Contents
Dragon Search
(SA) Update
An early
scientific breakthrough
Review of
syngnathids export control exemption
Leafy seadragon
collecting: permitted in South Australia?
Conserving
Non-commercial Species
A State Fish
for California, why not South Australia?
Dragon Search
Expanding
T-shirts
soon
How can you
help?
Dragon Search would like to take the opportunity to thank SARDI for its support and invaluable assistance so far, in particular that given by Janine Baker in designing the Access Database format. Her experience will also be invaluable in future analysis of the survey data.
Whilst the Dragon Search database is still in its early stage, initial records appear to reflect some of the anecdotal comments made by divers. Of the records so far over 70% are of sightings of Leafy Seadragons. It may well be that Weedy Seadragons are “uncommon” in South Australian waters, and therefore may warrant protected fish status similar to Leafies.
Of note is the lack of recent sightings of Leafies from areas of the
Fleurieu Peninsula coast. Anecdotally a number of areas here were known
as “hot spots” amongst divers (and aquarium collectors). The few sightings
received from these areas tend to support the recent call for a moratorium
on collection of both Weedy and Leafy Seadragons in areas around Victor
Harbor and the Fleurieu Peninsula.
An early scientific breakthrough
The first scientific study of the ecology of leafy seadragons started
with lots of underwater observations of these beguiling creatures over
the summer of 1995/1996.
Diving everyday for a couple of weeks in the Victor Harbour region
of Encounter Bay, members of the research team came to know individual
dragons by sight. Each individual had a different pattern of damage and
wear of its 22 leafy appendages. The fine white markings on their faces
also give each fish a characteristic look (patience or a good photograph
needed), and are less likely to alter over longer periods. The cryptic
look and behaviour of leafy seadragons make re-sighting difficult, but
some individuals were seen over and again.
This was the first evidence that individuals occupy something of a home range, as ecologists would say, meaning that they do tend to remain in the same place over time. Would this pattern hold for more than a few days? Yes, we have now re-sighted some seadragons more than three months later near where they were sighted. This is the first scientific breakthrough on the ecology of this fantastic species. It might be easier to study the ecology of a species which can be more easily found underwater in large numbers, but we could not have had more fun.
Other members of the diving team were: Andrew Melville, Rachael Bathgate, Emma Cronin, Brian Davies and Jeff Kwik. The project is funded by the Australian Nature Conservation Agency, in conjunction with SARDI.
Dr Rod Connolly
Griffith University, Qld
Review of syngnathids export control exemption
For two years the Threatened Species Network (Tas) (TSN-Tas) has campaigned for the protection of syngnathids (seahorses, seadragons and pipefishes) under the Commonwealth Wildlife Protection Act. Currently, marine fish species are exempted under this Act.
In November 1995, the Australian Nature Conservation Agency (ANCA) announced that Minister Faulkner had agreed to review Schedule Four (exempt species), with a view to removing all species requiring protection.
The TSN (Tas) has recommended to ACNA the removal from Schedule Four of all syngnathids, other groups of vulnerable fishes (handfishes and anglerfishes) and some groups of invertebrates. We believe this action is justified for syngnathids as there is an enormous demand for these species in Asian countries. While the extent and effects of exploitation of these groups of species in Australia are not well known, all potentially vulnerable marine species should be protected as a preventative action.
Some people are concerned that the TSN (Tas)’s proposals would result in unnecessary restrictions on trade in fish species. However, protection under the Act, except for officially endangered species, will provide a minimal level of control, to require traders to monitor effects on wild populations or to obtain animals through captive breeding.
People wishing to have input to development of guidelines for removing species from Schedule four should contact Gerry Mayne or Robert Moore, Australian Nature Conservation Agency, GPO Box 636, CANBERRA, ACT 2601.
Peter McGlone,
Tasmanian Coordinator TSN (Tas)
Leafy seadragon collecting: permitted in South Australia?
It is illegal to collect leafy seadragons in South Australia. There are rumours, and some evidence, of leafy seadragons being illegally collected, but there have also been several permits granted through Primary Industries SA to collect a small number of leafy seadragons legally. The permits have been granted for the purpose of showing the non-diving public this incredible fish, for scientific research aimed at conservation, or for aquaculture-based concepts. Some permits are for overseas companies.
All permits over the last 2 years, for the collection of over 40 animals, have been for the Encounter Bay to Cape Jervis zone. Some legal collecting for the purposes listed above is probably warranted. The Encounter Bay region, however, is not the best location for this purpose. The Victor Harbor area within Encounter Bay is a favourite place for divers to see leafy seadragons, and is the region in which most recorded sightings have so far been made in SA (via the Marine Life Society (SA) and Dragon Search). It is easily accessible from Adelaide, and might eventually become a marine protected area. We have had absolutely no information on how many seadragons were in the area or how quickly the dragons replenish an area after collection. The Encounter Bay region is now the location for the first ever research project into the ecology of leafy seadragons (see article, page 1).
We are working with SARDI and Primary Industries (SA) to ensure that the seadragons of Encounter Bay are not depleted by the well-meaning legal collectors.
Dr Rod Connolly (Griffith University) &
Tony Flaherty (Marine & Coastal Community Network,
SA/Dragon Search SA)
Conserving Non-commercial Species
Typically “non-commercial” fish species have received little attention from fisheries managers and researches. There may well be a need to introduce regulations relating to the management or our aquaria and other industries to regulate the trade in Syngnathids and other species and to discourage black market activities in these species.
Tasmania has been particularly progressive in developing guidelines for management of non-commercial species. In Victoria, moratoriums on collection of organisms around jetties and piers, and other significant dive sites, help to conserve these areas as popular dive attractions, adding value to the marine tourism industry.
Until the ecology of species such as Leafy and Weedy Seadragons is unravelled, caution should be exercised in the issuing of permits for collection. If aquariums and other institutions are to be allowed to take these and other endemic fish, a more rational and scientific approach needs to be undertaken in determining numbers and areas where legal collection can be undertaken.
Whilst there may be some benefits in collecting these animals for public display, the practice of taking brooding males from wild stock may not be the most sustainable practice for local regions. Especially in the areas where legal collection has been concentrated.
However for long term conservation of these and other unique fauna and their habitats the establishment of marine protected areas in significant areas along the Fleurieu and other areas must be considered.
Tony Flaherty
MCCN (SA)/Dragon Search (SA)
A State Fish for California, why not South Australia?
The Southern California Channel Island of Catalina is an extremely popular dive site. The island was also popular for aquarium collectors, both commercial and private. In particular demand was the spectacular bright orange Garibaldi. Parts of the leeside of the island were discovered to have been wiped out of ornamental fish such as the Blue-Banded Goby, the Garibaldi and even the colourful molluscs, such as nudibranchs.
Local divers and conservationists concerns over the depletion of stocks outside the marine protected areas led them to lobby for legislation to extend marine protected areas around the island and also to place a moratorium on collection for the aquarium trade, as well as proclaim the Garibaldi the state marine fish.
The governor was so taken with local and international concern that
both initiatives were passed as legislation (AB77). The legislation will
also impose a temporary three-year moratorium on the commercial collecting
of the Garibaldi while a study is undertaken to determine the impact of
commercial fish collecting in temperate waters and declare the Bright Gold
Garibaldi as the “Official State Marine Fish”. The bill will not restrict
diving or the ability of divers to take game or scientists to collect any
organisms for research.
The Garibaldi is now protected by its status, and provides a very prominent
icon for marine conservation in California. Perhaps South Australia can
take the initiative and proclaim the Leafy Seadragon as our State Fish,
and provide a spectacular flagship species for marine conservation in this
state.
Tony Flaherty
MCCN (SA)/Dragon Search (SA)
The Marine and Coastal Community and Threatened Species Networks, in
association with the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Queenscliff
Marine Discovery Centre, are developing Dragon Search programs in other
states, using the survey model developed in SA. The data will be centralised
using the SA data base at SARDI. This adds an exciting regional approach
to community monitoring, with records being gathered in Western Australia,
South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. The network has also negotiated
with New South Wales Fisheries to integrate Weedy Seadragon sightings from
its Protected Species sightings program.
A T-shirt of the Leafy seadragon, designed by noted Kangaroo Island artist Jenny Clapson, will soon be available for purchase from Dragon Search at $25.00.
Contact Vicki-Jo Russell on +61 8 8223 5155 for further details.
Learning about the marine environment is the best way to help make a difference. There are many excellent resources available; contact the Marine & Coastal Community Network for more general information. By reading the information and survey brochures, organising a survey dive, recording old sightings onto survey sheets, looking out for seadragons amongst the seagrass as you stroll along the beach, contributing articles to The Dragon's Lair and letting others know about the project, you can make a significant contribution to this project, the protection of the two seadragon species and ultimately the marine environment.
If you would like to help the Dragon Search Project, register your interest
with the Dragon Search Coordinator in your State.
© Copyright Dragon Search 2000