Coast issues remain at the fore

On my travels down the Peninsula last week and the week before, it was very alarming to see the Algal Bloom back and hear firsthand the continuing impact on fishers, charter operators and general retail and tourism.

Water testing appears to have been ad hoc and the advice from government has not always matched what is actually occurring on the ground, resulting in rising concern and visitor and local confusion.

I find it impossible to believe that there isn’t some type of solution out there given some parts of the world have been dealing with Algal Blooms for years, and I pray that its prevalence here in our patch -- whether in hot, cold, windy or calm conditions -- does not mean this natural disaster is with us for perpetuity.

Another issue locals (especially at Stansbury, Port Vincent, Port Broughton) are well versed in is the abundance of cormorants – ironically classified as a protected species. They are causing tremendous damage to the shoreline and vegetation and, given the mind-boggling amount of fish these birds daily consume, must also be impacting already declined fish stocks.

Back in 2021 I advocated to no avail for cormorants to be taken off of the protected species, and whilst at the time there was increased cull permits offered, I see it as time to try again for a proper species population management plan: for the good of fish stock recovery, the cormorant population which are likely starving, and for our coastal communities as a whole.

In some good news to help offset the impact of the Algal Bloom, preparations are underway for a large-scale (estimated 16 hectares and valued at $10 million) limestone shellfish reef north of Stansbury – reportedly in addition to 25 community-built oyster reefs being rolled out across Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas and Kangaroo Island.

Finally, 34 local sport and rec clubs were announced last week as successful in the latest Active Club Program round; congratulations to all dedicated club members involved in securing this local investment in programming and equipment.

The full list of recipients (of either $3,000 or $1,500 program and equipment funding) is as follows (alphabetical order): 

• Brinkworth Yacka Community Sports Club Incorporated
• Broughton Mundoora Netball Club Incorporated
• Bute Bowling Club Incorporated
• Bute Cricket Club Incorporated
• Bute Football Club Incorporated
• Bute Golf Club Incorporated
• Copper Coast Battle Dragons Dragon Boat Club Incorporated
• Curramulka Community Club Incorporated
• Edithburgh RSL and Bowling Club Incorporated
• Edithburgh Sporting & Community Club Incorporated
• Kadina Bowling Club Incorporated
• Kadina Motocross Club Incorporated
• Kadina Netball Club Incorporated
• Minlaton Bowling Club Incorporated
• Minlaton Golf Club Incorporated
• Moonta Memorial Park Bowling Club Incorporated
• Moonta Tennis Club Incorporated
• Mundoora Bowling Club Incorporated
• Parkrun Australia Ltd - Edithburgh
• Parkrun Australia Ltd - Lochiel
• Parkrun Australia Ltd - Port Broughton
• Port Broughton Bowling Club Incorporated
• Port Broughton Combined Sporting Clubs Incorporated
• Port Hughes Bowling Club Incorporated
• Port Wakefield Bowling Club Incorporated
• Snowtown Bowling Club Incorporated
• Southern Yorke Peninsula Basketball Association Incorporated
• The Balaklava Golf Club Incorporated
• The Port Broughton Golf Club Incorporated
• The Port Victoria Golf Club Incorporated
• The Yorketown Bowling Club Incorporated
• Tickera Community and Recreation Association Incorporated
• Wallaroo Golf Club Incorporated
• Yorketown Golf Club Incorporated