lack of information about their status. The "Feral and In Peril" project aims to address this dearth of information by collecting and collating data on the abundance and distribution of a number of temperate marine species in SA that have been identified as being of conservation concern. : The recent and aggressive infestation of Caulerpa taxifolia in West Lakes and the upper reaches of the Port River shows the potential that introduced species have to harm our marine environment. There could be worse to come, with other prolific and easily transported introduced species, such as Japanese Kelp, already entrenched in Tasmania and Victoria. An early warning system, provided by community divers and snorkellers, will be vital to the timely management of any outbreaks occurring in South Australia.