Visit http://www.marinecare.org.au Issue 34 November 2014 One of the Roles of Friends Groups The norm at our ‘weedy’ beach, for much of the time There are a great deal of things Friends Groups can initiate, and here is one. After a long and arduous attempt by our members to clean up this weedy section of our beach, which is next to the main drain pipe and the South Triangle Reef, we found we could not sensibly get at the mass of small and potentially toxic plastic materials imbedded in the weeds. The job was just too big. . After the clean out [It is surprising, but research shows that one plastic bottle alone, can break down into 24 000 toxic microplastic particles over time, that become part of the food chain, as fish mistake such for plankton]. We sought approvals from PV and Council for a clean out, and this was granted. A day later, and weed is returning with each tide Of course, much weed came back the next day, but that is normal and irrelevant to the environmental outcome of the effective removal of so much toxic substances. A couple of weeks later, at our monthly Beach Patrol, we were able to make an obvious impact on the removal of new rubbish accumulations, and we would expect to be able to continue to do so. This was the third such major cleanout over the past five or six years. BEACH PATROL SUCCESS We are grateful to Bayside City Council for providing Marine Care Ricketts Point with a grant under the Annual Bayside Community Grants Program for us to expand our beach cleaning activities at the Sanctuary. Beth Jensen, co-manager of MCRP Beach Patrol, accepted the cheque for $4,500 from Bayside Mayor Laurie Evans, at the presentation night on 4 September.” Below some of the 49 members who turned out to help keep our beach clear of litter during the October working bee. A great success! Image Dave Morley Here too, our youngest beach cleaner, Hazel, who will soon turn 5, and who was an inspiration and reminder of why we do these things for our local environment The Beach Patrol’s distinctive uniform design, (yolanta), and the enthusiastic presence of so many of us, led to a number of enquiries from beachgoers as to how to also become involved. The Beach Patrol movement is spreading rapidly throughout the upper Port Phillip Bay with about 15 groups now doing this most valued work. We also had a group from the Australian Marine Conservation Society join us this time. Mick Morley’s Open Hullo It's been about a year since I discovered MCRP, so I thought it'd be fitting that I sent a quick "thank you" to everyone involved with this fantastic and unique group! Witnessing such a committed and genuine passion from you all towards the marine environment has been uplifting, inspiring and very exciting. I've been lucky enough to meet many of you already (though I regularly forget most of your names, sorry!) and I genuinely look forward to sharing even more great experiences with you all again soon - especially discovering all those fascinating marine creatures right at our door steps!!! Earlier this year, I was also lucky enough to become part of the Gould League Education Team, which has provided me with the great opportunity to help educate young students about the importance of our local marine environment, as well as the brilliance of all the life within it. So, I've gathered a couple of images for your viewing pleasure to help express my gratitude. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but I also hope to send some more exciting content in the future, so stay tuned! Enjoy ...and many thanks to you all. Cheers Mick :-) Immature Pacific Gull Common stars eating crabs Biscuit star and Common Star A dulcet eyed Globefish Announcing Flight 106 from Williamstown Page 3 Introduction to Marine Photography We had about 15 of us attend the introduction to marine photography session with Ray Lewis. It was a practical session with a variety of cameras and aids on display. Kim Wright and David Reinhard were there to answer questions regarding camera aids (optional lenses, lighting etc) and pass on their experience as well. As you can see from this issue of the MCRP Newsletter we have an emerging team of semi professional photgraphers at MCRP these days. RIGHT: Our Saturday coffee gatherings still run strongly. All members most welcome. Nairm Notes Alpheus astrinx. Image Kim Wright . This colourful shrimp was found and photographed by Peter Dedrick and Kim Wright on September 23rd in Ricketts Point Marine Park. Two shrimps were observed under a piece of wood. These animals have a one very large claw, usually the right one in the Alpheus astrinx species, which can be ratcheted open and then snapped shut with sufficient speed and ,force, to generate short-lived bubbles and a shock wave that can stun their prey. The snapping sound is considered to be a major source of underwater noise due to marine animals; hence the common name “pistol shrimp”. Clearly September/October is breeding time for them in the Sanctuary. A 60 cm cuttlefish, found at Banksia Point October 2014. Almost certainly Alphia apama from Southern Australian waters, as they are the only ones who get that big locally. Page 5 Eclectic Image Peter Dedrick Left is Vercoe’s Nudibranch, taken by Peter Dedrick at Blairgowrie. Note the detail on the exposed lungs which look much like a blue nasturtium flower. Below a classic image taken by Kim Croker showing that the Gulls also like urchin eggs. We routinely see even young gulls, dropping the urchins from height onto the reef, to break them up. This is a young Pacific Gull in the process of gaining her adult plumage. Image Kom Croker And here is a comic video from the comedian Frank Woodley about his approach to fishing, and a growing world problem. http://bit.ly/1wvtaaK Issue 34 November 2014 Page 6 Thanks for the Seagrass Benchmarking Our thanks to the 10 members who turned up to help out with the inaugural Parks Victoria Sea Grass monitoring exercise in the Sanctuary, on Wednesday the 29th October. We now have twenty GPS marked spots that will give us a baseline for any variations in the future. Sea grasses are crucial in many ways, from providing food for swans, breeding stakes for King George Whiting and many other fish and animals, through to slowing down tidal surge length of sea grass strands and their number per plant. We were most kindly visited by a and reducing foreshore loss of sand. curious female Banjo Shark, and enjoyed After an uncertain start due weather and various other minor sightings. Shannon Hurwater temperature, we wound up having a ley and John Tornatora of PV gave us a good great time. Within the 20 pre located pre briefing. quadrats, we measured sea grass, algae and sediment density, epiphytes, and the average The weather turned blissful, as you can see. Issue 34 November 2014 Page 7 This and That PV Rangers 9782 7777 Wildlife Rescue 0412 433 727 Police Sandringham 9521 9099 Water Police 9399 7500 Bayside Council 9599 4444 Fisheries (Poachers) 13 34 74 A couple of members saw a kayaker illegally fishing in the Marine Sanctuary on Saturday morning 11 October, and phoned Parks Victoria. The ranger, Reece, came within 10 minutes and was still talking to the kayaker half and hour later. Contact any of the organisations listed here to deal with any wildlife matters or illegal activities in the Sanctuary. Below a great new fossil (?) find by Fran Dedrick at Banksia Point. Adding a marker such as a coin on pen as here, is always and excellent idea. There will be a major public fossils event run early next year by Vicki Karalis. Most members will be unaware that we have, since our beginning in 2003, regularly taken local marine educational tours and made many presentations to local Schools, Rotary, U3A and Probus clubs. Above Ray Lewis with 35 senior students from the Sandringham College on 17th Oct. Bob Whiteway and Ray Lewis have no ‘heir apparents’ to carry on such valued Bayside volunteer deliverables in to the future. Fortunately the Gould League are continuing to expand their schools programme. Image Fran Dedrick Its easy to forget just how much we do at MCRP over a year. Here are Di and Beth manning an MCRP stand at the Bayside Healthy Ageing Expo, with Betty visiting. EDITORS NOTE: Marine Care MCRP Business Address PO Box 7356 Beaumaris 3193 Editor: Ray Lewis [email protected] Find out more about MCRP. You r b u sin ess t ag lin h ere . Go to our website . www.marinecare.org.au As we have many new members it is sometimes worth repeating advice, now well known to the old hands. For those of us with failing eyesight a prescription mask makes all the difference. If you follow this link to the Scuba Doctor's website, it will guide you through the process of getting one http://bit.ly/1tfOHzb https://www.facebook.com/groups/ marinefriendsnetworkvictoria is a new Facebook group that is very successful in uniting us all across the State. Have a look. Not all masks are suitable for prescription lenses and it is a good idea to actually try on the mask you plan to buy, before you have the lenses added, to make sure it fits. You can also get ‘stick on lenses’ (on line shopping) for close up work. (For example being able to see the screen of your camera underwater). A note re snorkels too. They come with different sized mouth pieces. (interchangeable for the most part) It’s a lot easier to get one that feels comfortable. And here we have an image of our good friend Dr Vicki Karalis (President of the Sandringham Foreshore Association) presenting to Haileybury School on the activities of MCRP. (30th October) If you are new to snorkeling and or marine photography don't rush in and buy stuff. Learn from our mistakes and ask others for advice first. This is a prelude for them to undertake a two week fundraiser for us… Joe put the presentation graphics together for Vicki. This was a most generous action of hers. …. Next issue likely, Christmas
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