Latest news with #Fleurieu Peninsula
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Builder faces prison sentence after committing illicit act to improve view: 'It was my castle'
Australia's 7News reported that a builder is facing up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to illegally destroying historic shacks on the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia. "They were on Crown land not his," said Shelly Pomtiak, one of the shack owners. Families were heartbroken after their historic holiday homes were destroyed illegally and without warning by George Lavrentiadis. The two shacks were built on the coast in 1934 and had been maintained by the Robertson family of South Australia for almost 60 years. Another shack that was owned by eight people was also destroyed. Lavrentiadis explained that Julian Johnston, a realtor from Miami, paid him $5,000 to clear the land so he could have a better view for the $2 million home he has plans to build on an adjacent plot of land. Johnston has denied any involvement and has not been charged. The owners of the shacks said that to rebuild the dwellings to current standards would cost significantly more and that what they lost was irreplaceable. In addition to having destroyed the historical homes, building a mansion on the adjacent land can have significant environmental impacts on the natural landscape. Fragile natural areas can be destroyed, which would disrupt the balance of the ecosystem. It is important for construction projects to include plans for offsetting the environmental impacts of the construction process. It seems the process of destroying the South Australian shacks wasn't thought out much at all. Lavrentiadis said that he should have checked to see if leveling the homes was against the law, but that he didn't because Johnston, whom he said hired him to do so, spoke with confidence, so he didn't question the legality of the demolition. Lavrentiadis apologized for demolishing the shacks, but that does not bring the historical homes back. "The shacks had to go because he didn't like the look of them," said Pomtiak. Barry Robertson, the owner of one shack, said that "it was much more than a shack. It was my castle." Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Ominous blood-like substance off Aussie coast after 9,000 animals die
An ominous, blood-red substance has been filmed drifting through the sea for metres on end off the South Australian coast this week, as concerns rise in the state over the ongoing toxic algae crisis that has so far been responsible for the deaths of 8,000 to 9,000 marine animals, spanning over 390 species. Footage shared on social media, attracting thousands of responses among Australians, shows a red, paint-like substance billowing through the ocean off Wirrina Cove, a locality on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Worried locals responded, questioning what had left the water such a bright red colour. "Whatever it is, I hope it doesn't make any more ocean critters sick or kill them. I worry for the whales that have been seen at Victor Harbour," a woman said. Authorities in SA continue to grapple with how best to manage the crisis, with experts saying death totals are based on reported observations and are likely underestimates. The bloom, caused by Karenia mikimotoi, has impacted a wide range of marine life, including fish, sharks, rays, invertebrates, and even iconic species like the leafy sea dragon. Yahoo News Australia questioned the SA Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) about the bright red algal bloom at Wirrina Cove. A spokesperson confirmed it is indeed another form of algae — Noctiluca scintillans. "Noctiluca scintillans is not known to have harmful impacts on marine life," they said. Noctiluca scintillans, often nicknamed "sea sparkle," is a type of single-celled marine organism known for its bioluminescence — a glow it emits when disturbed by waves or movement in the water. While beautiful at night, during the day it often appears as a red or pinkish bloom, which is why it's sometimes referred to as a "red tide." This red colour comes not from Noctiluca itself, but from the pigments of the tiny plankton it eats and stores inside its body. 'Toxic to anything with gills': algal bloom spreading Algal bloom turns coast into a 'marine graveyard' Warning to Aussie beachgoers after deadly discovery in waves Despite being non-toxic to humans and not producing traditional algal toxins, Noctiluca can still be harmful in high concentrations. Large blooms can deplete oxygen levels in the water as they die and decay, leading to fish kills or marine life stress, especially in enclosed or poorly flushed coastal areas. Additionally, it can disrupt food webs by outcompeting other plankton and altering nutrient dynamics. Noctiluca blooms are relatively common in Australian waters, especially during warm, calm conditions, and have been observed along coastlines from New South Wales to South Australia. While they attract attention for their visual spectacle, particularly during night-time blooms, their presence can often be an indicator of nutrient imbalance or environmental change in marine ecosystems. Professor Shauna Murray of the School of Life Sciences at the University of Technology, Sydney, is an expert on algal blooms. In an interview with Yahoo News, she said it's probably "too early to tell" what's causing this apparent nutrient imbalance in southern waters. "I think it's too early to say exactly what factors are driving this particular harmful algal bloom (HAB) of Karenia mikimotoi," she said. "Every species of harmful algae has highly individual conditions that it grows under, and these vary. Karenia mikimotoi is normally a temperate species, which blooms in the north of China, the north Atlantic, and other countries. "However, having said that, it could be that a one-degree increase in water temperatures over an extended time frame could be contributing to the growth of the species. Other conditions, such as currents, water nutrients, and other factors, are also contributing. HABs are almost always due to a specific combination of factors unique to the algal species." In general, Murray Said, climate change is "certainly having long-term impacts on HABs. "We are seeing HABs extend their range further south, like blooms of Noctiluca scintillans, which now occur into Tasmanian waters, but previously were only found in mainland Australia," she said. Karenia mikimotoi produce reactive oxygen species that damage gill tissues, leading to suffocation in marine animals, affecting ecosystems along approximately 150 kilometres of coastline, including areas around the Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, and Adelaide's metropolitan beaches. The situation remains critical, with ongoing monitoring and response efforts by authorities and scientists. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
