Diving In To Save Adelaides Reefs
On Sunday 10th March, Port Noarlunga will host one of the biggest community marine monitoring activities in the country. The Reef Watch Programs annual Marathon Dive will involve up to 100 divers and snorkellers taking part in a fish count around Port Noarlunga reef.
"There is increasing evidence that South Australias reefs are being degraded through nutrient and chemical pollution from sewage and stormwater discharge, increased turbidity from dredging, over-fishing, introduced species, oil spills, anchor damage, and so on. If we are to successfully manage these impacts and prevent further damage, we have to know what the extent of the problem is. We can only find that out by monitoring the reefs on a regular basis" said Reef Watch co-ordinator, Chris Ball
The Reef Watch Community Monitoring Program, run by the Conservation Council of SA, trains and supports divers and snorkellers to monitor fish, invertebrate and algae distribution on local reefs. The data collected is made available to Government and research organisations, as well as the broader community.
The Marathon Dive commences at 7.30am and will go throughout the day. It will be based on the lawns in front of the car park at Port Noarlunga. As the official launch date of this years Seaweek, several other marine conservation groups will be on hand during the day to provide information on their activities. At 2.30pm the Dragon Search program will launch its new brochure "Diving with Seadragons".
"The support we have received from the dive community, including clubs, shops, divers and snorkellers, as well as the general community, clearly demonstrates the extent of concern for the future of these vital resources" concluded Mr Ball.
Further Comment:
Chris Ball Reef Watch Co-ordinator 8223 5155(W)
0408 089491
Dr Sue Murray-Jones Reef Watch Chairperson 8204 1894(W)
Alex Gaut Seaweek Co-ordinator 0418 921849
Jeremy Gramp Dragon Search Project Officer 8223 5155(W)
Tony Flaherty Dragon Search Co-ordinator 0429 678869
