Fitzgerald Bay facts for kids

Fitzgerald Bay is a big bay in South Australia. You can find it between Point Lowly and Backy Point, in the upper part of the Spencer Gulf. The edges of the bay are mostly made of small, smooth stones (pebble beaches). You might also see a few grey mangrove trees growing there.

Years ago, in the 2000s, people used Fitzgerald Bay to farm a type of fish called yellowtail kingfish. But around 2011, they stopped because too many fish were dying. We don't know much about how this fish farming affected the environment back then. As of 2020, fish farming hasn't started again in Fitzgerald Bay. However, there are still special areas set aside for it, called aquaculture zones.

What's in a Name?

Fitzgerald Bay got its name from a person named John Christopher Fitzgerald. He was a politician who worked in the Parliament of South Australia. He represented an area called Port Pirie. John Fitzgerald strongly believed that the upper Spencer Gulf area would have a great future, especially because of iron ore mining.

Before 1937, people informally called the bay "Backy's Bay." Some older residents from Port Augusta say it was first named "Becky's Bay." This name came from Mr. McCarthy, whose father was the first pilot and harbormaster in Port Augusta. "Becky" was a nickname for Rebecca, which was the first name of McCarthy senior's wife.

Fish Farming in the Bay

Fish farming started in Fitzgerald Bay in the late 1990s. At first, it was a small test project for yellowtail kingfish, also known as Seriola lalandi. Over the next ten years, more and more fish were farmed.

However, between 2009 and 2011, the fish farms started removing their fish. By 2012, all fish farming in the bay had stopped completely. In 2017, a company called Clean Seas wanted to start farming fish in Fitzgerald Bay again. They hoped to grow much more fish than before.

When fish farming was active, it became the biggest source of nutrient pollution in the upper Spencer Gulf.

Amazing Cuttlefish Gatherings

The Giant Australian cuttlefish (Sepia apama) is a fascinating sea creature. These cuttlefish gather in huge groups to breed in the Upper Spencer Gulf. The most famous gathering spot is just southwest of Point Lowly, which is outside Fitzgerald Bay.

However, smaller groups of these amazing cuttlefish also gather inside Fitzgerald Bay. You can find them at the northern end, near Backy Point. They also gather at the southern end, both north and south of the Point Lowly North Marina.

Big Ideas for the Bay's Past

Fitzgerald Bay has been considered for some very important projects over the years.

Shipbuilding Plans

Between 1937 and 1939, people thought about building a naval shipbuilding yard there. This would have been a place to build ships for the navy. One problem with the site was that it didn't have enough electricity. Because of this, another town called Whyalla was chosen instead.

Nuclear Power Plant Idea

In 1952, Fitzgerald Bay was even considered as a possible location for the very first nuclear power plant in the Southern Hemisphere. Discussions about this idea continued until 1954. The plan was never officially put into action. However, during the 1950s and early 1960s, a special rock called uranium-bearing ore was mined in South Australia at Radium Hill. This ore was then processed at Port Pirie.

The Premier at the time, Thomas Playford, described Fitzgerald Bay as a great spot. He said it was "very well protected and (it) has deep water close in shore." He also noted that it would be close to power lines. He felt it had "every qualification necessary" for such a plant.