The Sanctuary at Work

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The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Management Plan

The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Act 2005 (the Act) required that the Minister for Environment and Conservation prepare a Management Plan for the Sanctuary. After public consultation the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Management Plan was released in September 2008. Its purpose is to set out the Government of South Australia's plans to achieve the object and objectives of the Act. It broadly charts the direction for government to pursue in partnership with the wide range of stakeholders who use and care about the area, the dolphins and their environment. This is a seven-year plan, and actions will be completed in stages over this period.

Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Management Plan (8 Mb)

Reference Papers

The draft Plan is supported by three Reference Papers containing information about the Sanctuary. The Papers are: Reference Paper 1 (400Kb PDF) - Dolphins, Reference Paper 2 (450Kb PDF) - Habitat, and Reference Paper 3 (400Kb PDF) - Water Quality. These are the subjects of the first three objectives of the Act.

The three papers compile information from local sources, and national and international sources where relevant. The papers may be updated from time to time as new information becomes available.

The Six Objectives

The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Act has a specific object - to protect the dolphins and their habitat.

To support the achievement of such a broad goal, the Act includes six specific objectives.

The following information lists each objective and describes how the management of the Sanctuary will achieve these objectives.

Objective 1 - Protect the dolphins from physical harm

Two Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary rangers now patrol Sanctuary land and water and are conducting community education to let people know the best ways to behave around dolphins.

Dolphins are protected from harassment and physical harm under provisions of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 and the Whale and Dolphin Regulations 2000.

The rangers are also working with other Government agencies with responsibilities in the area to make sure that activities they regulate such as fishing practices, boating activities and industrial discharges do not pose unacceptable risks to the dolphins.

Objective 2 - Maintain, protect and restore key habitat features

The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Act integrates Government operations throughout the Sanctuary to achieve the specific common goal of dolphin protection.

The Government is building on the good work already being done by the various agencies. For example, the EPA has done a study of nutrient discharges in the area (see the draft Port Waterways Water Quality Improvement Plan at http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/pwip.html) and PIRSA - Fisheries is managing fish stocks and pest species. We have accomplished a lot, but there is still more to do.

The presence of the marine pest Caulerpa taxifolia in key areas of the Sanctuary requires especially careful management and relevant agencies are working together to control the spread of this invasive algae. More information about this can be found at: http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/pages/fisheries/environmental/caulerpa_taxifolia.htm:sectID=1983&tempID=1

The Government is also looking at the best ways to preserve and rehabilitate mangroves, sea grass and salt marsh in the Sanctuary. Building on studies already done, the Government hopes to increase understanding of fish and other marine animals living in the area and any specific needs the dolphins may have in relation to particular habitat types.

Management plans have been written specifically for two areas within the Sanctuary - Mutton Cove (2.5Mb PDF) and Mangrove Cove (1.7Mb PDF) and are available to download.

In addition, the Government is working with new and existing developers and industries in the area to minimise their environmental impacts.

The aim is to help make sure the dolphins have the food necessary for them to continue living in the Sanctuary and the environment they need to support all of their activities.

Objective 3 - Improve water quality

Maintaining healthy water quality is essential to protect dolphin habitat. Poor water quality impacts on the health of everything living in it. In the past, the Port Adelaide River has been used as a convenient way to dispose of unwanted materials, but today these attitudes have changed. We now recognise how essential a healthy environment is to support our daily business, now and in the future.

Initiatives and policies introduced by the Environment Protection Authority to reduce discharges into the waterways are supported by the work of local industries and neighbouring councils, particularly the City of Port Adelaide Enfield and City of Salisbury. Significant work is also being done by the Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges NRM Board.

Community volunteers are working with KESAB (Keep South Australia Beautiful Inc) and Project Dolphin Safe to clean up litter and rubbish in the area. The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary provides a common tangible goal to give a new purpose to all of these activities and provides motivation to begin some new initiatives.

Objective 4 - Ensure the interests of the community are taken into account in management of the area

Department for Environment and Heritage staff are working with a diverse range of stakeholders to ensure the management of the Sanctuary utilises the best information possible, reflecting the knowledge and experience of diverse community interests.

To support this, the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Advisory Board provides the Minister for Environment and Conservation with advice from community members with a wide range of relevant experience.

Objective 5 - Promote public awareness of the importance of a healthy environment to the economic, social and cultural prosperities of the area

The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Education Resource provides comprehensive information about dolphins and their environment.

Learning isn't just for schools! Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary staff are speaking to community groups about issues in the Sanctuary and this work will continue as new programs are developed to support the achievement of our Sanctuary objectives.

Work is also being undertaken by the Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges NRM Board to promote awareness of the importance of this area's coastal and marine environment.

Objective 6 - Promote the principles of ecologically sustainable development in management of the area

The South Australian Government is committed to making ecological sustainability a fundamental part of the way business is done in our state. The Port Adelaide area is undergoing a transformation. Some major projects with benefits for the whole state are currently proposed or underway.

The state has identified the opportunity for significant economic growth with these projects. At the same time, it is imperative to make sure the operations are conducted in a sustainable way - to make sure the dolphins are appropriately considered as the developments proceed.

Conclusion

When all of these actions are taken together, the Government will be able to address the issues that may impact on the dolphins and their habitat.

This will not only keep the dolphins and their environment healthy, it will improve the environment for everyone who uses this area.

Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Advisory Board

The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Act 2005 requires the appointment of an eleven member Board to provide advice to the Minister for Environment and Conservation. Details of the requirements for the Board are described in the Act in Division 3.

The first eleven members were appointed by the Governor on 24 November 2005 for a three year term:

Ms Peri Coleman, Presiding member (resigned December 2006);
Dr Mike Bossley, (appointed Presiding Member May 2007);
Ms Lynette Crocker;
Ms Jenny Daly (appointed January 2007);
Ms Sue Gibbs;
Ms Pat Harbison;
Ms Philippa Holt;
Mr Carl Kavina;
Ms Jane Sloane (resigned June 2006)
Mr Trevor Watts;
Mr David Wilson; and
Mr Tony Zappia.

Together, these members have skills and experience in:

Dolphin conservation and research;
Community education programs management;
Conservation of marine ecosystems;
Fisheries management;
Local government;
Tourism and recreation management;
Industry development and management;
Port and harbor management;
Kaurna culture and heritage from the female perspective; and
Kaurna culture and heritage from the male perspective.

In addition they have a commitment to the protection and enhancement of the Port River estuary and Barker Inlet.

The Board has provided significant advice to support the development of the draft Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Management Plan and Reference Papers and as part of its on-gong role, will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the final Management Plan.

The Board is also required to prepare an Annual Report on its operations. This report is included in the Minister's Annual Report (100Kb PDF) on the administration of the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Act.