$17m Patawalonga gates flipped open at dolphin hot spot
A major Glenelg gate upgrade is complete and being enjoyed by the local dolphin population. But concerns remain that the algal bloom has “dramatically” affected dolphins’ food supply.
A $17.3 million project to replace eight steel gates and control systems at the south end of the Glenelg Marina was unveiled this morning, with resident dolphins enjoying the snazzy new entrance.
The stainless steel gates structure allows fresh seawater to circulate through the 1.6-kilometre-long Patawalonga Lake System and flow back out to sea via the Barcoo Outlet.
Environment Minister Lucy Hood said the upgrade would reduce flood risk in the surrounding Glenelg and Adelaide Airport area and keep the marine environment healthy for the local bottlenose dolphin population, like its most frequent dolphin visitor, June.
June has been coming to the Patawalonga Lake for about 10 years, and has “even taught the boaties to open this gate for him when he wants to head out”, Hood said.
Dolphin Dock founder and researcher Marianna Boorman said, “June’s pretty special” and would often leap on either side of the gates when he wants to come in and out.
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Hood and Boorman announced the gate upgrade, which should last 50 years without major refurbishment, on Tuesday morning.
It comes after water testing results last week showed the metropolitan coastline continues to have zero to low levels of Karenia, the algal species contributing to South Australia’s harmful algal bloom.
“The algal bloom hasn’t directly affected impacted the dolphins themselves but due to the number of fish in life that have died, I think their food supply has been dramatically affected, so we may see a later impact on the dolphins, which is concerning,” Boorman said.
Last week’s test results showed a slight elevation in Karenia in the West Lakes area, Hood said, and the state government would continue monitoring higher levels in Whyalla and Kangaroo Island.
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Hood said more water testing occurred on Monday and the results would be available in 48 hours.
Boorman said the Patawalonga Dolphin Trail, a self-guided trail supported by Green Adelaide, includes QR codes to learn about the dolphins and how to protect them.
“This includes never to feed, touch, or harm dolphins and to remind people to avoid approaching or harassing them, to reel in fishing lines if dolphins are close and to dispose of rubbish properly,” Boorman said.
