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Intertidal Reefs

Intertidal reefs – fully protected in SA

A closure for the taking of all benthic (bottom dwelling) organisms from intertidal rocky reef areas applies to all coastal waters in South Australia.

Intertidal reefs are those rocky areas of our coastline extending up to the high tide mark.

This closure means that it is illegal to remove any bottom dwelling organisms, including abalone from any intertidal rocky reef in South Australia out to a depth of two metres.

The closure only relates to rocky reefs and therefore does not include sand or beach areas.

Anatomy of the intertidal zone

Living in this intertidal zone are a diverse range of plants and animals dependant on the sea for their means of survival.

Barnacles and tubeworms feed by filtering microscopic organisms from the water. Herbivores, such as abalone, limpets and periwinkles, graze on seaweeds and other plants growing on the rocks.

Carnivores, such as the larger molluscs and crabs, hunt and scavenge for food.

Intertidal organisms are also dependant on the sea for their reproduction. Many of these organisms must shed their eggs or larvae into the sea to survive.

There are a wide range of intertidal habitats, each of which is divided into separate zones based on the influence of the tide.

These areas are fragile and are easily impacted by human activity

To protect these areas, it is an offence to remove bottom dwelling organisms from all intertidal rocky reef areas from the high tide line to a depth of two metres throughout South Australia. Government of South Australia Primary Industries and Resources SA AUSTRALIA SOUTH August 2005

Help preserve marine life around our reefs!

The removal of barnacles, shrimps, snails, crabs, coral, abalone, periwinkles, limpets, worms, mussels and other bottom dwelling organisms may seem harmless, but it represents a loss of food for other species further up the food chain including many highly sought after recreational and commercial fish species.

Once removed, it is difficult for reef life to recover because their larvae cannot travel long distances to replenish depleted populations.

For more information

Contact your nearest PIRSA Fisheries office or visit our website at www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishing.

This pamphlet is intended as a guide to fishing regulations in South Australia under the Fisheries Act 1982.

It does not replace the Act and should not be relied upon as a legal document