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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2008-02-27 Daily Xml
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MARINE HABI

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:19): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Environment and Conservation a question about marine habitats.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: As you know, Mr President, the waters off South Australia's coast are some of the most vibrant in the world and are home to a huge diversity of sea life. Given the importance of our marine environment to the state's economy, environmental health and biodiversity, understanding these habitats is very important. Will the minister inform the council on recent efforts to better understand our coastal environments?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health) (15:20): I thank the member for his question and his ongoing interest in these very important policy areas, particularly those that involve fish.

I am pleased to report that on Sunday scientists from the Department of Environment and Heritage departed on a week-long voyage to map the sea floor off the Southern Yorke Peninsula. In November last year, this government announced the launch of a 7.5-metre research vehicle. It was a former charter craft that had been purchased and modified to allow DEH scientists to undertake scientific field assessments in the state's waters. As I reported previously, the boat was named the TK Arnott in honour of the late maritime archaeologist, Terry Arnott, who died unexpectedly in January.

This boat can carry teams of up to six people for biodiversity surveys and habitat mapping research. I am pleased to report that it has been put to extensive use and is now part of an intensive research project off Yorke Peninsula being conducted by DEH in partnership with the Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Management Board.

Two teams, basing themselves at Point Turton and Marion Bay, aim to map about 56 square kilometres of the sea floor off the foot of Yorke Peninsula during this study. As members are aware, these waters are important breeding grounds for sea life as well as feeding areas for larger maritime animals. A better understanding of the area gives us the knowledge to manage the environment more effectively. The team uses underwater video and acoustic sounding, and it is able to gather more detailed information on the ocean floor than ever before.

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