More Fish Found in Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary for Great Victoria Fish Count
Friends of the Bluff and Parks Victoria have found more species of fish than previously recorded in the Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary during a Great Victorian Fish Count activity in December.
“This year we observed nineteen different fish species, the most numerous of which were the Blue Throated Wrasse, Six-spined Leatherjackets and Silver Sweep” said Parks Victoria Marine and Coasts Program Leader Mark Rodrigue.
“Seven years since Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary received its highly protected Marine Sanctuary status, more species of fish were found than in other survey undertaken to date around the State.” said Mr Rodrigue.
Participants were pleased to see a number of small rays and one excited fish counter reported a Rusty Catshark, a small harmless local species. 
The fish count utilises specially prepared underwater slates with illustrations of twenty four fish species of particular interest. Snorkelers and divers use these underwater slates to record the number of different species seen during each count at different locations along Victoria’s coast.
The count provides a snapshot of fish species living in the temperate coastal waters of Victoria and allows an estimation of the structure of fish communities around the coast at that time. This data is then compared to data collected at the same time in previous year.
“The diversity of habitats within the seventeen hectare reserve makes this a great place to observe a wide range of local marine life including fish,” Mr Rodrigue said.
Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary supports a broad range of marine habitats including extensive intertidal rock platforms, subtidal reefs many of which support kelp forests, seagrass bedsand sand.
“While the diversity was greater than that seen before overall numbers were hard to collate because of conditions on the day. The swell conditions had reduced visibility to several metres making it quite hard to see fish, especially in the areas covered by the beautiful kelp forests in which fish hide for protection” said Mr Rodrigue.
The annual Great Victorian Fish Count is a state-wide Reef Watch program conducted in conjunction with Museum Victoria.
Other fish count events will be occurring across Victoria moving forward. For more information on the Great Victorian Fish Count including event locations visit www.reefwatchvic.asn.au/GVFC.htm
For more information about Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary contact the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963 or visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au or www.barwonbluff.com.au
