Northern Spencer Gulf
The Northern Spencer Gulf is an important region that provides environmental, social and economic benefits to all South Australians. As the name suggests, it is the northern region of the Spencer Gulf between Port Pirie, Whyalla and Port Augusta. It contains large areas of seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, mudflats and salt marshes that support a wide range of animals and plants.
The region is an important nursery and feeding area for many fish, molluscs and crustaceans, including commercially and recreationally important species. Ecotourism is becoming widespread, with a focus on the spawning of the Giant Cuttlefish (Sepia apama) near Whyalla.
What concerns are there for the Northern Spencer Gulf?
The Northern Spencer Gulf region is an important industrial area. Major industries in the region include the Zinifex lead-zinc smelter at Port Pirie, OneSteel steelworks at Whyalla and the Santos liquid hydrocarbon processing facility at Port Bonython. Utilities in the region include the NRG Flinders power stations at Port Augusta and SA Water wastewater treatment plants at Port Augusta, Port Pirie and Whyalla.
Many of these industries discharge heavy metals into the Northern Spencer Gulf. Studies conducted over a number of decades have shown high levels of metals in the northern region of the Gulf, particularly in Germein Bay near Port Pirie. This pollution has resulted in the South Australian Department of Health prohibiting the collection of shellfish from the majority of Germein Bay since July 1996.
What is being done to improve water quality in the Northern Spencer Gulf?
The EPA is currently working with the large industries in the Northern Spencer Gulf to reduce pollution by using environment improvement programs. The EPA has introduced load-based licensing to encourage large industries to further reduce pollution.