The Start of the Sanctuary

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The establishment of the dolphin sanctuary for the Port River and Barker Inlet dolphins was proposed by members of the local community because of concerns about the safety of the dolphins and the quality of their environment.

Extensive consultation to determine how this sanctuary might be established confirmed the strong desire in the general community to protect dolphins and the natural area where they live. To achieve this protection, specific legislation was proposed to establish the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, including coordinating the range of Government activities in the area to a common set of conservation goals.

The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Act 2005 was proclaimed in June 2005.

See Legislation page

Cooperation between the community, industry, local and state government agencies is the key to achieving genuine protection for the dolphins and their environment.

Although there are several other government sponsored dolphin reserves in the world, none of them address the issues and integrate the range of activities to the degree provided by this legislation. As the Government and community work together to develop the sanctuary, the rest of the world will be watching to learn from our experience.

See Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary…A strategy (100Kb PDF)
See Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Brochure (100Kb PDF)

Seven Strategies

The Act is based on seven strategies to help protect the dolphins. These strategies are:

1. The Act is based on clear objects and objectives to facilitate understanding and achievement of the goals of the Sanctuary.
2. Eleven existing Acts are amended to help achieve integration of Government activities. This includes the addition of the Sanctuary objects and objectives to existing Acts where applicable, and also includes the requirement for appropriate consultation with the Sanctuary Minister when activities significantly affecting the Sanctuary are undertaken.
3. The Act requires the production of a Management Plan. This Plan will be complemented by an annual Implementation Program which will be part of the Minister's Annual Report to Parliament and will provide timely accountability and transparency for Sanctuary operations.
4. An Advisory Board will provide advice to the Minister from a range of experts outside of Government.
5. A fund will receive any monies from grants, gifts and bequests to help support Sanctuary operations.
6. The Act establishes a general duty of care to catch any activity which is not consistent with the objects and objectives and is not covered under existing legislation.
7. The Act requires the Minister for the Sanctuary to work with all members of the community to respect current use activities while undertaking education programs which promote the objects and objectives.

What happens next

The Act requires the preparation of a Management Plan within twelve months of proclamation. This Plan will integrate the operations of Government agencies with responsibilities for managing the area. The actions described in the Plan will directly support the achievement of the Act's objects and objectives.

Discussion papers addressing issues relating to each objective are currently being prepared and will be publicly available on their completion. They will contain the factual information necessary to determine the actions and priorities for inclusion in the Management Plan. Further public consultation will occur as a key component of the Management Planning process.

To provide an avenue for advice from experts outside of Government, the Act requires the establishment of an Advisory Board to advise the Minister for the Sanctuary on the preparation of the Management Plan and also any other related matters.

Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Advisory Board

On 4 June 2005, the Government called for expressions of interest from the public to serve on the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Advisory Board, an eleven member skills based Board. The terms and conditions for membership on the Board are described in the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Act in Division 3 (50Kb PDF) - Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Advisory Board. Nominations closed on 22 July 2005. Appointments to the Board will be made by the Governor on nomination of the Minister.