[Greens-Media] PARNELL: Govt fiddles as cuttlefish enter death spiral

[Parnell]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Friday 19th October 2012

Govt fiddles as cuttlefish enter death spiral   

The woeful lack of State Government action in the face of the catastrophic drop-off in Cuttlefish numbers in the Upper Spencer Gulf is appalling, says Greens MLC Mark Parnell.

In response to a question asked in Parliament, Fisheries Minister Gail Gago made it clear that the Government would take no further action in the near future to protect the Giant Australian Cuttlefish.

This is despite local diver Tony Bramley, suggesting recently that this season was so bad the largest known aggregation of this species in the world was 'gone'.

"The Whyalla community is facing the permanent loss of this world-renowned natural event - and all the eco-tourism that goes with it," said Greens Parliamentary Leader Mark Parnell.

"Yet the Government has done nothing in response to this year's record low breeding season.
  
"There is so much more the Government can and should be doing while we wait for the results of further research.

"For a start, Fisheries Minister Gail Gago must immediately list the Giant Australian Cuttlefish as a protected species under the State's Fisheries Act.  This will enable as many adult cuttlefish as possible to survive until the next breeding season - a season shaping up as a vital last chance to claw this aggregation back from the brink.

"Then an Emergency Cuttlefish Recovery Plan must be put in place with a genuine commitment from the Government to take all action necessary.

"Longer term, protection under Commonwealth law is also vital.
  
"It would be devastating if this Government's desire to turn the Point Lowly Peninsula into an industrial estate is behind their extraordinary lack of action in the face of an ecological catastrophe," he said.


To read the question and the Minister's answer: http://www.markparnell.org.au/speech.php?speech=1193


For further comment please contact Craig Wilkins on 0434 007 893