Where is the Northern Spencer Gulf?
The Northern Spencer Gulf is an important region that provides
environmental, social and economic benefits to all South Australians.
As the name suggests, it is the northern region of the Spencer
Gulf between Port Pirie, Whyalla and Port Augusta. It contains
large areas of seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, mudflats and
salt marshes that support a wide range of animals and plants.
The region is an important nursery and feeding area for many
fish, molluscs and crustaceans, including commercially and recreationally
important species. Ecotourism is becoming widespread, with a focus
on the spawning of the Giant Cuttlefish (Sepia apama) near
Whyalla.
What concerns are there for the Northern
Spencer Gulf?
The Northern Spencer Gulf region is an important industrial area.
Major industries in the region include the Zinifex lead-zinc smelter
at Port Pirie, OneSteel steelworks at Whyalla and the Santos liquid
hydrocarbon processing facility at Port Bonython. Utilities in
the region include the NRG Flinders power stations at Port Augusta
and SA Water wastewater treatment plants at Port Augusta, Port
Pirie and Whyalla.
Many of these industries discharge heavy metals into the Northern
Spencer Gulf. Studies conducted over a number of decades have
shown high levels of metals in the northern region of the Gulf,
particularly in Germein Bay near Port Pirie. This pollution has
resulted in the South Australian Department of Health prohibiting
the collection of shellfish from the majority of Germein Bay since
July 1996.
What is being done to improve water quality
in the Northern Spencer Gulf?
The Environment Protection Authority is currently working with
the large industries in the Northern Spencer Gulf to reduce pollution
by using environment improvement programs. The EPA is also investigating
load-based licensing to encourage large industries to further
reduce pollution.
Reports
Heavy metal concentrations in razorfish
(Pinna bicolor) and sediments across the northern Spencer Gulf
(1.45MB PDF)
Heavy metal contamination in the
northern Spencer Gulf - a community summary (180KB
PDF)
Links
Regional
Natural Resource Management Boards
This page was last modified 25-09-2007
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