Aqua Culture in Victor Harbor

I am sure many of you are aware there is a proposal to put a tuna aqua culture pen within 1km of the beach at Victor Harbor.

It's a tourist venture, smaller than a full scale commercial pen, but the licensee has applied to hold up to 6 tonnes of fish in the pen.

If you have any concerns about the impact of this proposal on the local environment and ocean use, now is the time to voice them. PIRSA has just commenced a four week public consultation period.

Details of the proposal and information on how to make a submission can be found at;

http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/graniteisland

The environmental impact on the surrounding intertidal reefs and Seagrass meadows and local town beach.

Creating a point food source for nuisance predators, ie Seals and sharks. The impact of increased numbers of these predators on
local threatened species and local water users.

Placing an aquaculture venture within the nursing area for southern right whales.

Setting a president for future expansion of aqua culture ventures on the Fleurieu.

Most people think it's a good idea. Except for those who have it in their backyard.

They are actually planning 3-4 tonnes of fish, and have applied for a licence for 6 tonnes of fish. It's a quantity that's enough be a point food source.

Uni of Hawaii have tagged a variety of species of sharks in and around isolated aqua culture sites off Oahu. After 2-3 years of monitoring they concluded that apex predators will visit these sites as part of their seasonal migration. Spending 2-3 weeks in the vicinity with each seasonal pass.
2nd tier predators will take up residence in the immediate vicinity of the cages.

They had a look at this proposal on my behalf and came to this conclusion. White sharks will pass by, loiter, and move on after a period of time (2-3 weeks). Bronzies will start living in the vicinity of the pen. There will definitely be an increased shark presence. Whether or not that leads to an interaction between a large shark and a human can't be know.

I will still sail Kent's too. It's my local. I will also surf and paddle board at the channel, and so will many I am sure. But I definately think it raises the chances of an interaction, just by how much no one can really say.

But it it's not just the shark risk, as I mentioned up the top there are more concerns too.

BTW
Not sure if your college will find many true nature activities in many capital cities, however if they are happy to spend a little time in a car SA has LOADS to offer in that department.