Posts By: Dan Monceaux
November 11, 2015
Dan Monceaux’s submission in response to Oceanic Victor’s EPBC Act referral
Oceanic Victor Pty Ltd/Tourism and Recreation/waters off Encounter Bay, 600m SE Victor Harbour/South Australia/Oceanic Victor Viewing Platform Proposal, SA Referral: 2015/7592 I would like to begin my personal submission by pointing out that this proposal by Oceanic Victor is the first time that any sea-cage aquaculture related operation in South Australia has ever been referred to the EPBC Act. Let me firstly commend the proponents for acknowledging the importance of EPBC referral, given the variety of sensitive receptors present in…
Posted in Aquaculture, Pinnipeds, Shorebirds, Submissions to Government, Whales & Dolphins | By Dan Monceaux
October 21, 2015
Dan Monceaux’s submission to the Development Assessment Commission regarding Oceanic Victor’s marine aquarium proposal
To the Secretary, members of the Development Assessment Commission and any interested parties, Please accept my personal submission in response to development number 010/V030/15 – a proposal for the development of an “in sea marine aquarium in Encounter Bay” made by Oceanic Victor Pty Ltd. I am providing this submission in two parts. The first is a response to newly available information contained in the development application public notice. The second part of my submission is a copy of a…
Posted in Marine aquaria, Pollution, Submissions to Government | By Dan Monceaux
October 6, 2015
How South Australian senators in Canberra have voted on increasing marine conservation
The below table, compiled in October 2015 shows how South Australian senators have voted in Canberra on the topic of increasing marine conservation. Matters voted upon pertaining to South Australia include super-trawlers, threatened species protection, seismic testing for oil and gas off Kangaroo Island, Commonwealth marine parks and a moratorium on the issuing of oil and gas leases. Many of the remaining national matters related to the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland. The analysis and the methodology behind these results is explained in detail at…
Posted in Conservation, Marine Protected Areas | By Dan Monceaux
March 19, 2015
Cuttlefish of South Australia
Before I embarked on the production of the documentary film Cuttlefish Country, I had little appreciation of the diversity of cuttlefish species which are found in South Australian waters. When I discuss cuttlebones with friends or strangers, I’m usually met with surprise at the revelation that cuttlebones found in beachwash along the South Australian coast represent not one, not two but several species of cuttlefish. It is also unfortunate that there is no single resource available whereby South Australian naturalists or beach combers…
Posted in Cephalopods, Marine invertebrates | By Dan Monceaux
February 14, 2015
Invasive marine species in South Australia
Since first learning about marine biosecurity and the translocation of marine species from one region’s waters to another via commercial shipping and recreational boating, I’ve come to recognise a few of our locally found invasive species. This summer I’ve added another invasive species to the list of alien organisms I’ve found while rock-pooling, beach walking or snorkeling along SA’s coast. The most conspicuous invasive to be found in SA (in my experience) is the European fan worm. Not one to keep a…
Posted in Invasive species, Species lists | By Dan Monceaux
February 7, 2015
Confounded by flounder in South Australian waters
During a walk through the shallows at Glenelg North beach after 9.30 pm last night, in knee-deep water, Emma and I were delighted to spot a numbers of small (likely juvenile) flounder. The animals were each less than 10 cm in length and sported fine, uniform sandy patterns which allowed them to practically disappear on pale, sandy bottom. When startled by our lights or movement, the animals escaped swiftly, hugging the contours of the sandy ‘dunes’. On settling, they would sometimes shuffle into the…
Posted in Bony fishes, Citizen Science, Species lists | By Dan Monceaux
January 4, 2015
Black Cowry (Zoila friendii thersites)
Yesterday, while snorkeling at the Port Noarlunga reef in near perfect conditions I was fortunate enough to encounter a South Australian endemic gastropod mollusk, the Black Cowry (Zoila friendii thersites). The animal I sighted was perched quite conspicuously on a large yellow/orange sponge in about three metres of water. I later discovered that a photograph taken by Greg Adams of one in the midst of laying eggs (also taken at Port Noarlunga) was published in October 2014 by ABC news. I was first made…
Posted in Marine invertebrates, Marine Protected Areas, Molluscs, Pollution | By Dan Monceaux
December 4, 2014
Seen a shark in SA waters? Report it for safety and science
When I discuss sharks with divers or snorkellers, they tend to agree that shark sightings of any species are a rarity in SA- at least off metropolitan beaches and at popular dive sites. In something of an anomaly, a single Great White Shark (whether it was the same individual on both occasions is unknown) was encountered by divers twice this year at The Dredge. The wreck is located approximately 6 kilometres offshore in about 20 metres of water. On both…
Posted in Citizen Science, Sharks & Rays | By Dan Monceaux
November 30, 2014
Nocturnal observations around Glenelg marina and jetty
While this weekend’s scorching hot temperatures kept my wife and I out of the sun for the most part, we couldn’t resist making a late night beach walk down at Glenelg. While the habitats there are highly modified due to breakwater and marina construction, dune removal for coastal development plus stormwater, Patawalonga and treated wastewater inflows, there remains an abundance of life to be observed by anyone with an eye for detail and a nice bright flashlight. Emma and I…
Posted in intertidal zone, Invasive species, Jetties, Marine invertebrates, Pollution, Sharks & Rays, Stormwater | By Dan Monceaux
September 24, 2014
The carbon footprint of dive tourism – are we loving our oceans to death?
It is with mixed feelings that I frequently see people I know raving about their next dose of international ecotourism, be it diving with whales in Tonga or on tropical reefs in any of our Pacific island neighbours’ waters. On the one hand, I respect my peers enthusiasm for diving, for exploring the natural world and for seeking out intimate experiences with the living ocean. On the other, I have grave concerns that the same people may not spare a thought for…
Posted in Climate change, Coral, Crustaceans, Molluscs, Pollution, Stormwater | By Dan Monceaux