News

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 last 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 . 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

Marine Solutions Opens Online Shop!

Marine Solutions – online shopping made easy

Marine Solutions – mooring made easy, has flicked live its new website – www.marinesolutions.com.au – complete with a shopping cart facility for convenient and secure online shopping.

The new website showcases Marine Solutions’ full range of innovative vessel protection and docking products, which has been developed in collaboration with boat owners, commercial operators and marina managers.

Catering for everything from trailerable boats up to large yachts and cruisers, Marine Solutions’ product range includes fenders and fender covers; pre-spliced ropes and rope covers; mooring compensators; dock boxes; Gullsweep bird scarers; safety gear; Ultimate Vessel Protection (UVP) packages; inflatable boats; the unique D Fender system and much more.

All products have been designed for both functionality and simplicity, sourced from quality suppliers around the globe and tested in all conditions to ensure years of enjoyable boating.

You can check out the new website on the link below! Lets go shopping!

Further information:

Marine Solutions – (03) 9670 3305 or visit: www.marinesolutions.com.au

Media enquiries:

Sandman PR – (03) 8774 1622 or visit www.sandmanpr.com.au for media releases and hi-res images

Safety Warning for Piers and Jetties

20 November 2009

Parks Victoria is urging the public not to jump or dive from piers and jetties as hotter weather draws increasing numbers of people to Australia’s bays and waterways.

“Diving from piers is highly dangerous, especially on the bays, where varying tidal and sand movements constantly change the water depths and submerged debris can pose an unexpected hazard”, said Parks Victoria Chief Ranger, Graeme Davis.

Every year a number of people are seriously injured or sometimes die as a result of injuries caused by jumping from piers.

“The safety of swimmers who continue to dive from piers despite the clear ‘no diving’ signage is of great concern to Parks Victoria”, said Mr Davis.

Parks Victoria has in place clear ‘no diving’ signs on all its piers across Port Phillip and Western Port.

Parents should be especially vigilant and ensure their children are aware that jumping off piers is not a safe way to enjoy the water.

Mr Davis continued, “The last thing anyone wants to hear is a story of a fun day by the bay resulting in a severe injury or even worse – loss of life”

Not only is the practice of jumping or diving off piers hazardous to those engaged in the activity, it also puts at risk boat operators attempting to berth and disembark passengers.

Parks Victoria wants to encourage people to think carefully about their safety before choosing a location for swimming. There are safer places than piers to enter the water to swim and enjoy the beach.

For more information about the piers and jetties around Port Phillip call Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or visit our website atwww.parkweb.vic.gov.au