Image: Adelaide Glenelg Shellfish Reef, The Nature Conservancy Australia
A series of new shellfish reefs could soon be taking shape off the Yorke Peninsula, with four proposed sites identified as part of a major South Australian effort to restore lost marine habitat.
The State Government has revealed the preferred locations as work continues on the $2.6 million Rebuilding South Australia’s Lost Shellfish Reefs Program, which will establish 26 community shellfish reefs across Yorke Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and metropolitan Adelaide.
The proposed Yorke Peninsula sites are located near Point Pearce, Point Turton, Black Point and Edithburgh, with each community reef set to cover around one hectare of the ocean floor.
The sites have been selected following extensive mapping, modelling, environmental data collection and marine surveys, alongside consultation with local communities, industry stakeholders and Traditional Owners.
Restored shellfish reefs provide shelter and feeding grounds for fish, crabs, invertebrates and other marine life, while native oysters can help improve water quality by filtering excess nutrients and microscopic algae from the water.
The project is also expected to create new opportunities for recreational and nature-based tourism, including fishing, diving and citizen science.
Minister for Climate, Environment and Water and Tourism Emily Bourke said, “South Australia is leading the way in restoring one of our most important marine habitats while supporting healthier and more resilient coastal ecosystems.
“These reefs provide critical habitat for marine life, improve water quality and create opportunities for community participation, recreation and tourism.”
The community reefs are part of a broader push to rebuild shellfish habitat across the state, with five reefs already established off Eyre Peninsula at Coffin Bay, Tumby Bay and Boston Bay, alongside another reef at Nepean Bay off Kangaroo Island.
There is also a separate $10 million project planned for a large-scale limestone shellfish reef off Yorke Peninsula.
The Nature Conservancy has proposed two preferred locations for that reef, near Black Point and Sheaoak Flat on Yorke Peninsula’s east coast.
The large-scale reef will sit alongside the existing shellfish restoration project at Ardrossan, which is the largest shellfish restoration project in the Southern Hemisphere.
For locals wanting to find out more about what is planned for the region, a community information session will be held in Port Vincent on Monday, August 24th at 19 Marine Parade North between 3pm and 6pm.
Adelaide University marine ecologist Dr Dominic McAfee and The Nature Conservancy Oceans Coordinator (SA) Anita Thomas will be among the speakers.
Dr McAfee said, “Identifying preferred sites is a significant milestone in our efforts to restore shellfish reef habitat across South Australia.
“The proposed community reefs near Point Pearce, Point Turton, Black Point and Edithburgh have been selected following detailed scientific investigations and community input.
“We look forward to continuing to work with local communities as the project progresses towards construction.”
The program is funded through the Federal and State Governments’ $165 million investment in algal bloom response and recovery measures, with the remaining reef locations to be determined following further consultation with communities and industry.
