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Marine Algae workshop Sunday February 4th 2001 Seaweed is important too! Seaweed may be the last thing you think about when you go diving but it plays an invaluable role in the marine ecosystem. So here's your chance to learn more! SARDI Aquatic Sciences has again generously donated the use of its facilities for the workshop. Dr Anthony Cheshire, SARDI's Chief Scientist and a Marine Botanist will be leading a team of instructors in teaching basic identification skills, their functions in the ecosystem and their physical characteristics. The workshop will also incorporate teaching the use of the LIT methods so that you will be able to put into practice your new identification skills. Bookings are essential as places are limited. Registration forms can be obtained by contacting Reef Watch. The cost for the workshop is: Dr Sue Murray-Jones Bookings are essential
SDF Beach Rally – 25th Feb 2001 Fun for all Clubs and individual divers! Talk to your local Dive Club about how you can participate in the highly competitive but extremely fun Beach Rally 2001!
Adopt a Reef - the LIT Way! In order to be able to look at changes in habitat over time, we have decided to focus a little more on the Line Intercept Transect method. We want to encourage at least some Reef Watch divers to "adopt a transect" on a few reefs. We would ask them to set up a permanent transect in a spot they know and can relocate easily (location decided on in conjunction with us), and make a commitment to monitoring the same transect at least 4x per year, in November, February, May, and August. This will allow us to look at percentage change in cover over time, and allow us to tease out seasonal effects. Using some fixed transects will augment other methods, and give us increased power and precision to detect change. Take part in the Algal Workshop and learn how you can adopt and monitor your own section of a reef using LIT. Book NOW!
Free air fill – help wanted! Join in the 2001 Marathon Dive at Port Noarlunga reef on Sunday March 18th and you will receive a free air fill for your dive. Port Noarlunga Dive and Snorkel Centre are kindly donating a free air fill to all participants, you just need to participate on the day. Cheap air cards (10 fills for $65) and gear hire will be available from the Dive Centre from 7am. If you have an early dive on the day, why not leave your tank overnight and pick it up before the dive. Remember to get your free air fill you must take part in the fish count first. If you are interested in receiving a free air fill and would like to help count the fish population at Port Noarlunga reef, then contact Reef Watch at info@reefwatch.asn.au. Diving starts at 7:30am. What is the Marathon Dive 2001? If you missed out last year, then you have another opportunity to help out in the Great Fish Count. The Marathon Dive is planned for Sunday March 18th 2001 at Port Noarlunga.. We are aiming to get 100 (25 more than last year) divers and snorkellers in the water this year to count the fish population of Port Noarlunga reef over a day. So starting thinking about what time of the day you would like to count fish and with who. Boats and lookouts are also needed, so if you have some spare time to volunteer, let us know. If you need to get your identification skills up to scratch there are plenty of fish ID training sessions to get you started, check the dates on the event calendar if you are interested. Remember the aim of the day is to establish fish population numbers and a list of species present on the reef. Surveys on reef habitat will be also completed on the day to assist in determining the relationship between fish abundance and adjacent habitats. The data will also help to determine if fish populations at Port Noarlunga reef are stable over time and if fish abundance can be used as an effective indicator of Reef Health. If you would like to help out (even for an hour) please let Reef Watch know. Diving begins at 7:30am, with 12 people entering the water every two hours. Book your preferred time NOW! No buddy required – you will be matched up on the day. Lunch provided for all participants.
Muscle in on mussels! This year Reef Watch is planning two Mega events. One is another Marathon Dive to look at fish. The other will involve bashing mussels instead, from Horseshoe Reef on 5-6th May 2001. Why? Dr Anthony Cheshire* and his group at the University of Adelaide have been doing studies of reef health and algal recruitment on Adelaide's urban reefs for many years. Indeed, Reef Watch was set up to help with this work. Their data show that some reefs are being heavily impacted by high sediment and nutrient loads from a variety of sources. The 1999 Reef Health Survey suggests that heavy sedimentation (exacerbated by dredging for sand in the area) has created conditions at Noarlunga and Horseshoe Reefs that favour the settlement of mussels, which form dense beds. These then prevent the settlement of the giant brown algae that normally dominate these reefs. Mussel cover at Noarlunga Reef increased from 0.5-2% in 1996 to 15-27% in 1999, while algal recruitment was low. We intend to trial a large scale mussel removal on Horseshoe Reef prior to the next algal recruitment season, to see if we can swing the balance back. How? We are still working out the methods, but will remove patches of mussels of different sizes, some large. We will use suction air lift equipment of some sort, working in groups. We have applied for some funding from Coast and Clean Seas - if successful, we will be able to purchase more gear. We will be working closely with University of Adelaide researchers and the Department for Environment and Heritage. Please start thinking about how you or your Club can help over the weekend, we are going to need lots of muscles! Watch this space for more details. *currently Chief Scientist at SARDI Aquatic Sciences
Hobart Splash Ball For those who like to let your hair down and party then the annual splash ball is for you. The splash ball will be held at the dockside of the Hobart under a marquee. The Splash Ball will be run under the Fleurieu Artificial Reef Society Incorporated. For more information contact your local dive shop.
HMAS Otama – A Submarine for SA? The Hobart is here but there is no rest for the SDF, they are now are exploring the options of obtaining a submarine for SA. The submarine will add not only a new dive site to SA but has great economic potential to the State. Stay tuned for more information.
Southern Diving 1 Roy terrace Christies Beach Visit Southern Diving this month and receive a 25% discount on gear hire for all Reef Watch divers. Limited availability. |
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