Posts 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
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... Read morePosted 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... Read morePosted 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... Read morePosted 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... Read morePosted in Marine invertebrates, Marine Protected Areas, Molluscs, Pollution | By Dan Monceaux