Posts By: Dan Monceaux
June 19, 2019
Nudibranchs and other sea slugs of the Port River, South Australia
The Marine Life Society of SA was recently asked which species of sea slugs (which include nudibranchs) are found in the Port (Adelaide) River. We’ve only just started exploring the river underwater, so the list below is very much a work in progress. Prior to 2017, as far as we are aware, the river was largely unexplored (by divers at... Read morePosted in Nudibranchs, Pollution, Stormwater | By Dan Monceaux
June 18, 2019
What to do with old fishing gear found while snorkeling or diving?
Divers and snorkelers often come across discarded or entangled fishing gear underwater. Unsurprisingly, the problem is most pronounced around rocky points or jetty structures where people regularly fish. Responsible divers do the right thing, and where practical, cut loose and bring ashore any gear they encounter… though one must be careful not to pierce one’s neoprene gloves, wetsuits (or worse:... Read morePosted in Conservation, Education, Equipment, Pollution | By Dan Monceaux
October 16, 2018
The Port River – over 100 marine and coastal species and counting
I was first inspired to pay more attention to this often overlooked ecosystem by the discovery of the upside-down jellyfish, Cassiopea sp. there in 2016 by MLSSA president and area resident, Steve Reynolds. My personal explorations soon followed, beginning at Garden Island. There, a snorkeller can easily step into the water and explore several contrasting habitats within tens of metres:... Read morePosted in Art & Culture, Citizen Science, Crustaceans, Mangroves, Marine invertebrates, Pollution, Underwater Photography | By Dan Monceaux
August 18, 2018
South Australian marine biodiversity explodes onto iNaturalist.org
Marine Life Society of South Australia members need no reminding of the wonderful diversity of species present in our state and commonwealth waters. But how widely known is this out in the wider community? Up until the late 2000s, I would argue that local familiarity with marine ecology was severely limited. Those practising in specialised niches of scuba diving, marine... Read morePosted in Citizen Science, Marine invertebrates, Nudibranchs, Species lists | By Dan Monceaux
November 16, 2017
Great, scalloped or smooth? How to identify a hammerhead shark
As a South Australian snorkeler, typically drawn to shallow, inshore waters, I haven’t had first-hand contact with hammerhead sharks. As a child I found them fascinating; their distinctive T-shaped heads an apparent freak of evolution. In 2014 my interest in hammerhead sharks was renewed. That year, Western Australia introduced a shark culling policy in response to a number of human... Read morePosted in Sharks & Rays | By Dan Monceaux
September 25, 2017
Long-nosed fur seals hauling out at the Fort Glanville breakwater
I had a pleasant surprise on Friday afternoon, when I was treated to an intimate encounter with South Australia’s most notorious pinniped. I’m talking about Arctocephalus forsteri, the long-nosed fur seal; loved by many and detested by some. Previously known as the New Zealand fur seal, its common name caused some confusion in the community, as people falsely assumed that the... Read morePosted in Conservation, Dive Reports, Pinnipeds | By Dan Monceaux
August 25, 2017
List of shore dive locations within 2 hours drive from Adelaide
I’ve always been flummoxed by the trend whereby divers who live in Adelaide continually revisit a handful of the state’s innumerable shore diving locations. While the popularity of Rapid Bay jetty, the rocky reefs of Second Valley, the soft coral encrusted columns of the Port Hughes jetty and the built and natural habitats of Port Noarlunga is not undeserved, I’ve... Read morePosted in Coastal activities, Jetties | 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... Read morePosted 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... Read morePosted 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... Read morePosted in Conservation, Marine Protected Areas | By Dan Monceaux