The plight of the giant cuttlefish, coming up against the mining industry in a David and Goliath battle, has caught the attention of conservation organisations around the country.

Organisations such as the Wilderness Society and the Australian Conservation Foundation have orchestrated a media campaign against plans by BHP to build a desalination plant on the Point Lowly Peninsula.

Australian Conservation Foundation marine campaign coordinator Chris Smyth said the Spencer Gulf is unsuited to things like desalination.

“The feeling we’re getting is the cuttlefish were decimated some years ago due to over fishing and now their numbers may take another hit with the industrialisation of the gulf,” he said.

It isn’t just brine discharge which will be flushed out into the gulf, but also chemicals and metals from the desalination process.

Mr Smyth said the port proposed for the area is also of concern.

“The question has to be asked, if ships will be coming down to South Australia in the future with the rising cost of oil,” he said.

“If oil rises to $200 a barrell it will fundamentally change the formula for transport.

“There will be ramifications right through the economy.

“It needs to be considered if it will be viable in the long run.”

Peter Owen from the Wilderness Society said the desalination plant may have a significant impact on the cuttlefish.

“The Wilderness Society has been opposed to the desalination plant at Port Bonython since it was originally put forward on the grounds it can’t be ruled out it would have a significant impact on the cuttlefish,” he said.

“That area is one of the most significant sites in South Australia.

“We know the marine environment is very susceptible to changes in Ph levels, salinity, increased sediment from dredging, all those things.

“There has been no evidence that issue has been dealt with so we will continue to oppose it.

“We can’t afford to lose this species.”

Mr Owen said that individual Environmental Impact Statement’s don’t tell the whole story as it doesn’t take into account the cummulative stresses heavy industrial activity might have on the cuttlefish.

“We’re looking at the broader impact of having an industrial hub there.

“(Exporting) copper concentrate is one of three or four things that may have an impact on the cuttlefish.

“With the cumulative impact of all these things, what we’re looking at is the total decimation of that environment.

“The cumulative effect will have a very significant impact, I don’t see how it couldn’t.

“Unless the companies are willing to sign a legal guarantee that they will shut down their activities if they start having an impact - if they don’t, then what does that mean?

“Either they don’t believe their own EIS or they simply don’t care.”