Antinuclear

Call for moratorium on industrial development at Point Lowly, to save Giant Cuttlefish from extinction

CUTTLEFISH numbers at a key breeding ground in Spencer Gulf have plummeted, the Greens say.http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/cuttle-fish-numbers-plummet-at-point-lowy-say-australian-greens/story-e6frea83-1226389582466 Greens state MP Mark Parnell said local divers at the Point Lowly site
have reported a huge drop in numbers during the current breeding season.

“This annual marine breeding spectacle is of worldwide significance, not to mention how important it is for the local tourism industry,” Mr Parnell said in a statement on Friday. He said the state government must conduct an immediate investigation
to determine the cause of the slump in numbers. “First step is commissioning some urgent research by marine scientists
to find out exactly what is going on,” he said.

“Next is a moratorium on all industrial development at Point Lowly until the cause of the decline is discovered.” Mr Parnell said the annual breeding of the giant Australian cuttlefish at Point Lowly is the world’s only known mass cuttlefish spawning
event. “The permanent loss of this annual breeding event would be devastating,” he said.

June 9, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment, South Australia | South Australia