Deep Sea News : How Much Do You Like Big Cuttlefish?

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How Much Do You Like Big Cuttlefish?

Category: Conservation & Environment
Posted on: December 3, 2007 9:22 AM, by CR McClain

Photo from the Cephalopod PageThe reason I ask is the Giant Australian Cuttlefish, the world's largest cuttlefish at 23lbs and near 4-5 ft long, may be facing a tougher future. Giant Australian Cuttlefish, Sepia apama, are confined to southern Australia between depths of 0m-100m. One of the largest breeding grounds for this species is Port Bonython which is being targeted by the mining industry for large deep-sea port to ship out billions of dollars of uranium, copper, gold and other minerals.

The state's Chamber of Mines and Energy is lobbying Premier Mike Rann and senior ministers to develop Port Bonython because it is close to rail links. If the bid is successful, about 20 large ships a week will dock at the port compared with two at present and a 3km jetty would be built to handle the extra traffic...And if the expanded port did not kill off the species, a planned desalination plant - also for the mining industry and also for Port Bonython - would, Professor Gillanders said.

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Comments

I do not have a bleeding heart, but they need to protect the habitat if it's indeed one of their "main" breeding grounds. There are plenty of ports out there, can't they just choose another?

Posted by: Benny | December 3, 2007 11:13 AM

I know I asked for more cephalopods, but I didn't want it to be horrifying stuff!

Posted by: Firebyrd | December 3, 2007 1:01 PM

Aw, man...

My comment needs to be approved.

Posted by: Cuttlefish | December 3, 2007 4:41 PM

Here, I'll do it this way. If you want the links and commentary, the whole thing is linked below. Please just delete the one in the approval queue.

Australia is evidence: memories don't last--
They ought to have learned from mistakes in the past;
The hull of a ship carries passengers, too
(Ask any whose job is to clean off that goo--
Green algae, and seaweeds, and mussels and such
Which can kill off the locals--it doesn't take much).
This plan should be dropped like a really bad habit,
If Aussies have learned from the tale of the rabbit;
There's a reason, you see, for the rabbit-proof fence:
Once you bring bunnies hither, you can't send them hence.
They devastate flora, and quickly outbreed
Their marsupial neighbors--a problem indeed.
Or look to the waters at Port Philip Bay
Where another invasive is living today;
The Northern Pacific Sea Star is its name
At that bay, there's a full hundred million to blame
For destroying the natives, both mollusks and corals--
When species collide, we get more than mere quarrels.
From foxes and cats, who are powerful killers,
To carp and salvinia, waterway-fillers,
From cane toads to mynas, to red fire ants,
Once here it's too late, so you can't miss your chance.
These cuttlefish giants are beautiful creatures
(Just look at the picture! What beautiful features!)
I hope that Port Bonython learns from the past
And decides that they want their Austrialia to last;
Ecosystems are fragile--we know they can break;
I'm begging you--please don't repeat your mistake.