, \ 0’2-CABINET COVER SHEET

1. TITLE: Gulf St Vincent Ramsar Site Proposal

2. MINISTER: Hon lain Evans MP Minister for Environment and Heritage Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing

3. PURPOSE: To seek Cabinet approval to develop a proposal to nominate an area of northern Gulf St Vincent as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.

4. RESOURCES REQUIRED FOR IMPLEMENTATION: None required.

5.. RELATIONSHIP TO GOVERNMENT POLICY: This proposal forms part of the Government’s

1997 pre"election policy commitment on the environment.

6. CONSULTATION: Consultation has taken place with Primary Industries and Resources SA (Fisheries and SARDI), Department for Transport, Urban Planning and the Arts (Transport SA and Planning SA), and the EPA.

7. FAMILY IMPACT STATEMENT: No

8. URGENCY: Within the six working day rule.

9. RECOMMENDATIONS: It is recommended that Cabinet:

4.1 Approves the development ofa proposal for the nomination of a1i- area of northern Gulf St Vincent as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention; and

4.2 Notes that consultation with key stakeholders on the possible boundary of the proposed wetlands will occur prior to finalising the nomination proposal. ~

SIGNATURE OF MINISTER: ~~~;r~ IN EVANS ONMENT AND HERITAGE

MINUTEforming. ENCLOSURE to EH01/0007CSCS

TO: THE PREMIER FOR CABINET

RE: GULF ST VINCENT RAMSAR PROPOSAL

1. PROPOSAL

1.1 That Cabinet endorses the development of a proposal to nominate an area of northern Gulf St Vincent as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.

2. BACKGROUND

2.1 The "Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as waterfowl habitat" was negotiated in the town ofRamsar in Iran in 1971. Australia became the first signatory to the Convention (also knoWn as the "Ramsar Convention") in 1975. Contracting parties to the Ramsar Convention have agreed to nominate any wetland that complies with the Convention’s criteria as a wetland of international importance.

2.2 South Australia has four listed Ramsar wetlands, the Riverland (east of Renmark), Coongie Lakes in the Far North, Bool and Hacks Lagoon in the South East, and the Coorong, and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert wetlands.

2.3 The Government’s 1997 pre-election policy commitment on our coasts and marine environments states:

"South Australia has a wide range of unique coastal, marine and estuarine environments. Our valuable fisheries must be ’[lI’ot<Jl:ted, from land based pollutants, inappropriate development and over-jishing. We must provide safe havens for our marine wildllfe and unspoiled beaches for our communities.

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Gulf St Vincent

Gulf St Vincent is a magnificent asset to the State. It supports an abundant aquatic ecosystem, provides an important sea link to other cities, produces fish and seafood recongised throughout the world, has wonderful beaches and coastal scenery, and supports a wide range of water based recreational activities.

The effects of urbanisation on the Gulf need to be addressed, so that the full benefit of the Gulf can be sustained. For ’e)Jpample, the issue of seagrass decline along the Adelaide metropolitan coastline was ignored by the previous Labor Government. If the current rate of decline continues there will. be no seagrass in the Adelaide ecosystem within 20 years.

MINUTE forming ENCLOSURE to EHOl/0007CSCS

Ihere are many things that we need to do, and the Liberal Government will commence a major focus on the Gulf St Vincent to ensure that we guarantee its long term future.

We will:. Encourage the community to have a major say in the future of the Gulf, facilitated throught our new environment statement ’Protecting Gulf St Vincent’.. ’Prepare and implement a whole-of-government management plan for Gulf St Vincent.. Seek the resources to unckrta/ a biological survey of Gulf St.Vincent.. Investigate the potential df parts df Gulf St Vincent as Ramsar wetlands df international significance...."

2.4 In a letter to the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator the Hon Robert Hill, it was proposed that a bench-top assessment would be made of the significance of the area and its suitability as a Ramsar wetland.

3. DISCUSSION

3.1 The marine and estuarine waters of South Australia represent some of the most unique and biologically diverse waters to be found in Australia. Of particular significance are the two large sheltered tidal gulf ecosystems of Gulf St Vihcent and Spencer Gulf which provide habitat for some of the largest areas or temperate mangrove, seagrass and tidal saltmarsh communities in Australia. These communities provide key habitats for waterfowl and waders, and important feeding, breeding and nursery areasufor -

. economically important fish species and. crustaceans. In Gulf St Vincent, mangroves and associated coastal saltmarshes, seagrasses and tidal mudflats dominate the upper portion oftheGulfftom around Port Adelaide to Price.

3.2 This northern region of the gulf is regarded as a significant area as it is amongst the ten most important sites for waders in Australia. Many migratory wader species which are listed on various international agreements (ie. Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement and the China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement) are known to utilise the area. A 1998 study identified 126 bird species for the area, comprising 37 species of waterbirds, 19 migratory waders, 10 endemic wader species, 52 terrestrial species, and eight species of birds of prey. This study also indicated that the area regularly supports in excess of 60,000 waterbirds. Although a recent survey observed a decline

MINUTEforming ENCLOSURE to EHOl/0007CSCS

in numbers of waders, with an estimate of around 40,000, it is still considered to be of extremely high value for shorebirds (Appendix I).

3.3 It is considered that the upper Gulf St Vincent area (north of a line drawn approximately from Price to St Kilda) would fulfi1 the criteria for a Ramsar wetland.

3.4 Extensive privately owned saltfields occur in the Barker Inlet-Port Gawler area and at Price. These saltfields are of considerable significance as feeding grounds for several wader species. Inclusion of these areas within a nomination for a Ramsar site would require consultation and discussion with the landholders and their cooperation. Exclusion of the saltfields from the nominated area would make ~ustification under the Ramsar criteria somewhat tenuous. The proposed area also includes the Commonwealth-owned Port Wakefield Proof Range and there would need to be consultation with the Commonwealth regarding nomination of the area as a Ramsar site. There are also extensive commercial and recreational fishing interests associated with the area.

3.5 The top portion of the Gulf and its mangrove and sampmre habitats is a unique marine and estuarine environment. It is highly likely that this areas would be considered as suitable for a marine protected area under the Government’s i1 titaives to ilnplement the Marine and Estuarine Strategy.

3.6 Other Impacts and Implications

3.6.1 Economic, financial and budget implications The development of a proposal will be met from within existing resources. Nomination of the area as a Ramsar wetland would require preparation of a management plan to ensure any activities within the area were ecologically sustainable and an extensive public consultation procest as part of development of the management plan.

3.6.2 State development, social, environmental and other impacts Any actions undertaken in this area that could impact adversely on the migratory waders are subject to appraisal under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Nomination of an area of northern Gulf St Vincent as a Ramsar wetland would. provide a further trigger under this Act. The nomination would not in itself prevent commercial or recreational activities from occurring, but would subject them to further scrutiny. Also, it places an obligation on the Government to prepare a management plan that allows for sustainable utilisation compatible with the conservation and maintenance of the natural properties of the area.

3.6.3 Staffing implications The development of a proposal will be met from within existing resources.

MINU1Eforming ENCWSURE to EHOJI0007CSCS

3.6.4 Consultation Primary Industries and Resources SA (Fisheries and SARDI), Department for Transport, Urban Plam ng and the Arts (Transport SA and Plamng SA), and the EP A have been consulted on the proposal through the Marine Managers Forum and comments have been incorporated.

If Cabinet endorses the proposal for the development of a nOllnation of the northern Gulf St Vincent as a Ramsar wetland, there will need to be extensive consultation undertaken with all landholders in the area and other key stakeholders, such as Commonwealth and State Government agencies, and industry, conservation and recreational groups with an interest in the area.

3.7 Executive Council This subllssion’ does not require the approval of His Excellency the Governor in Executive Council.

4. RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that Cabinet:

4.1 Approves the development of a proposal for the nomination of an area of northern Gulf St Vincent as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention; and

4.2 notes that consultation with key stakeholders on the possible boundary of the osed wetlands will occur prior to finalising the nOllnation proposal.

...HON Minister Minister

Date: ~ EVANSMP r Environment and Heritage

;;"" Sport ~d R~m,

ATTACHMENT 1 ASSESSMENT OF NORTHERN GULF ST VINCENT AGAINST RAMSAR

CRITERIA

The Criteria for Identifying Wetlands of International Importance as adopted by tbe 4th, 6th, and 7th Meetings of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to tbe Convention on Wetlands - Ramsar, Iran, 1971 to guide implementation of Article 2.1 on designation ofRamsar sites.

Group A of the Criteria. Sites containing representative, rare or unique wetland types.

Criterion 1: A wetland should be considered internationally, important if it, contains a representative, rare, or unique example of a natural or near natural wetland type found within the appropriate biogeographic region.

The Interim Marine and Coastal, Regionalisation of Australia (IMCRA) has been used in South Australia to assist in tbe development of a representative system of Marine Protected Areas. A total of 8 bioregions comprised of 35 biounits have been described under lMCRA for South Australia.

The Gulf St Vincent Bioregion is a shallow, sheltered gulf ecosystem comprising extensive areas of ecologically significant subtidal and tidal coastal wetlands. The Bioregion has been sub-divided into 10 biounits of which the Clinton biounit covers the area being considered in this nomination proposal as a Ramsar wetland.

The Clinton biounit extends ftom Ardrossan on the eastern side ofY orke Peninsula to Marino Rocks just soutb of Adelaide: It includes the upper reaches of the Gulf and covers an area of 249,136 hectares. This region is one of very low wave energies, particularly at the head of the gulf. It includes mangrove, coastal saltmarshes, tidal mudflats, sandy beaches and some low rocky shores. Of the total inshore subtidal habitats mapped seagrass meadows comprise 132,576 hectares (84.4%), sandy bottoms comprise 21,173 hectares (13.5%) and reefs comprise 3,280 hectares (2.1%). ’-Gulf St Vincent (along with Spencer Gulf) contains some of the most extensive areas of mangrove (Avicennia marina var resinifera) woodlands and tidal wetlands in South Australia and the largest areas of temperate mangroves in Au stralia. The Clinton biounit contains tbe largest areas of tidal wetlands and mangroves within Gulf St Vincent. Approximately 2,932 hectares of mangrove woodland representing 19% of mangroves within South Australia occur within the proposed Ramsar wetland area.

Landward of the mangroves but within the limit of astronomical tides low shrubland communities cover 3,046 hectares within the proposed area representing 13% of South Australia’s tidal saltmarsh habitats. Within wetter parts of the tidal saltmarshes Sclerostegia arbuscula +- Sarcocornia quinqUJiflora form low shrublands. On higher sites within the tidal saltmarsh zone Maireana oppositifolia often forms low shrub1ands. Halosracia halocnemioitles s:p halocnemioides also forms a significant low shrubland community particularly where there is poor drainage and soils are waterlogged.

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Above the limit of astronomical tides but within the reach of storm assisted water levels extensive supratidal saltmarsh communities occur. These occupy 5,364 hectares representing 20% of South Australia’s supratidal saltmarsh habitat. Halosarcia indica forms extensive low shrublands. Atriplex ’Paludosa also forms low shrub lands near the limit of storm tides. In depressions where drainage is poor and soil salinity high Halosarcia flabelliformis often forms low shrublands’ often in association with Halosarcia halocrremioides ssp halocnemioides.

Group B f the Criteria. Sites f international importance for conser.ving biological. diversity

. Criteria based on species and ecological comnutnities

Criterion 2: A wetland should. be considered internationally important. if it. supports vulnerable, endangered, or. criticallj; endangered species or. threat ed ecological communities.

The area supports one threatened plant and several threatened bird species. The threatened plant is the samphire species Halosarcia flabelliformes (bead samphire) which is rated "Vulnerable" at the State and national level.Threatened birds recorded from the area include the White.bel1ied Sea Eagle (State Vulnerable), Slender.billed Thornbill (State Vulnerable), Eastern Curlew (State Vulnerable), Latharns Snipe (State Vulnerable), Fairy Tern (State Vulnerable), Freckled Duck (State Vulnerable).

Criterion 3: A wetland should be considered internationallj; important if it supports ’Populations f ’Plant and/or. animal species important. for maintaining the biological diversity f a ’Particular. biogeographic region. ...Associated with the mangrove’ habitats of the Clinton biounit are the biologically rich mud flats, coastal saltmarshes and seagrasses. Together, these communities provide key habitats for waterbirds and waders and important feeding, breeding and nursery areas for many fish and crustaceans, including economically important species.

The Clinton biounit contains the largest areas of seagrass meadows in Gulf St Vmcent. These seagrass meadows provide the basis for the significant productivity of the Gulf in terms of fisheries and prawn production.

Criterion 4: A wetland should be considered internationallj; important. if it supports ’Plant and/or. animal species at a critical stage in their. life cycles, or ’Provides refuge during adverse conditions.

Northern Gulf St Vincent is considered to be an important nursery, spawning and feeding area fur a number of commercial and recreational marine fish and crustaceans. These include King r

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George Whiting, Yellow-fin Whiting, Garfish, Yellow-eye Mullet, Bream and crustaceans such as Western King Prawn and the Blue Swimmer Crab.

Specific criteria based on waterbirds

Criterion 5: A wetland should be considered internationallp important if it regularlp supports 20,000 or. more waterbirds.

The northern Gulf region is an important area for waterbirds with around 92 species being recorded, including 35 species of waders. This area of the South Australian coastline is considered significant as a feeding ground fur waders and regular surveys have been conducted by the Royal Australasian OTIthological Union and the Australasian Wader Studies Group. The main concentrations of waders occur along the northern shores of the Gulf ITom the Port River to the Price saltworks and the area is estimated to support in excess of the criterion of 20,000 waterbirds on a regular basis. Although numbers in the recent 2,000 survey were lower than in previous surveys the northern Gulf still held 39,165 waders with seven species of international and three species of national significance (Table 1).

Many migratory wader species which are listed on various international agreements, such as the Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA) and China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA), have also been recorded ITom northern Gulf St Vincent (Table 2). Additionally the Eastern Curlew and Latham’s Snipe are listed as migratory waterbird species of special conservation interest in the Asia-Pacific region (Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 1996-2000). Although neither species is currently considered Conservation Dependent by international definition, their global population estimates are such to cause concern and flag the species as close to qualifying as "Vulnerable".

Six sites of international importance for waders have been identified within the northern Gulf region: Price Saltfields; Clinton Conservation Park; Parham area; Port Prime; Penrice Saltfields; Port River estuary. ~Criterion 6: A wetland should be considered internationallp important if it regularlp supports 1 % of the individuals in a’Population of one. species or. subspecies of waterbird

Within the northern Gulf St Vincent area there are several sites which support greater than 1% ofthe estimated Australian population of species of waterbird.

Price Saltfields supports greater than 1% of the estimated Australian population of Curlew Sandpiper, Greenshank, Grey Plover, Red-necked Stint and Ruddy Turnstone.

Clinton Conservation Park supports greater than 1% of the estimated Australian population of Greenshank, Grey Plover and Red-necked Stint.The Sandy Point to Port Arthur area supports numbers of Grey Plover greater than 1% of the estimated Australian population of the species.

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Penrice Saltfields supports greater than I % of the estimated Australian population of Curlew Sandpiper, Greenshank, Marsh sandpiper and Red-necked Stint.

Specijic criteria based on fish

Criterion 7: A wetland should be considered internationallp important if it supports a signijicantptaportion f indigenous fish subspecies, species or families, life-histo")’ stages, species interactions and/or populations that ate representative f wetland benefits and/or values and thereby contributes to global biological diversity.

The northern area of Gulf St Vincent contains some of the most extensive areas of mangrove forests and tidal wetlands in South Australia. Associated with the mangrove habitats are the biologically rich mudflats, coastal saltmarshes and seagrasses. These communities provide key habitats and important feeding, breeding and nursery areas for a number of fish species (eg King George Whiting, Yellow-fin Whiting, Southern Sea Garlish, Yellow-eye Mullet, Tommy Ruff, Southern Fiddler Ray, Bream).

Criterion 8: A wetland should be considered internationallp important if it is an important source f food for fishes, spawning ground, nurse")’ and/or migration path on which fish stocks, either within the wetland or elsewhere, depend.

The extensive seagrass meadows which flourish in the shallow waters of Gulf St Vincent provide the basis for the significant productivity of the Gulf in terms of fisheries and prawn production. The seagrass meadows are considered to be of fundamental importance to the maintenance of the whole Gulf ecosystem.

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TABLE 1: WADER SURVEYS FOR NORTHERN GULF ST VINCENT

Number Observed Number ObservedSpecies 1981 Survey 2000 Survey Significance

Pied Oystercatcher 27 86Sooty Oystercatcher 102 140 InternationalMasked Lapwing 410 198Grey Plover 930 451 InternationalPacific Golden Plover 47 0Red-kneed Dotterel 2 64Lesser Sand Plover 5 3Double-banded Plover 1 0Greater Sand Plover 26 0Red-capped Plover 3,525 1,228 InternationalBlack - rronted Plover 0 9Black-winged Stilt 338 458Banded Stilt 5,288 9,985 InternationalRed-necked Avocet 1,267 38Ruddy Turnstone 162 212 NationalEastern Curlew 145 120Whimbrel 90 20Wood Sandpiper 0 38Grey-tailed Tattler 56 3Common Sandpiper 15 6Common Greenshank 963 614 InternationalMarsh Sandpiper 48 . 156 NationalTerek Sandpiper 2 1Black-tailed Godwit 149 1Bar-tailed Godwit 1,661 742Red Knot 770 2,019 NationalGreat Knot 630 702Sharp-tailed Sandpiper 16,864

. ~International6,801

Pectoral Sandpiper 0 4Red-necked Stint 21,772 13,582 InternationalLong-toed Stint 0 4Curlew Sandpiper 6,1 05 1,480 .

Totals 61,400 39,165.

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TABLE 2: MIGRATORY BIRD SPECIES RECORDED IN NUMBERS IN THE UPPER GULF ST VINCENT IN THE LAST 20 YEARS SUBJECT TO INTERNATIONAL MIGRATORY BIRD AGREEMENTS (JAMBA & CAMBA)

Species (common/scientific name) . CAMBA JAMBA NPW ActBar-tailed Godwit (Limu.sa lavrmniea) X XBlack-tailed Godwit (Limusa limu.sa) X XBroad-billed Sandpiper (Limieola faleinellas) X XCaspian Tern (Sterna easpia) X XCattle Egret (Ardea ibis) X XCommon Sandpiper (Actitus hypoleueus) X XCrested Tern (Sterna berf!i) XCurlew Sandpiper {Calidris ferruf!ined) X XEastern Curlew (Numenius madngascariensis) X X Vulnerab1eGlossy Ibis (Plef!adisfaleinellus) X RareGreat Egret (Ardea alba)

. X XCkeat Knot (Calidris tenaiostris) X XGreenshank (TrinKa nebularia) X X .

Grey-tailed Tattler (JIeteroscelus im:;anus) X XGrev Plover (Pl1lVialis s(l1latarola) X XLatham’s Snipe (Gallinaf!u hardwiekii) X . X Vulnerab1eLong-toen Stint (Calidris subminuta) X X .

Little Curlew (Numenius minutus) X XMarsh !’:a..nnniner tTninflQ staflnatilis) X XOriental Plover (Charadrius veredus) XOriental Pratincole (Glareola maldivarum) X XPacific Golden Plover (Pluvialisfulva)Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanot(Js) XRed Knot (Calidris eanutus) X XRed-necked Stint (Calidris rufieollis) X XRuddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) X XSanderling (Calidris alba) X XSharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris aeuminata) X XTerek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus) X XWhimbrel CNumenius ’phaeopus) X XWood Sandpiper (TrinKa’f!:lareola) X X

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