Concerns About the Welfare of Leafy Seadragons at Rapid Bay
by Steve Reynolds
The Scuba Divers Federation of South Australia recently issued a statement because of concerns about the welfare of leafy seadragons at Rapid Bay in light of increased diver activity whilst waiting for new steps to be built at the Port Noarlunga jetty.
The statement read: –
“With the steps at the Noarlunga jetty out of commission, the number of divers and diver training courses using the Rapid Bay jetty has increased. Concerns have been expressed that the leafy seadragons may be disturbed by diver traffic.
We would kindly remind all divers and instructors using Rapid Bay to not disturb the sea grass beds and to refrain from actions such as following seadragons or inadvertently touching them as that would cause them stress.
We recognize that the high number of divers at Rapid Bay may be temporary until the Noarlunga steps are repaired, but in the meantime we hope that every effort will be made to minimize our impact on South Australia’s iconic species.
With thanks for your consideration
Scuba Divers Federation of South Australia”
I was preparing to ascend to the jetty steps at the Rapid Bay jetty recently when I noticed a group of what appeared to be student divers nearby. I then noticed what appeared to be a dive leader pointing out a creature in the seagrass bed near the steps. A few of the ‘student divers’ moved closer to inspect the creature.
I was keen to find out just what they had seen so I swam towards the group. As I moved closer to them, the ‘student divers’ started to swim away from the creature. I could now see that the creature was actually a small leafy seadragon.
I was shocked to see that the ‘student divers’ swam over the top of the seadragon, brushing it aside. I was now able to examine the seadragon at close quarters and take these photos of it: –
These last three photos were the first ones that I took of the little seadragon. They show other divers in the vicinity of the seadragon
It seemed to me that the seadragon was missing many of its leafy appendages, possibly due to rough treatment. Here is a photo of a juvenile (with all appendages intact) that I recently found at Second Valley jetty: –
I can only suggest that the concerns of the Scuba Divers Federation of SA are well-founded. (It is true that I am the Federation’s Secretary, but I was not present at the meeting when the statement expressing concern about the seadragons was drafted.)