The Conservation Council of SA welcomes more time for discussion before the release of the Marine Park Draft Management Plans.

Tim Kelly, Conservation Council CE said, "Having sanctuary zones in the sea is a big change for many people, and all parties must feel they have been heard and had input into this process. A fresh start will enable discussions to take place in a more constructive environment.

"While our core objective is to get good marine conservation outcomes for the state, there is plenty of potential for common ground across all stakeholder groups, and the Conservation Council of SA welcomes the opportunity to engage with all parties in this new phase."

Marine parks are a critical investment in the future of our state. They will protect our marine resources and will provide an enormous boost to our ecotourism opportunities.

"Marine scientists are warning us that we do need to act to preserve our underwater environments for the future. Marine resources are not limitless, and if we want to enjoy complete marine ecosystems in the future we must give our iconic areas some  protection and breathing space", said Mr Kelly.

"Most people intuitively understand and support the concept of no-take marine sanctuaries and the benefits they provide. Biodiversity is boosted beyond the sanctuary zones, with bigger fish, more fish and more species variety.  It's no accident that angling competitions are often held adjacent to marine sanctuaries.

"If we all work together, there is a tremendous opportunity for the state. "The input of all stakeholders will help to make sure the real and lasting benefits will far outweigh the cost."

 

Release Ends

 

For further information on the Blueprint for a Sustainable Future go to:

http://www.conservationsa.org.au/blueprint.html

For additional media information or to arrange an interview please contact Noriko Wynn, Policy and Communications Officer on 0411 028 930

 

 

 

Conservation groups today welcomed the release of a compelling new study of Australia's ocean resources. The report finds that establishing a network of marine sanctuaries would help to secure and boost the economic, environmental and social benefits that Australians receive.

Released today by the Centre for Policy Development (CDP), the report: "Stocking Up: Securing Our Marine Economy" identified that Australia's marine life, fish stocks and ecosystems are worth $69 billion per year to the national economy.

However, CPD's analysis found that official accounts currently recognise only $44 billion in value and overlook $25 billion per year in critical 'ecosystem services', which include carbon storage, seafood, recreation and tourism.

CPD's study also focused on Australia's South West waters, revealing that the region's ecosystem services currently contribute at least $2.9 billion per year and would increase if measures to safeguard the region improved. Later this year, the federal government is due to make a decision on establishing new marine sanctuaries in the South West.

The Conservation Council of SA has grave concerns regarding the environmental impacts of a surfing competition and music festival on Kangaroo Island's ecosystems. Scheduled to take place in November, the Kangaroo Island Surf Pro and Surf Music Festival will see potentially 5000 people descend on Vivonne Bay on the south coast of Kangaroo Island over a period of ten days.

The Conservation Council of SA is calling for a comprehensive ecological survey of the area and an environmental impact assessment before this event takes place. The area is part of a wildlife corridor providing an important link for animals to move along the south coast of Kangaroo Island as well as providing breeding habitat for several vulnerable species.

"The number of people attending this event plus all the noise, waste and traffic will have an impact on this pristine coastline," said Chief Executive, Tim Kelly. "We don't even know what is the safe number of people to have camping and moving in the area to accurately say that there will be no lasting environmental damage."

"With over 5000 people expected to attend, the existing tracks are insufficient to allow this many people to move between the campsites and the beach. Vegetation clearance to widen tracks and installing hard steps is not consistent with protecting Kangaroo Island's natural assets"

The Hooded Plover, a shore bird listed as a vulnerable species in South Australia, nests in the dunes around Vivonne Bay, laying its eggs directly on the sand. The surfing festival is scheduled to run during the breeding season of this bird, placing a species already highly prone to breeding failure in the midst of competition and festival attendees.

At risk are six pairs of Hooded Plovers known to nest on the beach and foredunes of Vivonne Bay. The DEH Hooded Plover Recovery Plan (2006) documents that when these birds are disturbed they leave the nest, exposing eggs and chicks to predators such as seagulls. There is a real possibility that this event to be held over ten days may result in 100% mortality for hooded plover eggs and chicks in the area.

If this event does proceed, before any repeat competition, there should be a full post assessment of the impacts on biodiversity and the breeding success of the hooded plovers and nearby osprey so that these species do not become lost from the area at Vivonne bay.

To date the Surfing South Australia FAQs do not caution visitors against bringing their dogs to this event.

"This is not the right sort of tourism for Kangaroo Island. It will harm the natural assets and biodiversity as well as risking Kangaroo Island's reputation as one of the world's great environmental tourist attractions, " Mr Kelly concluded.

 

Release Ends

For further information on the Blueprint for a Sustainable Future go to:http://www.conservationsa.org.au/blueprint.html

For additional media information or to arrange an interview please contact Noriko Wynn, Policy and Communications Officer on 0411 028 930

The Conservation Council of South Australia is calling for the immediate end to the practice of gillnetting in Australian sea lion foraging grounds. This iconic species and major tourist attraction is at risk of extinction from shark fishery practices in South Australia.

"It is estimated around 370 sea lions* are killed by the Commonwealth-managed gillnet fishery every breeding season as bycatch," Conservation Council of SA spokesperson Kathryn Warhurst said today.

"The shark fishery has been on notice since 2006 regarding sea lion mortalities from this unsustainable and outdated practice. The Australian Fishing Management Authority's (AFMA) failure to adequately address this in their new management plan is posing a serious threat to the unique sea lion species," said Ms Warhurst.A 2010 report by SARDI (South Australian Research and Development Institute) states that bycatch of female Australian Sea Lions must be reduced to ‘zero or close to zero' to adequately protect the species over its entire habitat. The report found that additional losses of 1-2 female sea lions per year could result in up to 40% of colonies becoming extinct.

The new AFMA sea lion management plan is only likely to reduce bycatch by 30%.

South Australia is home to 85% of the total Australian sea lion population, thought to only be around 10,000 animals. The Australian sea lion is a species unique to Australia and is classified as ‘threatened' by the Australian Government.

In South Australia they are a tourism icon, and are the basis of a regional ecotourism industry worth over $100 million every year.

 

*Goldsworthy, S.D., Page, B., Shaughnessy, P.D. and Linnane, A. (2010). Mitigating Seal Interactions in the SRLF and the Gillnet Sector SESSF in South Australia. Report to the Fisheries Research and Development Institute. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI publication No. F2009/000613-1. SARDI Report Series No. 405

Caring for our Country (CfOC) is a Federal Government inititative which funds projects across the country to achieve national targets. Funding supports natural resource management (NRM) groups, local, state and territory governments, Indigenous groups, industry bodies, land managers, farmers, Landcare groups and communites. This Program is currently under review in these key areas: the effectiveness of the program, achievements to date and options for NRM delivery in the future.This is our response to the discussion paper 'The Review of Caring for our Country - Australia's natural resource management investment initiative'. Further information

Misleading claims about proposed new marine parks has led to unnecessary alarm in coastal communities, a national alliance of conservation groups said today.

The Save Our Marine Life alliance of 11 conservation groups said there is already overwhelming evidence of the benefits of marine parks in Australia and overseas in protecting fish and the marine environment.

The Save Our Marine Life alliance called on opponents to marine parks to also examine the evidence of the economic benefits of marine parks, such as the lucrative tourism industry the Great Barrier Reef Marine Parks has created.

Australia's biggest mountain range is underwater; deep-sea "restaurants" exist where the world's largest animal feeds; and our own "Grand Canyon" is buried beneath the waves near Perth.

A new report released this week, Atlantis Found: Underwater Icons of Australia's Unique South West (10MB pdf), uncovers 10 hotspots for unique marine life off Australia's largely unknown South West coast, stretching from Geraldton to Kangaroo Island.

The conservation sector has welcomed Environment Minister Jay Weatherill’s declaration of the outer boundaries of South Australia’s marine park network.

“The Minister Weatherill should be congratulated for providing leadership and putting the future of South Australia’s coasts and oceans ahead of opposition from vested interests” said Julie Pettett, CEO of CCSA.

“Well-designed marine parks with adequate sanctuary zones help replenish fish stocks and provide a big boost to the tourism sector and regional ecomomies” said Ms Pettett.

The conservation sector is calling for the creation of large marine park sanctuary zones to ensure the longterm survival of South Australia’s unique, but currently unprotected marine life.

For the full media release, click here (298.88 KB).

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MEDIA RELEASE 27TH FEBRUARY 2009

The Conservation Council of South Australia, South Australias peak environmental body with over 55 member groups, is proud to be a part of Clean Up Australia Day this Sunday March 1st.

CCSAs award winning Reef Watch program, now in its 11th year, is again donning the rubber and heading to sea to see what they can see (and clean it up!)

Over one hundred divers will be joining in to make this years clean up the biggest yet! Participants will be snorkelling or SCUBA diving, helping pick up rubbish and monitoring the marine environment for feral marine species.

The Conservation Council of SA (CCSA), the peak conservation body for SA, is holding its Summit on Coast & Marine in a Changing Climate tomorrow Dec. 4th.

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The Conservation Council of South Australia (CCSA) the peak conservation body for SA, today appeared before a federal inquiry into the impacts of climate change on coastal communities and called for a moratorium on coastal development in areas less than one metre above sea level.The testimony accompanied the Councils submission, which focused on the need for long-range planning to recognise the threats climate change and rising sea levels would pose to large parts of the Australian coastline.With over 80% of the Australian population living near the coast, inundation of vital infrastructure, marinas and housing poses serious risks said CCSA CEO Julie Pettett.

Recreational divers, snorkellers and marine enthusiasts from all walks of life, will assemble at Noarlunga Reef this Sunday morning, April 6th, to take part in the largest single marine monitoring event in Australia  the Reef Watch Marathon Dive.

Reef Watch, a program run by the Conservation Council of South Australia (CCSA), has been conducting similar events for the last 10 years. As an annual event on the Reef Watch calendar, the Reef Watch Marathon Dive is designed to promote community awareness for the marine environment and to gather up-to-date information on the health of the Noarlunga Aquatic Reserve.

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As part of Cleanup Australia Day, local dive clubs will be working to clean up the undersea environment across South Australia.

This year, divers will strategically target a range of popular sites, both to clean them up and to check for potential problems. We are asking divers to focus their efforts around areas where rubbish is most likely to accumulate said Dr David Turner, from the Conservation Councils Reef Watch program. of rubbish around them, so logically that is where divers can be most effective. The nature of these structures means they are also likely to harbour exotic species, so while & divers are there, they will also be recording any evidence of problematic organisms using Reef Watchs Feral or In Peril monitoring protocol.

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8 March 2005 Marine Protected Area Short on Protection Today the South Australian Government announced its first marine park under the states new system of marine protected areas. The Conservation Council of SA welcomes the release of the draft zoning plan for the Encounter Marine Park by the Minister for Environment and Conservation, John Hill, but is concerned that the area of high protection is inadequate. The southern waters of Australia are referred to as the unique south, as up to 90% of the species occur nowhere else in the world. Whilst we recognise the Governments attempt to provide adequate protection, very little of this park is properly protected said Catherine Way, Campaign Coordinator of CCSA. It is internationally recognised that a minimum of 30% of the marine environment should be protected to ensure a healthy marine environment for future generations. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in Queensland is fully protected in 33% of its area. Ningaloo Reef Marine Park in WA has 34% of its area fully protected. Only 13% of the Encounter Marine Park is fully protected, which represents a mere 2.5% of the Gulf St. Vincent marine environment.

MEDIA RELEASE

13 December 2004

Marine Park Process Drowning

Parliamentary Inquiry to hear evidence of chronic delays

Three of South Australia s key conservation groups will today present evidence to a parliamentary inquiry calling for the parliament to act quickly to create a system of Marine National Parks.

The Conservation Council of SA, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and The Wilderness Society will tell the parliaments Environment, Resources and Development Committee that South Australia is lagging behind other states and the targets set for the roll out of marine protected areas are unsatisfactory.

The environment groups criticism comes just two weeks after Minister Hill launched the governments vision for marine protected areas.

Mr Hill has the legislative ability to proclaim all nineteen promised Marine Protected Areas immediately under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, but instead the Government has stalled the process in order to develop new legislation prior to the MPA roll out said Catherine Way , Campaign Coordinator of CCSA.

As our ecosystems in the oceans continue to be degraded and with many species under threat, there is a need to have protection put in place as a matter of urgency.

Campaigner for The Wilderness Society, Dr Greg Ogle, said

There appears to have been no movement on 8 marine wilderness areas which were nominated for protection in 1998, and the timetable for the roll out of marine protected areas generally has been put back several times in the last decade. All that is needed is a modest allocation of resources and the political will to get it moving.

Michelle Grady from WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, said

Marine parks will be a key protection measure for SAs marine icons, including endangered species like the mighty Blue Whale, the awesome Great White Shark, and the states marine emblem, the Leafy Sea Dragon. We need protection now for these species and the many other species in our southern seas of which 85% are found nowhere else in the world. This is a sobering international responsibility

The groups appear before the ERD Committee at 10am in the Old Parliament House.

For further information, contact

Greg Ogle (TWS) 0409 096 519

Michelle Grady (WDCS) 0423 760 695

Catherine Way (CCSA) 0411 028 930

MEDIA RELEASE

November 28th

Declare Marine Protected Areas NOW!

The Conservation Council of SA (CCSA) today welcomes the release of the blueprint for South Australian Representative System of Marine Protected Areas (SARSMPA) but calls for action under existing legislation.

The Minister for Environment and Heritage the Hon John Hill can immediately proclaim all nineteen proposed marine protected areas under the National Parks and Wildlife Act (1972), said Catherine Way , CCSA, Campaign Coordinator

It is not desirable to delay the proposed marine protected areas while developing new legislation prior to their roll out.

Protection should be implemented now and the areas can then be rolled into the new legislation.

With Australia facing unprecedented species loss both on land and in the oceans and with the implications of climate change we need to act now.

CCSA however highlights the Governments commitment to community nomination of marine reserves outside of the SARSMPA objectives, and the commitment to permanent high protection sanctuary zones.

These are two areas that conservation groups have been lobbying for, for many years, and a welcome inclusion to the blueprint. Ms Way stated.

The State Government announced the development of the SARSMPA in its Marine and Estuarine Strategy in 1999 and t he Australian Government is currently rolling out a national representative system of marine protected areas (NRSMPA) in Commonwealth waters. International scientific research supports developing marine reserves as the most effective way of arresting the decline of marine species and habitats, they provide safe havens that allow habitat regeneration, and provide our oceans with new generations of fish.

International calls are being made to all countries to accelerate MPA processes and arrest the alarming world-wide decline in fish and marine habitats, occurring in all oceans and climatic zones.

Contact: Simon Divecha 0417 879 439

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.info@reefwatch.asn.au.

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.

The Conservation Council of South Australia today warned that metropolitan and regional coastal communities were in danger of missing out on funding for coastal and marine conservation activities under the States new regional Natural Resource Management arrangements.

In response to this danger the Conservation Council is urging all people with an interest in coastal and marine conservation to attend a workshop being held at the Conservation Centre at 120 Wakefield St, Adelaide at 7.30 on Tuesday 12th November.

It is essential that people interested in activities such as dune revegetation, community coastal and marine monitoring, community education, marine planning or coastal management, get involved now said the Councils Coastal Conservation Co-ordinator, Chris Ball. This really is a case of speak now or forever hold your peace

The workshop will feature talks on regional coastal and marine issues and a discussion of how to best ensure that these issues are adequately addressed under the Mount Lofty Ranges and Greater Adelaide Natural Resource Management (NRM) Plan. The draft NRM Plan, which is out for public comment until 22 November, will guide regional conservation actions over coming years. The majority of future Natural Heritage Trust funding in this region will be provided in accordance with the regional Plan

At present throughout the State regional natural resource management (NRM) plans are being prepared. The final versions of these plans will dictate the conservation priorities for each region over the next 3 to 5 years.

Workshops have already been held at Streaky Bay, Port Lincoln, Whyalla, Port Pirie and Port Noarlunga. Workshops will also be held at Millicent, Minlaton, Victor Harbor and Kingscote over the next four weeks.

More information is available form the Chris Ball at the Conservation Council on 8223 5155 or at coastal@ccsa.asn.au

Media Comment

Chris Ball, Coastal Conservation Co-ordinator

Ph: 8223 5155 or 0408 089491

Marine Park gate flaps in the wind whilst the aquaculture horse bolts through

On 1 July this year, the Aquaculture Act came into operation. After many years of campaigning for reform of aquaculture regulation and management, 3 Parliamentary Inquiries, the states longest environment court case against 6 tuna farms off the Lower Eyre Peninsula (won by CCSA and the EDO), and a number of criminal prosecutions under the Dev. Act, legislative reform has occurred. The Act is not the panacea wed hoped for, but it does provide for an advance on the EPAs oversight of proposed aquaculture operations.

1 step forward... 2 steps back

Unfortunately, recent events have shown that even under Labor, we still need to watch PIRSA and Planning SA like a hawk when it comes to aquaculture regulation. The direction of aquaculture planning is in direct conflict with native wildlife including sea lion colonies - its akin to putting a sheep farm in a dingo reserve. Despite the rhetoric of more accountable aquaculture laws, the recent decision (12 Sept 02) to permanently end community rights of Appeal of aquaculture operations off the Lower Eyre Peninsula (via the Interim/instant operation of a Plan Amendment Report amending the Development Plan for that area, making aquaculture Category 1 complying) was a retrograde and unprecedented step undertaken by stealth (we were not aware until after it was gazetted, despite our membership of the States statutory Aquaculture Advisory Committee). This is the first time any area of the sea in this State has been zoned under the Development Act for industrial purposes, and marks an end to the only effective opportunity for community scrutiny of the tuna feedlot industry.

Help us put aquaculture in its place

We need you to write a quick but firm submission written to the Development Policy Advisory Committee (DPAC) on the Lower Eyre Peinsula Aquaculture PAR (as mentioned above) by 12 November. Tell DPAC that industrial zoning of the sea is not on, and say you want to be heard at that the Adelaide or Pt Lincoln hearings. Email your submission to: hensgen.justin@saugov.sa.gov.au. Go to www.planning.sa.gov.au to see the PAR. For more pointers on what to say in the submission go to the CCSA website at: www.ccsa.asn.au or phone 8223 5155 (general@ccsa.asn.au). To see the Aquaculture policies out for comment, go to: www.pir.sa.gov.au/aquaculture. There is a new groundswell of concerned conservationists and experts getting active on ensuring a strong community voice on aquaculture and marine management. To get involved with them, contact Chris Ball, Australian Marine Conservation Society (SA) Branch President, on 8223 5155 or at: box60@ozemail.com.au . Now is the time to make sure aquaculture is put in the right place, in the right way, not where it shouldnt be, without independent scrutiny.

Glacial intertia of marine conservation

For the past 10 years, aquaculture has advanced at great speed  an important opportunity for rural communities. However, despite successive Premiers and Environment Ministers professing the intention to get a System of Marine Parks in place across SA waters, and better integration of marine management so that development decisions on aquaculture, fishing and mining are not made at the expense of our precious marine ecosystems, we are still no further advanced in real terms. SA has only 1 Marine Park (at the Great Australian Bight) and the total area of SA waters protected in any form of MPA is a paltry 3.5% (most of which is multiple use). The international baseline for a minimum level of areas given high protection is moving to 30% of each marine bioregion. Legislative Review and/or advancement of the Fisheries Act and the Aquaculture Act are occurring, but the Coast Protection Acts long overdue Review and evolution into a desperately needed Marine and Coastal Management Act is still on the slow burner somewhere in DEH. The call for implementation of the Marine and Estuarine Strategy of 1998 continues to fall on deaf ears and the status of the Office of Coast and Marine in DEH has been downgraded to a branch. And it is likely that the Fisheries Act review will remove dedicated legislation for the establishment of marine parks and fisheries habitat protection. This will create a legislative vacuum for Marine Parks and Marine Planning measures.

The commitment to see a System of MPAs (including areas of high protection) and Marine Plans in place in SA within 5 years, has suffered delay after delay, and is being further revised to 7 years and beyond due to the lack of resources to implement it. In 7 years DEH will be breathing the dust of the exclusive rights being given to aquaculture operations now the only areas left to marine parks will be those not worth having. This toe in the water policy is simply not adequate and does not match Labors election commitment on marine issues. Recent initiatives such as development of the Pt Adelaide Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, the commencement of the process of investigating the notion of an MPA at Encounter Bay, and a number of positive but largely ad hoc and minor marine conservation announcements since do not add up to the vigorous program of marine conservation catchup needed. And in the meantime, PIRSA are proposing to move tuna farms into close proximity of the Sir Joseph Banks Group of Islands  a Conservation Park!

It seems that wed have to agree with a well known tuna farmer who recently said to the media that Labor have done far more for aquaculture than the previous Liberal Government. Advancing aquaculture as a key industry for this state is important, but not at the cost of basic community rights, and certainly not at the cost of even the most basic marine conservation measures.

Tell the decision makers that our marine conservation laws are not strong enough, decision making on marine issues is not integrated or accountable, and that there must be no further delays in declaring a System of Marine Parks for SA. Write to the following c/- Parliament House, North Tce, Adelaide 5000.

The Hon Mike Rann, Premier

The Hon John Hill, Minister for Environment and Conservation

The Hon Jay Weatherill, Minister for Urban Development & Planning

The Hon Paul Holloway, Minister for Primary Industries

The Hon Iain Evans, Shadow Minister for Environment

The Hon Mike Ellliott MLC, Leader of the Australian Democrats

The Hon Bob Such, Deputy Speaker House of Assembly

The Hon Andrew Evans, MLC

The Hon Nick Xenophon, MLC

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