Tony Bramley believes the Whyalla community and the State Government has a responsibility to Australia and the world to preserve the cuttlefish aggregation.

“Along with this privilege we have here on our doorstep, at no charge, comes an obligation from Whyalla, from the State Government and the whole planet really, to protect it,” he said.

“It’s too important.

“We have got an obligation to not ‘F’ it up.”

Mr Bramley is concerned about the proposed developments for the Point Lowly area, especially the port which is proposed to go right over the cuttlefish viewing area.

“The port in my opinion is more of a threat to the environment, marine life and ecology out there.

“It can’t help but be disruptive, even with best practice and modern engineering, just through the earthworks and structures that are involved it will be disruptive.”

Tony said a balance must be struck so that industry and marine life can coexist.

“We have to accept that our community has an expectation and need for progress and jobs and industry but we can’t throw the baby out with the bathwater because industry isn’t permanent.

“When all these mines are just holes in the ground and the cuttlefish are gone, we’ll only have ourselves to blame and we’ll have to answer to the international community and be held for breach of trust is how I see it.

“It’s easy to get emotive and become bogged down with impracticalities, we do need jobs and progress but we can’t have these things at the expense of everything else.

“There has to be a balance and we have an obligation to find that balance.

“We have to exhaust all other avenues and step up to the plate to make sure we do everything we can to be accountable for having this privilege on our doorstep.

“I don’t know that we can afford to take those risks.”