Coast & Estuaries
Page 228
Fisheries
The fisheries of the Gulf St Vincent are an important ecological resource. The
commercial and recreational fishing industries have economic importance to the
State. The over-exploitation (through over-fishing) of these resources can have
a significant impact on the ecology of our marine life and the viability of
industries. In South Australia the management of fisheries is overseen by the
State Government. The Barker Inlet St Kilda Aquatic Reserve and St
Kilda/Chapman Creek Aquatic Reserve form part of this fisheries management
system.
The overall population decline of the Northern Zone rock lobster and snapper in
Gulf St Vincent has been a concern over the last 10 years. However, in
2008/2009 SARDI reported signs of small increases in the Northern Zone rock
lobster since 2005/ 2006, with record numbers identified in the Gulf in
2008/2009 (SARDI, 2010).
Recreational Fishery survey data of State-wide snapper catches in 2007/2008
indicate that recreational catch weights had declined considerably since
2000/2001 and snapper now accounted for only 19.3% of total catch.
Conversely, the catch in Gulf St. Vincent has increased and is consistent with
results from the commercial sector (SARDI, 2010).
There are environmental, social and economic effects of over-exploiting
fisheries. Effective management is required to ensure commercial and
recreational fisheries remain sustainable and that marine biodiversity is not
adversely affected by over-fishing or habitats damaged through inappropriate
fishing practices (DEH, 2006).
Coastal Development
Pressures of urbanisation and developments associated with coastal tourism
significantly impact on the coastal zone. Development in close proximity to the
beachfront damages the natural dune system. The clearing of dune vegetation
and modification to the shore line disrupts the natural coastal environs.
Urban development has resulted in accelerated erosion of parts of the City of
Port Adelaide Enfield foreshore. Undisturbed dunes act as physical barriers that
absorb wave energy and thereby protect inland areas from waves and tides.
Dunes also store large quantities of sand that replenish beaches affected by
wave and storm damage, and play an important ecological role by supporting a
diverse range of flora and fauna (Petherick, 2005).
Coastal development has caused large quantities of sand to be ‘locked up’ or
removed from the beach system. Many of Adelaide’s coastal suburbs were built
on an extensive system of coastal dunes. For example, land was reclaimed
along the Lefevre Peninsula to establish the suburb of North Haven in the
1980s.
