Shag Island (South Australia)

This article is about the island in South Australia. For other uses, see Shag Island.
Shag Island
Shag Island
Geography
Location Spencer Gulf
Administration
Australia

Shag Island is a low island located at the mouth of Fisherman's Bay in Spencer Gulf, South Australia. It is approximately 22 ha (54 acres) in size[1] with a peak elevation of approximately 4 metres (13 feet).[2] It is uninhabited by humans but is home to thousands of cormorants which roost and breed there. It is also an important nursery-ground for fish.[3] In April 2013, the discovery of several sick and dead cormorants near Fisherman's Bay raised public concerns for the health of the Shag Island colony.[4] The discovery coincided with significant fish and dolphin mortality events around the state, mostly concentrated in Spencer Gulf and Gulf St. Vincent.[5]

Wildlife

The following birds have been recorded at Shag Island: great cormorant, little black cormorant, pied cormorant, little pied cormorant, red-necked stint, sharp-tailed sandpiper, red-capped plover, banded stilt, bar-tailed godwit, grey plover, common greenshank and masked lapwing.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Map of Shag Island, SA Bonzle.com. Accessed 2014-01-18.
  2. ↑ Shag Island (island) Geoview.info Accessed 2014-01-18.
  3. ↑ "Port Broughton Fishing Charter" Postcards (2009-05-03). Retrieved 2014-01-18.
  4. ↑ Mooney, Mark "Bird deaths have locals puzzled" 7 News Adelaide, South Australia (2013-04-30). Retrieved 2014-01-18.
  5. ↑ "Fish & Dolphin Mortalities in South Australia March-April 2013 - Final Report" PIRSA, Government of South Australia (2013-05-31). Retrieved 2014-01-18.
  6. ↑ Explore Your Area > Shag Island Atlas of Living Australia. Accessed 2014-01-18.

Coordinates: 33°33′30″S 137°55′09″E / 33.55833°S 137.91917°E / -33.55833; 137.91917

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