Kangaroo Island North Coast Hope Spot

Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third largest island, and one of immense biological significance. Kangaroo Island, as a part of the Great Southern Reef, has an approximate 85% endemic rate, which means that about 85% of the species in the area are found nowhere else on Earth.

 Kangaroo Island North Coast has been declared a Hope Spot  by international marine conservation nonprofit Mission Blue in recognition of the Hope Spot Champions’ goals of increased marine protection for the island’s surrounding waters and the expansion of ecotourism and research tourism in the area. Mission Blue also recognizes the need to protect Kangaroo Island from a proposed timber port project. The Hope Spot is Championed by Tony and Phyll Bartram of  Kangaroo Island/Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch (KI/VH)  and their partner  AusOcean. 

Dr. Sylvia Earle, Founder of Mission Blue, says, “Kangaroo Island in South Australia holds an immense diversity of life, with many species there that are endemic to the region, meaning they are found nowhere else on Earth. We are a part of nature, not apart from it, and thus protecting the marine and terrestrial environments means protecting ourselves as well. I applaud Kangaroo Island/Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch and their partners for recognizing what is at stake and putting in the work to help safeguard this Hope Spot for the future.”

They are continuing acoustic monitoring of dolphin and whale movements with partner AusOcean and plan to collaborate with other scientific research entities to further research. The Champions have roadmaps laid out for restoration around the island including seagrass planting and oyster reef restoration initiatives along the North Coast.

Plans to develop a timber port at Smith Bay by Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers are threatening to impact on many species’ habitats, including the highly endangered Southern right whale, migratory dolphins, Kangaroo Island kangaroos, echidnas, and many other iconic animals.

“There is too much at stake”, says Phyll Bartram, Hope Spot Champion and Dolphin Watch Program Manager of Kangaroo Island/Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch. “We need to think about the future of the island and both its terrestrial and marine ecosystems. This area is so precious; there are still so many unknown species here on the north coast.” 

The Honourable Leon Bignell, Member of the South Australian Parliament for Mawson, voices his support of the Hope Spot. “The North Coast of Kangaroo Island is a pristine part of the ocean which needs to be preserved.” He continues, “Kangaroo Island/Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch is a fantastic organization which has successfully been unobtrusively monitoring dolphin populations since 2005. Their volunteers have been collecting vital baseline data on populations, movements and habitats off the coast of Kangaroo Island and Victor Harbor, raising awareness about the importance of protecting dolphins and their habitats.”

Very much living up to its name, the kangaroos on the island are called Kangaroo Island kangaroos.

There is estimated to be 65,000 of these fuzzy creatures, or about 14 kangaroos for every one human resident.

Unfortunately, it is estimated more than 40% of these marsupials perished in the devastating bushfires which burnt almost half of the island earlier this year, resulting in massive native habitat destruction and wildlife loss, and several endangered species severely affected.

Rebekha Sharkie, Member of the Australian House of Representatives, Division of Mayo in South Australia, says, “I hope that with the designation of Kangaroo Island as a Hope Spot, it can lead to protection to these temperate waters for marine research, ecotourism, research volunteer tourism, education and recreational pursuits.” She continues, “It would also help to garner international interest in the region and possibly deter environmentally damaging development, such as drilling in the Great Australian Bight.”

The Hope Spot Champions hope to see expansion of ecotourism and research tourism on the island to grow both the public’s awareness of the area’s beautiful biodiversity and to invite them to become active participants in its healthy future. “When you preserve the environment, it will pay you back”, explains Tony Bartram. “We must think about the future and act accordingly.”

Dive in to  read the full Ocean Story  about this Hope Spot on the Mission Blue website.

About  Kangaroo Island/Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch 

Dolphin Watch is an award-winning, data-rich, citizen-led volunteer project in partnership with Whale and Dolphin Conservation, monitoring dolphin populations in SA, on Kangaroo Island since 2005 and Victor Harbor since 2011.

Developing understandings of custodianship of these fascinating creatures and their habitats, dolphins are monitored unobtrusively, minimizing impacts and behavioral change, collecting vital baseline data to globally inform practice.

Scientists and dedicated volunteers of all ages collaborate on effective “Citizen Science” in surveys on Eco-Tourism vessels: Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures and The Big Duck Boat Tours, Victor Harbor, plus land-based monitoring, contributing a staggering number of hours over nearly 16 years. Images and video footage are collected, identifying individual dolphins by distinctive dorsal fins and body markings. Vital data is recorded on movements and habitats, creating a sustainable, longitudinal study of extraordinary international significance.

About  AusOcean 

The Australian Ocean Lab (AusOcean), is an environmental not-for-profit organisation with a difference. AusOcean’s mission is to help the oceans through the use of technology, with a goal to transform the way in which ocean data is collected and communicated.

“Healthy oceans are vital to our future. Oceans harbour beautiful wildlife, provide a bounty of food, regulate the global climate, and provide many other benefits, such as transportation and recreation. Yet, considering the fact that they cover 71% of our planet’s surface, our knowledge of the oceans and marine ecosystems is still surprisingly sparse. We need to change this.

We partner with other NPOs working in the area of marine conservation and develop and apply technology for solving ocean science and conservation challenges. Current projects are focused on solving technical problems relating to marine habitat monitoring and habitat restoration, currently with a geographical focus on southern Australia.”