SEPTEMBER’S WEATHER (IN ADELAIDE)

According to the Channel 9 Brenton Ragless Almanac for 2012, Adelaide’s weather for September is windy and cool to mild. The 6 warmest days are above 22C and the 6 coldest nights are below 7C. Wind speeds on ½ of the days exceed 15km/h at 9am & 18km/h at 3pm. Main directions are N at 9am & SW at 3pm.

ANNUAL CLOSURE FOR ROCK LOBSTER FISHERIES

The annual closure for the Northern Zone Rock lobster fishery bans all Rock lobster fishing activity until 12pm 1 November 2012. Fisheries Officers will patrol coastal waters, with pot owners risking having their pots confiscated or facing a maximum penalty of up to $10 000.

RELIEF FOR CUTTLEFISH

Cuttlefish breathed a collective sigh of relief at the recent announcements that BHP Billiton will not be expanding Olympic Dam and Deepak Fertilisers are not going ahead with its proposed ammonium nitrate plant near Whyalla. The 2011 survey of the Giant Australian Cuttlefish aggregation in northern Spencer Gulf by SARDI scientists concluded that abundance was low, the mean size of males and females was low and, at these levels, recruitment success may be compromised. The State Government has received Commonwealth assistance to monitor the breeding and habitat of Giant Cuttlefish in Upper Spencer Gulf over the next two years through a SARDI project.

CDAA AGM

The CDAA is holding its 2012 AGM & symposium in Mt Gambier on 27th October.

WIKIPEDIA PAGES OF SOME INTEREST TO DIVERS

The following Wikipedia pages may be of some interest to divers: -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_for_Underwater_Historical_Research

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_Divers_Association_of_Australia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nautical_Archaeology_Association_of_South_Australia

MARINE PARKS UPDATE

The SA State Government recently announced its latest plans for 19 Marine Parks across the State. Draft management plans and impact statements for the 19 parks have been released for public review. Comments are welcome until 22nd October. Public information sessions are being held in September. Further details about everything, including the public information sessions, can be found at www.marineparks.sa.gov.au . People will still be able to fish & dive in marine parks but no fishing will be permitted in sanctuary zones.