Great Victorian Fsh Count 2015

By Tilly Reynolds and Caitlin Griffith

VICTORIAN NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION The Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) helps shape the agenda for creating and managing national parks, conservation reserves and other important natural areas across land and sea in Victoria.

The VNPA works with all levels of government, the scientific community and the general community to achieve long term, best practice environmental outcomes.

The VNPA is also Victoria’s largest bushwalking club and provides a range of information, education and activity programs to encourage Victorians to get active for nature.

REEF WATCH Reef Watch is a citizen science program run by the VNPA. The program encourages divers and snorkellers to monitor marine life at their favourite dive sites. The project has been developed by the Australian Marine Conservation Society and the Marine and Coastal Community Network.

Reef Watch co-ordinates a number of marine conservation programs, including ‘Feral or in Peril’ and the Great Victorian Fish Count.

In 2012 Reef Watch won the 2012 award for Excellence In Education from Victoria’s Coastal Council.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS VNPA: Chris Smyth, Caitlin Griffith, Heath Rickard, John Sampson, Victoria McClellan (volunteer).

Parks Victoria: Mark Rodrigue, Shannon Hurley, Stephen Tuohy, David Langmead, Jessica Strang and Pete Hay, Rob Hemsworth, Chris Hayward.

Coastcare Victoria: Philip Wierzbowszki.

Museum Victoria and Redmap Victoria: Mark Norman, Dianne Bray, Julian Finn, Robin Wilson.

Ecologic: Sharon Blum-Caon.

Participating groups: Daktari Surf and Dive, Dive and Dive, Diveline, Friends of Barwon Bluff, Friends of Beware Reef, Friends of Eagle Rock, Friends of Mushroom Reef, Harbour Dive, Jawbone Marine Sanctuary Care, Lorne-Aireys Inlet Primary School, Marine Care Point Cooke, Marine Care Ricketts Point, Melbourne University Underwater Club, Monash University Underwater Club, Ocean Divers, RMIT Underwater Club, Sandringham Secondary College, Scuba Culture, Scuba Diving Federation of Victoria, Sea All Dolphin Swims, S.E.A.L Diving Services, South Gippsland Conservation Society, Victorian Sub Aqua Club, Warrnambool Sub Aqua Club.

Cover photo: Southern Blue Devil Fish at Castle Rock, by Natalie Manahan.

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GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015

CONTENTS

PROJECT PARTNERS Parks Victoria Parks Victoria’s responsibilities under the Parks Victoria Act 1998 are to manage the State’s parks, reserves, waterways and other public land including a representative system of terrestrial and marine national parks and marine sanctuaries. It is also the Local Port Manager for Port Phillip Bay, Western Port, and Port Campbell, and the Waterway Manager for the Yarra and Maribyrnong Rivers.

Parks Victoria works in close partnership with other government and non-government organisations and community groups to manage parks and reserves and encourages community participation in these areas, including in all marine protected areas.

Parks Victoria’s philosophy of Healthy Parks Healthy People promotes involvement in activities within parks.

This provides for both maintaining and improving health for individuals and the community as well as contributing to improving and better understanding the health of parks. Participation in the Great Victorian Fish Count is a great example of this and for connecting people and communities with parks.

Coastcare Victoria Coastcare Victoria is a state-wide program run by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). Coastcare Victoria facilitators work directly with these communities and connect communities with government’s coastal management system - coastal and natural resource management planners, managers of public land, local government and government programs targeting issues in coastal areas.

Regional facilitators are stationed at DELWP offices in Warrnambool, Anglesea, Heidelberg and Yarram. Each facilitator is responsible for supporting activities within a designated stretch of coastline, and works to a local work plan directed by this strategy. Regional facilitators work with groups, networks and coastal management partners, including regional coastal boards, catchment management authorities, local councils, Parks Victoria and the Victorian National Parks Association to achieve regional outcomes.

Local conservation group Friends of Eagle Rock conducting their 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count Survey. Photo: Courtesy Parks Victoria

Redmap Redmap (Range Extension Database and Mapping project) is a national ‘citizen science’ site that captures data and maps marine species that may be extending their range in Australia in response to changes in the marine environment. In Victoria, Redmap is hosted by Museum Victoria and all recorded sightings are verified by marine scientists.

Museum Victoria Museum Victoria (MV) is Australia’s largest public museum organisation. As the state museum for Victoria, MV is responsible for looking after the state collection of nearly 17 million specimens, objects, documents and photographs. MV research, in the fields of science and humanities, uses the museum’s expert staff and collections to further what we know about the social and natural history of Victoria and beyond.

SUMMARY 3

CONTENTS 1. Summary...........................................................................................................................P5 2. Introduction......................................................................................................................P6 2.1 Background................................................................................................................................................................6 2.2 Citizen Science and community participation and engagement..........................................................6 2.3 Partnerships and relationships with local communities...........................................................................6 2.4 ‘Fish on the Move’ theme.....................................................................................................................................7

3. Methodology...................................................................................................................P8 3.1 Survey Period............................................................................................................................................................8 3.2 Site selection ............................................................................................................................................................8 3.3 Survey method...................................................................................................................................................... 11 3.4 Data analysis........................................................................................................................................................... 11

4. Results ............................................................................................................................ P14 4.1 Great Victorian Fish Count summary results.............................................................................................. 14 4.2 Survey site and weather conditions ............................................................................................................. 14

5. Conclusion .................................................................................................................... P22 5.1 Common species observed.............................................................................................................................. 22 5.2 Species of conservation interest and ‘Fish on the Move’...................................................................... 22 5.3 Site information..................................................................................................................................................... 23

6. References ..................................................................................................................... P25 7. Appendix........................................................................................................................ P26 7.1 T able of the raw data in terms of the abundance of target species recorded at each of the 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count survey sites............................ 26 7.2 T able with a breakdown of each site with the habitat types and site conditions on the day of surveying....................................................................................................... 30 7.3 T able of additional marine species recorded at survey locations as recorded by participating groups......................................................................................... 34

4

GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015

CONTENTS

1.0 SUMMARY T

his was the eleventh year of the Great Victorian Fish Count and 23 registered groups took part. Approximately 350 participants were involved over the course of this year’s count and an impressive 44 different sites were surveyed along Victoria’s coastline.

Healthy levels of marine life were observed at many of the sites, particularly within Victoria’s marine national parks and sanctuaries. The most common species observed during the 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count were: • Blue-throat Wrasse.

• Dusky Morwong.

• Horse-shoe Leatherjacket.

• Magpie Perch.

• Old Wife.

• Silver Sweep.

• Sea Sweep.

• Senator Wrasse.

• Six-spined Leatherjacket.

• Victorian Scalyfin.

• Zebrafish.

It was also encouraging to note that several species of particular interest to the VNPA and the marine monitoring community were observed at a number of the sites as well: • Two juvenile Eastern Blue Gropers (a protected species) were recorded at Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary. One participant reported there were 20 juveniles observed a few days later at the same site, indicating successful breeding in the area.

• Western Blue Gropers (also a protected species) continues to

Volunteer Victoria McClellan and Rob Timmers from SEAL Diving Services at Cape Woolamai.

Photo: Tilly Reynolds

show up since its rediscovery in Victoria in 2011. This year it was recorded at Portsea Pier, Wilsons Promontory and Popes Eye in the Port Phillip Heads National Park.

•T he unique Southern Blue Devil was recorded at two survey sites in Port Phillip Bay as well as at Cape Woolamai and at Wilsons Promontory.

•A nother unique and endemic species to Victoria, the Weedy Seadragon, was observed in encouraging numbers at a number of different sites, including Flinders Pier, Portsea Pier, Warrnambool Breakwater, Merri Marine Sanctuary, Cape Woolamai and Castle Rock in Port Phillip Bay. •T he Bastard Trumpeter appears to continue being well spread out across the Victorian coastline, with sightings recorded as far west as Warrnambool and as far east as

Wilsons Promontory (the most eastern survey site in the 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count).

The 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count had the theme ‘Fish on the Move’ and participants kept a keen eye out for any species that might be of interest. A participant was able to capture a Spinycoat Anglerfish on camera in unusually shallow waters at Blairgowrie Pier. The sighting was logged with Redmap and has since been verified by marine scientists at Museum Victoria.

While not photographed, the Bastard Trumpeter was recorded at a number of the survey sites and this information has been passed on to Redmap Victoria.

We will continue to keep watch for ‘Fish on the Move’ and contribute any recordings to Redmap Victoria.

SUMMARY 5

2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 Background The southern temperate waters that surround the Australian continent are unique in that 90% of the marine life in the region is not present anywhere else on the planet.

The Great Victorian Fish Count is the largest marine citizen science event in Victoria and is now in its 11th year. Over this time hundreds of divers have recorded thousands of fish along the Victorian coast. The event is held annually with dive clubs, local friends groups, schools and other groups ‘taking a dive that counts’.

The project is a ‘snapshot’ of a sample of fish species living in the temperate coastal waters of Victoria. By counting fish during this window, the data collected allows an estimation of the structure of fish communities around the coast at that time, and then compared to future fish counts at the same time each year.

The Great Victorian Fish Count aims to help passionate people take part in an event that promotes active education, gathers valuable marine data, and gives volunteers the chance to reconnect with their local coastal environment. In turn, this creates understanding, awareness and co-operation between the public, scientists, and government agencies.

2.2 Citizen Science and community participation and engagement Citizen science is the involvement of untrained community members in scientific projects through gathering data or involvement in project design.

The Great Victorian Fish Count is the largest marine citizen science event in Victoria.

Citizen science is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to learn more together. The Great Victorian Fish Count allows scientists, marine managers, divers, snorkellers and community members to all learn more about the fish species in their local waters.

In 2015 around 350 participants were involved in collecting data on fish species across the Victorian coastline. This high intensity collection of data could not be collected by a single scientist or small team of scientists alone. Having 350 pairs of eyes recording fish species results in a major broad brush sweep of the fish species that are inhabiting our coastal waters.

2.3 Partnerships and relationships with local communities The Great Victorian Fish Count has been running for 11 years.

Over this time the project has been led by the VNPA in partnership with Museum Victoria, Parks Victoria, Coastcare Victoria and local dive operators,

6

local community groups and other participating groups. Parks Victoria has been a particularly valuable partner, coordinating the surveys in Victoria’s marine national parks and sanctuaries.

In 2015 we were pleased to also work with RedMap (Range Extension and Database Mapping project) for the first time.

All project partners bring great benefit to the project through experience, knowledge, skills and connections. Project partner benefits include: • Scientific expertise.

• Communications skills and knowledge.

• Local, regional and state based coastal and habitat knowledge.

• Local, regional and state based fish knowledge • Local community knowledge.

• Connection with local communities and networks.

• Skills, experience and qualifications in leading diving and snorkelling operations.

• Skills in managing citizen science.

• Skills and experience in running training for participants.

With all of these pooled skills, knowledge and experience, it is possible to give the Great Victorian Fish Count a wide and experienced reach across the Victorian coast. Running the project collaboratively we are all able to be more effective and all continue to grow and learn more about our coastal communities, our coasts and our local fish species.

GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 INTRODUCTION

Seal Diving Services geared up for the 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count. Photo: Rob Tinners

2.4 ‘Fish on the Move’ theme The theme for the 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count was ‘Fish on the Move’. We were interested in how changes in our marine environment, such as ocean warming due to climate change, might be affecting fish populations and their distribution.

In the last hundred years, sea surface temperatures around Australia have risen by about 0.6-0.74°C, and in south eastern Australia the increase in water temperature has been three to four times that of the global

average (Lough & Hobday, 2011).

The East Australian Current is becoming stronger. Warmer, saltier water is now found 350km further south than it was 60 years ago and in the south-west of Australia waters are also moving faster than other regions (Purcell n.d., ‘Changes in Victoria’s marine ecosystems’, para 2).

Through working with Redmap Victoria in 2015, participants were able to report any unusual sightings (such as the fish listed above) to Redmap.

As part of this theme we focused on six fish species as examples of ‘Fish on the Move’ in Victoria.

These were the Whitebarred Boxfish (which featured on our posters and t-shirts), the Bastard Trumpeter, the Spotted Grubfish, the Western Blue Groper, the Short Boarfish and the White-ear.

INTRODUCTION 7

3.0 METHODOLOGY 3.1 Survey period The Great Victorian Fish Count runs over three weekends in November and December every year. The date range of the 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count was Saturday 21 November to 6 December. Most of the surveying was conducted during this period, though some participating groups did postpone their event to later in December due to weather conditions.

There were also some preliminary Great Victorian Fish Count surveys conducted at Wilsons Promontory over the Melbourne Cup weekend. S.E.A.L Diving Services were able to conduct 8 surveys over the weekend period, showcasing their enthusiasm for future surveying to take place there. This was part of an annual dive event that is facilitated by the SCUBA Diving Federation of Victoria and involves numerous local dive clubs and operators.

Now in its eleventh year, the date range of the Great Victorian Fish Count was initially designed to coincide with the National Coastcare Week, which is held in the first week of December. While there has been some feedback that the November/December period is not ideal for some of the participating groups, it is important that the data collected remains consistent and allows for the comparison of results from previous years. Therefore the Great Victorian Fish Count is expected to continue being held in the November/December period, though the VNPA is considering expanding the date range to 4 weeks in the hope of 8

A diver from RMIT’s Underwater Club consults their ID slate at Castle Rock. Photo: Natalie Manahan

providing greater flexibility for participating groups in the future.

3.2 Site selection Surveys can take place anywhere along the Victorian coastline and participating groups are responsible for choosing the site for their Great Victorian Fish Count activity. Groups are encouraged to select a site that they are already highly familiar with and will easily be accessible in the future. Participating groups are also responsible for the safety of participants with them on the day and must ensure that the appropriate safety checks are conducted prior to their Great Victorian Fish Count activity.

A list of the sites surveyed during the 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count is as follows: Western Victoria • Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary,

near Aireys Inlet.

• “Gary’s spot”- 800m South of Middle Island.

• La Bella Wreck (boat dive site from Warrnambool).

• Lorne Pier.

• Merri Marine Sanctuary, near Warrnambool.

• Pea Soup, Port Fairy.

• Warrnambool Breakwater.

Bellarine Peninsula • Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary.

Port Phillip Bay • Capel Sound Reef.

• Castle Rock.

• Cottage by the Sea. • Hurricane Wreck.

• Jawbone Marine Sanctuary, near Williamstown.

• Light of the Age. • Mentone Reef.

• Ozone.

• Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary,

GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 METHODOLOGY

Pea Soup, Port Fairy Middle Island

Cape Woolamai

Bunurong Marine National Park

Warrnambool Breakwater

Marine National Parks Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary

La Bella Wreck

Marine Sanctuaries

Cape Paterson, Browns Bay Shore

Lorne Pier

Merri Marine Sanctuary

TASMAN SEA

SOUTHERN OCEAN

Wilsons Promontory

BASS STRAIT

Jawbone Marine Sanctuary Pt Cooke Marine Sanctuary Ricketts Pt Marine Sanctuary Mentone Reef

Ozone Shipwreck

South Channel Fort

Cottage by the Sea

Mornington Pier

Light of the Age Shipwreck Popes Eye Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary

Hurricane Wreck

Capel Sound Reef Flinders Pier

Castle Rock Portsea Pier Point Franklin Blairgowrie Yacht Sqr Pier Rye Pier

• Flinders Pier.

• Wilsons Promontory.

•P oint Franklin.

• Mornington Pier.

•P opes Eye, North.

•P opes Eye, South.

• Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary (near Flinders).

•P ortsea Pier Reef.

• Rye Pier.

The majority of sites surveyed were in Port Philip Bay; Western Victoria was also represented relatively well. It is worth noting however, that Eastern Victoria was underrepresented in the 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count.

This is partly due to poor weather conditions, which saw surveying cancelled at regularly surveyed locations in the past,

Point Cook.

•R icketts Point Marine Sanctuary.

•S outh Channel Fort East.

•S outh Channel Fort West.

Mornington Peninsula •B lairgowrie Pier.

Mushroom Reef, Marine Sanctuary

METHODOLOGY

Eastern Victoria • Cape Woolamai.

• Cape Paterson.

• Shack Bay, Bunurong Marine National Park (near Inverloch).

9

Blue devilfishes

Western Blue Devil (36cm)

Dusky Morwong (120cm)

Western Blue Groper (160cm)

Red Morwong (65cm)

Banded Morwong (70cm)

Temperate boxfishes

Morwongs

Ornate Cowfish (15cm)

Eastern Blue Groper (100cm)

Herring Cale (51cm)

Senator Wrasse (33cm)

Old wife (31cm)

Old Wife

Society

Six Spined Leatherjacket (55cm)

Weedy Seadragon (46cm)

Sweeps

Zebra Fish (54cm)

Sea Sweep (61cm)

Blackfishes

VICTORIA

Harlequin Fish (76cm)

Seadragons

Conservation

museum

Maori Wrasse (41cm)

Rock Cod

Australian

Marine

Long Snouted Boarfish (50cm)

Leatherjackets

Horseshoe Leatherjacket (64cm)

Saddled Wrasse (45cm)

Boarfishes

Copyright © Reef Watch Victoria, 2005

Bastard Trumpeter (65cm)

Weed whiting

Reef Watch Victoria PO Box 666E , Melbourne, VIC 3001 Ph 03 8341 7446 www.reefwatchvic.asn.au info@reefwatchvic.asn.au

Victorian Scalyfin (25cm)

Damselfishes

Magpie Perch (41cm)

Wrasses

Blue Throat Wrasse (50cm)

Trumpeter

Illustrations from Sea Fishes of Southern Australia by Barry Hutchins and Roger Swainston (distributed by Gary Allen Pty. Ltd., Smithfield, NSW), with permission from the authors.

Shaw’s Cowfish (25cm)

Silver Sweep (37cm)

FIGURE 1 THE GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT IDENTIFICATION SLATE

10

GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 METHODOLOGY

Conservation Society

Horseshoe Leatherjacket (64cm)

Six Spined Horseshoe Leatherjacket (64cm) Leatherjacket (55cm) Marine Conservation

such as Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary.

Australian

The ‘Roving Diving’ Technique All participants work in buddy pairs or small groups for the entire survey and use one identification slate between them. During the survey, the Roving Diver Technique (RDT) is employed, whereby participants swim freely throughout the selected site and record all the fish identified on their monitoring slate. Participants are encouraged to follow a route that does not overlap with other buddy pairs where possible and also to pause and observe for fish at ‘stations’ along the way, in case they were disturbed and had been hiding.

The Great Victorian Fish Count identification slates During the survey, fish observed are marked on the identification slates shared between buddies.

Scientists and managers have assisted Reef Watch Victoria in selecting the 25 Fish Count species that are indicated on the

METHODOLOGY

Six Spined Leatherjacket (55cm)

Australian

Marine Conservation Society

Six Spined museum VICTORIA Zebra FishLeatherjacket (54cm)(55cm)

museum Category VICTORIA museum

1-5

VICTORIA

Sea Sweep (61cm Symbol Zebra Fish (54cm)

Zebra Fish (54cm)

6-20

Zebra Fish (54cm)

Blackfishes

Each participating dive operator is supplied with a standard Great Victorian Fish Count Kit. The Kit contains fish identification training booklets, identification slates, and survey forms.

Society

Blackfishes

3.3 Survey method

Six Spined Leatherjacket (55cm)

Conservation

Blackfishes

museum

It is hoped that Eastern Victoria will be better represented in VICTORIA future Great Victorian Fish Counts and the VNPA will be working on establishing stronger networks with local communities in the area.

Marine

Society

Leatherjackets

Horseshoe Leatherjacket Australian(64cm)

Old wife (31cm)

Silver Sweep (37c

20+

FIGURE 2 THE ABUNDANCE CATAGORIES AND THEIR CORRESPONDING SYMBOLS THAT ARE USED ON THE GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT IDENTIFICATION SLATES.

identification slates (Figure 1). All of these species live in temperate reef areas along the Victorian coast.

Some of the species have a wider range than others, such as the Maori Wrasse and the Eastern and Western Blue Groper. Others have interesting life histories such as the BlueThroat Wrasse, a fish that can change sex and lives in harems.

A number of species, such as the morwongs and sweeps, are under pressure from recreational and commercial fishing. Also included is Victoria’s marine state emblem, the Common (or Weedy) Seadragon, as it is a fragile species and easily threatened by various human activities around the coast.

Groups are also encouraged to add other species observed to their results, especially those

Leatherjackets

Reef Watch Victoria PO Box 666E , Melbourne, VIC Ph 03 8341 7446 www.reefwatchvic.asn.au info@reefwatchvic.asn.au

Marine

Reef Watch Victor PO Box 666E , Melb Ph 03 8341 7446 www.reefwatchvic info@reefwatchvic.

Reef Watc PO Box 666 Ph 03 8341 www.reef info@reef

Australian

that are found to be common or unique to their chosen dive site. This may inform changes to the Great Victorian Fish Count identification slates in the future, as has been suggested by some of the participating groups.

During the survey, participants place the fish species they see into one of three abundance categories under the fish species on the identification slate (Figure 2). Each category has a corresponding symbol and these symbols are crossed out progressively as increasing numbers of that particular species is observed.

3.4 Data analysis At the conclusion of the survey, the Great Victorian Fish Count Survey Form data sheet (see Figure 3) is completed in the 11

GVFC Survey GVFC Survey Form Form

GVFC Survey GVFC Survey Form Form

Reef Watch Victoria Reef Watch Victoria PO V Box 666, •Melbourne, Ph. 03 8341 7446 www.reefwatchvic.asn.au info@reefwatchvic.asn.au POBox666E ,Melbourne, IC3001 Ph038341VIC 74463001 •www .reefwatchvic.asn.au •nfo@reefwatchvic.asn.au i

Registration Details

Dive Group (registered dive operator/friends group):

Reef Watch Victoria Reef Watch Victoria PO V Box 666, •Melbourne, Ph. 03 8341 7446 www.reefwatchvic.asn.au info@reefwatchvic.asn.au POBox666E ,Melbourne, IC3001 Ph038341VIC 74463001 •www .reefwatchvic.asn.au •nfo@reefwatchvic.asn.au i

Registration Details

Registration No.:

Dive Group (registered dive operator/friends group):

Site Details

Site Details

Site name:

Site name:

Location: Latitude

Location: Latitude

Longitude

S

S

E

If using a GPS, please use WGS 84 DATUM

Site Description

Site Description

Habitat (tick all that apply):

Habitat (tick all that apply):

Large Rocky Reef (>2m face)

Low Rocky Reef (<2m face)

Rubble

Large Rocky Reef (>2m face)

Low Rocky Reef (<2m face)

Rubble

Artificial Reef (eg. pier, wrecks)

Sand/Mud

Other

Artificial Reef (eg. pier, wrecks)

Sand/Mud

Other

Kelp (long, leathery brown algae)

Mixed algae

Seagrass

Kelp (long, leathery brown algae)

Mixed algae

Seagrass

Sponges, seasquirts & other

Other

Sponges, seasquirts & other

Other

Type of cover (tick all that apply):

Type of cover (tick all that apply):

If Other, please describe:

If Other, please describe:

Site Conditions

Site Conditions

The following are the site conditions on the day of the survey Date of Survey:

Time start:

/

DD/MM/YYYY No. of divers:

Longitude

E

If using a GPS, please use WGS 84 DATUM

/

Registration No.:

The following are the site conditions on the day of the survey Time finish:

:

24 hr time

Duration:

/

24 hr time

Max. Depth:

:

Date of Survey:

:

Visibility:

m

DD/MM/YYYY No. of divers:

Water Temp.:

m

Time start:

/

Tide: High

Low

Tidal stream: Flood

Ebb

Swell height: 0m

Slack

24 hr time

Duration:

°C

hours : mins

Time finish:

:

Max. Depth:

:

:

24 hr time Visibility:

m

Water Temp.:

m

°C

hours : mins Tide: 0.5m Current: Strong

1m

1.5m

Weak

Nil

2m

Page 1

High

Low

Tidal stream: Flood

Ebb

Swell height: 0m

Slack

0.5m Current: Strong

1m

1.5m

Weak

Nil

2m

Page 1

FIGURE 3 THE GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT SURVEY FORM

company of all the participating buddy pairs and groups.

The Survey Form includes information regarding the survey site location, weather conditions, time spent underwater and visibility.

the group might like to add. An abundance category is marked for each of the species observed by the group, with the category being based on the average results from all the participating buddy pairs.

The Form is filled out immediately after the dive, and involves consultation with all of the participants in order to ensure a good representation of the average result. The names of the 25 target species are also listed on the form and there are extra spaces for any species

The Great Victorian Fish Count Survey Form is returned to the VNPA on behalf of the participating group and results have been entered into a data spreadsheet to allow for easy comparison of the different survey sites.

12

GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 METHODOLOGY

Friends of Barwon Bluff and Parks Victoria at the Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary after completing their Great Victorian Fish Count survey.

Photo: Parks Victoria

METHODOLOGY

13

4.0 RESULTS 4.1 Great Victorian Fish Count summary results The main results from each of the surveys conducted over the period of the 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count are summarised in Figure 4 and Table 1. While some groups ended up surveying the same area, none were conducted at the place on the same day and there were 44 different sites surveyed in total. It should be noted that the groups Friends of Beware Reef and S.E.A.L Diving Services were instrumental in contributing to the impressive number of sites that were surveyed this year.

Figure 4 represents the abundances recorded for each of the 25 target species. The Blue column represents the number of surveys in which the target species was recorded at in terms of the abundance category of 1 – 5. The Red column represents the number of surveys in which the species was recorded at in terms of the abundance category of 6 – 20. The Green column represents the number of surveys in which the species was recorded at in terms of the abundance category of 20 or more. It is clear that the target species listed that have the highest green and red columns are generally the most abundant and were observed at the majority of survey sites.

Table 1 presents the most common fish species recorded at the associated survey site and also notes other species observed that may be of 14

A Common (or Weedy) Seadragon beneath Flinders Pier. Photo: Carol Milligan

interest. The raw data from each survey site can be found in the Appendix, where the abundance of each of the 25 target species is given for each of the survey sites. In the Appendix there is also a breakdown of the weather conditions and specific habitat types recorded for each of the sites on the day that they were surveyed.

4.2 Survey site and weather conditions There were 44 different sites surveyed along Victoria’s coastline over the course of the 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count, enabling a wide range of different marine habitats to be included.

along the Mornington Peninsula, as well as a number of shipwrecks including the Hurricane, Ozone and Light of the Age wrecks in Port Phillip Bay and La Bella Wreck in Western Victoria.

It was a windy start to the summer in 2015 and weather conditions were not ideal on some of the weekends.

A number of groups had to postpone their Great Victorian Fish Count activity and often had to conduct their survey in low visibility conditions. The LorneAireys Inlet Primary School in particular must be commended for their survey efforts, getting in the water despite 1m visibility and a decent swell.

Different habitat types surveyed include rocky reefs, sponge gardens, seagrass meadows, kelp forests and sandy bottoms.

Artificial reefs also featured heavily with a number of piers being surveyed, particularly

GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 RESULTS

Leatherjackets at Hurricane Wreck, surveying by Victorian Sub Aqua Group. Photo: Peter Beaumont

Number of sites recorded at in this abundance

2015 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT TARGET SPECIES ABUNDANCE

1-5 instances

6-20 instances

> 20 instances

20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

t t r r e e e e il h h h p p g g g le y) er sh sh ife fish fin te ss ss ss ss ope rc ke ke ev ee ee fis fis Fi on on on Ca ed on ly r op W afi ra ra ra ra pe ac ac e D w w w w r r Pe e a a r w w w n j j g i S S r r r d c o o r r g o b G W rW S ie o o o C C a iW eG tW um rrin lu e Ol d B qu d er r W ra he he Ze â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s M M M or Blu Tr gp te Se lu to le lv le an e oa at at rn B (o ead e i i r a a y w a r d d a B d t r e e d H S a a e n n L L d o M M sk e Re on S H ar rn rn ou -th e d Sh ct Or Se nd Sa th st m te te Du sn ue Vi ho ne ou Ba m Ba as es gBl o pi es S E n s s W C r xLo Si Ho

FIGURE 4. HOW OFTEN EACH OF THE 25 TARGET SPECIES WERE OBSERVED IN TERMS OF THE THREE ABUNDANCE CATEGORIES ON THE SURVEY FORM.

RESULTS

15

TABLE 1. 2015 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT SUMMARY RESULTS IN TERMS OF MOST COMMON AND NOTABLE FISH SPECIES RECORDED Survey site

Group

Date

No. fish species

Most common fish species observed

Interesting fish observed/also of note

MORNINGTON PENINSULA Rye Pier

Dive and Dive

6/12/2015

13

Magpie Perch, Blue-throat Wrasse, Bastard Trumpeter, Leatherjackets, Senator Wrasse

Ornate Cowfish

Rye Pier

Scuba Culture

21/11/2015

4

Blue-throat Wrasse, Sea Sweep

Rye Pier

Scuba Culture

28/11/2015

7

Blue-throat Wrasse, Bastard Trumpeter, Horse- Juvenile Victorian Scalyfin and shoe Leatherjacket, Six-spined Leatherjacket Sea Sweep observed

Rye Pier

Scuba Culture

5/12/2015

9

Blue-throat Wrasse, Horseshoe Leatherjacket, Six-spined Leatherjacket, Sea Sweep

Bastard Trumpeter

Blairgowrie Pier

Diveline

28/11/2015

16

Globe Fish, Sea Sweep, Six-spined Leatherjacket, Saddled Wrasse

Dumpling squid, sand octopus, snake eel, Big-bellied Seahorse

Blairgowrie Pier

Ocean Divers

28/11/2015

5

Trevally, Globefish

Spinycoat Anglerfish

Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary

Sandringham College

10/12/2015

15

Toad Fish, Snapper, Sea Sweep

Banjo Shark, juvenile Southern Goatfish, Senator Wrasse

Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary

Marine Care Ricketts Point / Parks Victoria

27/11/2015

5

Zebrafish, Dusky Morwong

Horseshoe Leatherjacket

Flinders Pier

Melbourne University Underwater Club

28/11/2015

13

Six-spined Leatherjacket, Blue-throat Wrasse Weedy Seadragon

Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary (near Flinders)

Friends of Mushroom Reef/ Parks Victoria

5/12/2015

22

Saddled Wrasse, Blue-throat Wrasse, Whiting, Toadfish

Juvenile Eastern Gropers observed, Eagle Ray, Bastard Trumpeter

Mornington Pier

Harbour Dive

5/12/2015

9

Silver Sweep, Old Wife, Blue-throat Wrasse, Zebrafish

Senator Wrasse, Leatherjackets

Mornington Pier

Monash Underwater Club (MONUC/MAASC)

29/11/2015

15

Old Wife, Zebrafish, Long-snouted Boarfish

Common Octopus

Friends of Barwon Bluff/Parks Victoria

5/12/2015

11

Australian Salmon, Blue-throat Wrasse

New sightings reported for Barwon Bluff MS included Eagle Rays and Shawâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cowfish

Popes Eye, North side

Friends of Beware Reef

4/12/2015

10

Six-Spined Leatherjacket, Victorian Scalyfin, Sea Sweep, Blue-throat Wrasse

Shaw's Cowfish

Popes Eye, South side

Friends of Beware Reef

4/12/2015

13

Magpie Perch, Six-spined Leatherjacket, Victorian Scalyfin, Zebrafish, Sea Sweep, Blue-throat Wrasse

Western Blue Groper, Ornate Cowfish, Shaw's Cowfish

South Channel Fort East Friends of Beware Reef

3/12/2015

12

Victorian Scalyfin, Sea Sweep, Blue-throat Wrasse

Shaw's Cowfish

South Channel Fort West

Friends of Beware Reef

3/12/2015

9

Victorian Scalyfin, Sea Sweep, Blue-throat Wrasse, Senator Wrasse

Shaw's Cowfish

Ozone Shipwreck

Friends of Beware Reef

1/12/2015

5

Blue-throat Wrasse

Senator Wrasse

Light of the Age Wreck

Friends of Beware Reef

30/11/2015

7

Victorian Scalyfin, Blue-throat Wrasse

Senator Wrasse

Cottage by the Sea

Friends of Beware Reef

30/11/2015

9

Blue-throat Wrasse, Victorian Scalyfin, Magpie Perch

Southern Blue Devil (four recorded)

Point Franklin

Friends of Beware Reef

2/12/2015

6

Blue-throat Wrasse, Senator Wrasse

Six-spined and Horseshoe Leatherjacket

Portsea Pier Reef

Friends of Beware Reef

2/12/2015

7

Blue-throat Wrasse, Senator Wrasse, Victorian Scalyfin

Common (or Weedy) Seadragon, Western Blue Groper

Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary

Marine Care Point Cooke/Parks Victoria

5/12/2015

10

Fiddler Ray, Southern Hulafish

Eagle Rays, one possibly pregnant

BELLARINE PENINSULA Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary PORT PHILLIP BAY

16

GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 RESULTS

TABLE 1. 2015 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT SUMMARY RESULTS IN TERMS OF MOST COMMON AND NOTABLE FISH SPECIES RECORDED Survey site

Group

Date

No. fish species

Most common fish species observed

Interesting fish observed/also of note

PORT PHILLIP BAY Castle Rock

RMIT Underwater Club

5/12/2015

17

Six-spined Leatherjacket, Victorian Scalyfin, Zebrafish, Blue-throat Wrasse, Senator Wrasse

Southern Blue Devil, Common (or Weedy) Seadragon

Capel Sound Reef

Victorian Sub Aqua Club

6/12/2015

8

Victorian Scalyfin, Blue-throat Wrasse

Cuttlefish

Hurricane Wreck-Survey 1

Victorian Sub Aqua Club

6/12/2015

21

Dusky Morwong, Banded Morwong, Magpie Pot Belly Seahorse, Bastard Perch, Horseshoe Leatherjacket, Zebrafish, Trumpeter Senator Wrasse, Maori Wrasse

Hurricane Wreck-Survey 2

Victorian Sub Aqua Club

6/12/2015

23

Horseshoe Leatherjacket, Six-Spined Leatherjacket, Longfin Pike, Snapper, Yellowtail Scad

Brown Striped Leatherjacket, Yellow Striped Leatherjacket, Mosaic Leatherjacket, Black Banded Seaperch

Hurricane Wreck-Survey 3

Victorian Sub Aqua Club

6/12/2015

18

Six-Spined Leatherjacket, Victorian Scalyfin, Goatfish

Cuttlefish, Ornate Cowfish, Shaw's Cowfish

Reef off Mentone

Victorian Sub Aqua Club

6/12/2015

7

Old Wife

Dusky Morwong, Horseshoe Leatherjacket

Jawbone Marine Sanctuary

Jawbone Marine Sanctuary Care/ Parks Victoria

29/11/2015

14

Fiddler Ray, Toadfish

Pigmy Leatherjacket, Whiting, Pipefish

Shack Bay, Bunurong Marine National Park

South Gippsland Conservation Society

5/12/2015

21

Zebrafish, Sea Sweep, Blue-throat Wrasse

Bastard Trumpeter, Eastern Blue Groper, Port Jackson Sharks

Wilsons Prom Dannevig N/W

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

31/10/2015

11

Senator Wrasse, Maori Wrasse

Western Blue Groper

Wilsons Prom - Tongue Point

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

31/10/2015

15

Magpie Perch, Six-spined Leatherjacket, Zebrafish, Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep, Senator Wrasse

Southern Blue Devil, school of Red Morwong

Wilsons Prom - Bum Rock

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

31/10/2015

16

Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep

Southern Blue Devil, Bastard Trumpeter

Wilsons Prom - Norman S.E.A.L. Diving Point Services

31/10/2015

11

Herring Cale, Six-Spine Leatherjacket, Zebrafish, Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep, Senator Wrasse

Southern Blue Devil, Bastard Trumpeter

Wilsons Prom - Pillar Point

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

31/10/2015

13

Victorian Scalyfin, Old Wife

Ornate Cowfish, Shaw’s Cowfish

Wilsons Prom - North of Pillar Point

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

31/10/2015

11

Magpie Perch, Senator Wrasse, Maori Wrasse

Western Blue Groper

Wilson Prom - Great Glennie

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

1/11/2015

13

Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep, Maori Wrasse

Velvet Fish

Wilsons Prom – Ramsbotham

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

1/11/2015

16

Zebrafish, Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep, Saddled Wrasse

Bastard Trumpeter

Cape Paterson - Browns Bay Shore

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

14/11/2015

13

Zebrafish, Old Wife

Ornate Cowfish, Shaw’s Cowfish

Cape Woolamai - 3 Sisters

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

15/11/2015

14

Six-Spined Leatherjacket, Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep, Saddled Wrasse

Southern Blue Devil Fish, Bastard Trumpeter

Cape Woolamai - SE Point

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

15/11/2015

13

Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep, Saddled Wrasse

Bastard Trumpeter

Cape Woolamai - Teeth

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

28/11/2015

14

Six-Spined Leatherjacket, Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep, Saddled Wrasse

Common (or Weedy) Seadragon

Cape Woolamai Sponge gardens

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

28/11/2015

15

Horseshoe Leatherjacket, Six-Spined Leatherjacket, Zebrafish, Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep

Common (or Weedy) Seadragon

Cape Woolamai Middle Point

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

6/12/2015

12

Silver Sweep, Blue-throat Wrasse

Bluelined Leatherjacket, Rock Lobsters

EAST VICTORIA

RESULTS

17

TABLE 1. 2015 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT SUMMARY RESULTS IN TERMS OF MOST COMMON AND NOTABLE FISH SPECIES RECORDED Survey site

Group

Date

No. fish species

Most common fish species observed

Interesting fish observed/also of note

WEST VICTORIA Pea Soup, Port Fairy

Daktari Surf and Dive

5/12/2015

16

Magpie Perch, Six-spined Leatherjacket, Zebrafish, Old Wife, Blue-throat Wrasse

Bastard Trumpeter, Ornate Cowfish

Warrnambool Breakwater

Daktari Surf and Dive

6/12/2015

25

Magpie Perch, Zebrafish, Blue-throat Wrasse, Saddled Wrasse, Weed Ash, Yellowtail, Abalone

Bastard Trumpeter, Common (or Weedy) Seadragon, Bull Ray, Eagle Ray, Wobbegong, Port Jackson Shark, Cuttle

Merri Marine Sanctuary, Daktari Surf and near Warrnambool Dive

6/12/2015

18

Dusky Morwong, Banded Morwong, Magpie Common (or Weedy) Seadragon, Perch, Bastard Trumpeter, Zebrafish, Old Ornate Cowfish, Shaw's Cowfish Wife, Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep, Blue-throat Wrasse, Saddled Wrasse

Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary

Friends of Eagle Rock/Parks Victoria

22/11/2015

8

Magpie Perch, Yellow-striped Leatherjacket

Senator Wrasse

Lorne Pier

Lorne-Aireys Inlet p-12 School/Ecologic

7/12/2015

6

Horseshoe Leatherjacket

Shaw's Cowfish, Long-snouted Boarfish

La Bella Wreck (boat dive site from Warrnambool)

Warrnambool Sub Aqua Club

13/12/2015

5

Horseshoe Leatherjacket, Sea Sweep, Bluethroat Wrasse, Saddled Wrasse, Senator Wrasse

800m South of Middle Island ("Gary's spot")

Warrnambool Sub Aqua Club

13/12/2015

11

Bullseye fish, Magpie Perch, Zebrafish, Old Wife, Rock Lobsters

18

GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 RESULTS

RESULTS

19

GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015

20

GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 RESULTS

Great Victorian Fish Count participants under the supervision of Parks Victoria at Jawbone Marine Sanctuary and Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary. Photos: Phillip Wierzbowski, Coastcare Victoria

RESULTS

21

5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 Common species observed Healthy levels of marine life were still observed at many of the sites, particularly within Victoria’s marine national parks and sanctuaries. This is despite the less than ideal weather conditions.

The most common species observed during the 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count were: • Blue-throat Wrasse.

• Dusky Morwong.

• Horse-shoe Leatherjacket.

• Magpie Perch.

• Old Wife.

• Sea Sweep.

• Silver Sweep.

• Senator Wrasse.

• Six-spined Leatherjacket.

• Victorian Scalyfin.

• Zebrafish.

In line with previous years, the Blue-throat Wrasse continues to appear to be the most widely distributed and commonly sighted species.

5.2 Species of conservation interest and ‘Fish on the Move’ There were also a number of other species recorded that are of particular interest to Reef Watch Victoria and the VNPA. Highlights of the 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count were as follows: Blue Groper Two juvenile Eastern Blue Gropers (fully protected in 22

A couple of Southern Blue Devil Fish at Castle Rock, Port Phillip Bay. Photo: Natalie Manahan, RMIT Underwater Club.

Victorian waters) were observed at Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary by the Friends of Mushroom Reef. We also received reports of there being about 20 juveniles observed at the same site a few days later indicating successful breeding in the area. It was encouraging to note as well that the Eastern Blue Groper was recorded at the Bunurong Marine National Park as in previous years.

It was also positive that the Western Blue Groper (also a protected species) continues to be recorded at numerous sites since its rediscovery in Victoria during the 2011 Great Victorian Fish Count at Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary. This year 3 individuals were recorded at the south side of Popes Eye, 2 were recorded at Portsea Pier and the fish was also observed at a couple of the sites surveyed at Wilsons Promontory. Unusually the Western Blue Groper was not

recorded at Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary this year, however this is probably because participants surveyed the Barwon River side where they are less common and where there were poor visibility conditions on the day.

Southern Blue Devil Fish Four individual Southern Blue Devil Fish were recorded at the Cottage by the Sea near Queenscliff. They were also observed at Cape Woolamai, Castle Rock in Port Phillip Bay and several of the sites surveyed at Wilsons Promontory. This intriguing fish is of interest as little is known about the species, except that they are site-attached (tend to make specific rocky sites their home). This makes them particularly vulnerable to any changes in their immediate surroundings, and therefore is it important to note their distribution.

GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 CONCLUSION

Common (or Weedy) Seadragon Another unique and endemic species to Victoria, the Common (or Weedy) Seadragon, was observed in encouraging numbers at a number of different sites. Always a hotspot for Common (or Weedy) Seadragon sightings, up to 20 individuals were recorded at Flinders Pier and surveys at Portsea Pier and the Warrnambool Breakwater also indicated the abundance category of 6-20 individuals.

An abundance of 1-5 was also recorded at Merri Marine Sanctuary, Cape Woolamai and the dive site Castle Rock, in Port Phillip Bay. Bastard Trumpeter The Bastard Trumpeter appears to continue being well spread out across the Victorian coastline, with sightings recorded as far west as Warrnambool and as far east as Wilsons Promontory (the most eastern survey site in the 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count). Historically this species was uncommon west of Wilsons Promontory, but in recent Great Victorian Fish Counts it has been recorded right along Victoria’s coast.

Species not on ID slates A number of other species were recorded that do not appear on the official identification slates, particularly at Point Cooke Marine National Park, Jawbone Marine Sanctuary and Mushroom Reef Marine National Park. Eagle rays, stingarees, spotted rays and fiddler rays were observed in healthy numbers within these marine protected areas.

CONCLUSION

A Spinycoat Anglerfish (previously known as the Long-spined Anglerfish) spotted at Blairgowrie Pier when Ocean Divers conducted their fish count survey. Photo: Charmaine Alford

It was also encouraging to note that large schools of fish species targeted by anglers were observed during the 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count, in particular Australian Salmon, King George Whiting, Sand Whiting, Weed Whiting, Snapper and Trevally.

Fish on the Move Participants kept a keen eye out for ‘Fish on the Move’ as part of our 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count theme. The new partnership with Redmap Victoria has already proven to be worthwhile, with a participant having captured an unusual species on camera at Blairgowrie Pier while surveying with local dive operator Ocean Divers. The fish was a Spinycoat Anglerfish and although they’ve been recorded from eastern Victoria to Streaky Bay, South Australia, they’re often found in deeper waters. The sighting was logged with Redmap and has since been

verified by marine scientists at Museum Victoria, who had seen the species in Port Phillip Bay on only one other occasion in their career.

While not caught on camera, the Bastard Trumpeter was also recorded at a number of the survey sites along the Victorian coastline and this information has been passed on to Redmap Victoria.

We will continue to keep watch for ‘Fish on the Move’ and encourage any sightings to be logged with Redmap.

5.3 Site information Aside from weather conditions, another factor that may have affected the marine life observed during the 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count is recent pier repair work at a couple of the survey locations.

23

One lucky diver at the Capel Sound Reef (offshore from Rosebud), captured some fantastic pictures of a highly inquisitive Giant Cuttle who was more than happy to be photographed. Photo: Peter Beaumont, Victorian Sub Aqua Club

Mornington Pier Mornington Pier had reopened after a number of years of reconstruction and it was encouraging to note that marine life seems to be returning to the area.

Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron The Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron has also been undergoing recent repair work, including the addition of a new matting material placed under the Blairgowrie pier, and this activity may be disturbing some of the marine life there. Local

24 24

dive operator Ocean Divers commented that they observed fewer fish there than usual, but that there were still good levels of other marine life such as seahorses, nudibranchs, seastars and stingrays.

Popes Eye

all observed in high numbers. On the north side, approximately 140 Blue-throat Wrasse were recorded as well as over 100 Sea Sweep and 45 Six-Spined Leatherjackets.

The south side recorded over 75 Victorian Scalyfin and over 40 Zebrafish.

Popes Eye, which is the oldest section of the Port Phillip Heads National Park, continues to be a prime example of the value and success of Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s marine protected areas. Magpie Perch, Leatherjackets, Victorian Scalyfin, Zebrafish, Sea Sweep, Blue-throat Wrasse and Senator Wrasse were

GREAT CAUGHT VICTORIAN ON CAMERA FISHâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; COUNT A Community 2015 CONCLUSION Monitoring Project in the Wimmera Region REFERENCES

6.0 REFERENCES Lough JM, & Hobday AJ 2011, ‘Observed climate change in Australian marine and freshwater environments’, Marine and Freshwater Research, vol. 62, no. 9, pp. 984-999 Purcell, L n.d., Changes in Victoria’s marine ecosystems, Redmap Australia, viewed 1 February 2016, http://www.redmap. org.au/article/changes-in-victoriasmarine-ecosystems/

REFERENCES APPENDIX

25

7.0 APPENDIX

LOCATION (SURVEY BY)

7. 1 TABLE 2. A BREAKDOWN OF THE RAW DATA IN TERMS OF THE ABUNDANCE OF TARGET SPECIES RECORDED AT EACH OF THE 2015 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT SURVEY SITES. MORNINGTON PENINSULA Rye Pier (Dive and Dive)

1-5

>20

6-20

6-20

6-20

6-20

6-20

6-20

1-5

Rye Pier, first survey (Scuba Culture) Rye Pier, second survey (Scuba Culture) Rye Pier, third survey (Scuba Culture) Blairgowrie Pier (Diveline)

1-5 1-5

1-5

1-5

6-20

6-20

1-5

6-20

1-5

Blairgowrie Pier (Ocean Divers) Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary (Marine Care Ricketts Point)

6-20

1-5

1-5

Ricketts Point 'Yacht Club end' (Sandringham College Year 7s)

1-5

1-5

1-5

Flinders Pier (Melb Uni Underwater Club 1-5 Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary, near Flinders (Friends of Mushroom Reef)

1-5

6-20

Mornington Pier (Harbour Dive)

1-5

1-5

1-5

1-5

6-20

1-5

Mornington Pier (MONUC-MASC)

1-5

1-5 1-5 6-20

1-5

1-5 1-5

6-20

6-20

6-20

6-20

1-5

1-5

1-5

6-20

1-5

Popes Eye, North side (Friends of Beware Reef)

6-20

1-5

>20

1-5

Popes Eye, South side (Friends of Beware Reef)

>20

6-20

>20

South Channel Fort East (Friends of Beware Reef)

6-20

1-5

1-5

1-5

South Channel Fort West (Friends of Beware Reef)

1-5

6-20

1-5

1-5

Ozone Wreck (Friends of Beware Reef)

1-5

Light of the Age (Friends of Beware Reef)

6-20

BELLARINE PENINSULA Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary (Friends of Barwon Bluff/Parks Vic) PORT PHILLIP BAY

Cottage by the Sea (Friends of Beware Reef)

1-5

6-20

6-20 1-5

1-5

Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary, Point Cook (Marine Care Point Cooke)

1-5

Castle Rock (RMIT Underwater Club)

1-5

Capel Sound Reef (VSAG)

1-5 1-5

Hurricane Wreck - survey 1 (VSAG)

>20

Hurricane Wreck - survey 2 (VSAG) Hurricane Wreck - survey 3 (VSAG)

>20

>20

1-5

1-5

Point Franklin (Friends of Beware Reef) Portsea Pier Reef (Friends of Beware Reef)

1-5

6-20

6-20

6-20

1-5

1-5

1-5

6-20

1-5

1-5

1-5

1-5

1-5

1-5

1-5

>20

6-20

6-20

>20

>20

1-5

1-5

1-5

1-5

1-5

1-5

6-20

Reef off Mentone (VSAG)

1-5

1-5

1-5

Jawbone Marine Sanctuary (Jawbone Marine Sanctuary Care)

1-5

1-5

6-20

il h h g g g le er et et ch ev fis fis on on on et ck Ca er ck D p a w w a P w w w j j g r ie or or or Co Co er ue um rin he â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s M M M Bl th Tr gp te er at a a y w a d d n e d e H r a e L L M sk rn Re ar he Sh e d O nd st Du ut ne ho Ba i o Ba s S sp se xor Si H

26

GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 APPENDIX

1-5

1-5

1-5

1-5

1-5 6-20

6-20

>20

1-5

1-5

1-5

>20

1-5

1-5

6-20

1-5

>20

1-5

>20

6-20

>20 1-5

1-5 6-20

1-5 >20 1-5

1-5

1-5

1-5 1-5

1-5

1-5

1-5

6-20

6-20

>20

>20

1-5

1-5

>20 >20

1-5

1-5

1-5

1-5

>20

>20

6-20

6-20 1-5 1-5

6-20

6-20

6-20

>20

6-20

6-20

>20

>20

6-20

>20

>20

6-20

>20

>20

>20

>20

6-20

1-5

>20

6-20

>20

>20

>20

1-5

6-20

>20

1-5

>20

1-5

6-20

>20

>20

6-20

1-5

1-5 6-20

1-5

6-20

>20

1-5

6-20

1-5

1-5

>20

6-20

1-5 6-20

1-5

1-5

6-20

1-5 6-20

>20

6-20

1-5

1-5

1-5

1-5 >20

1-5

1-5

6-20

1-5

1-5

1-5

1-5

1-5

>20

1-5

6-20

1-5

6-20

6-20

6-20

1-5

6-20

6-20

6-20

6-20

1-5

1-5

1-5

1-5

6-20

1-5

1-5 >20 6-20

>20

6-20 1-5

1-5

n ia or t c Vi

n yfi al c S

h fis ra b Ze

APPENDIX

ld O

ife W

ed ut o n -s ng o L

h fis ar o B

a Se

p ee Sw

p sh y) er se se se se er Fi ee as as as as ed on op op r r r r w n r e r i S G W W W W G ag qu e e d r Wadr er ri at e or u e u l o o l t li v l l o ( e a r B B ar S na dd M n th H on S rn Se Sa er ee m t t u s m es Bl Ea W Co

27

LOCATION (SURVEY BY)

EAST VICTORIA Shack Bay, Bunurong Marine National Park, near Inverloch (SGCS)

1-5

6-20

Wilsons Prom - Dannevig N/W (S.E.A.L Diving Services)

6-20

Wilsons Prom - Tongue Point (S.E.A.L Diving Services)

6-20

6-20

Wilsons Prom - Bum Rock (S.E.A.L Diving Services)

6-20

1-5

1-5

6-20

6-20

6-20

1-5

>20

6-20

6-20

Wilsons Prom - Norman Point (S.E.A.L Diving Services) Wilsons Prom - Pillar Point (S.E.A.L Diving Services)

1-5

1-5

1-5

1-5

6-20

>20

1-5

6-20

1-5

>20 6-20 >20

6-20

6-20

Wilson Prom - Great Glennie (S.E.A.L Diving Services)

1-5

6-20

1-5

6-20

Cape Paterson - Browns Bay Shore (S.E.A.L Diving Services)

6-20

1-5

Cape Woolamai - 3 Sisters (S.E.A.L Diving Services)

6-20

Cape Woolamai - SE Point (S.E.A.L Diving Services)

6-20

6-20

6-20

1-5 1-5

>20

6-20

1-5

6-20

6-20

1-5

1-5

1-5

1-5

Wilsons Prom - Landing North of Pillar Point (S.E.A.L Diving Services)

Wilsons Prom - Ramsbotham (S.E.A.L Diving Services)

1-5

6-20

1-5

6-20

1-5

6-20

1-5

6-20

6-20

>20

6-20

1-5

6-20

1-5

6-20

1-5 1-5 1-5

Cape Woolamai - Teeth (S.E.A.L Diving Services)

1-5

6-20

6-20

6-20

>20

Cape Woolamai - 'Sponge Gardens' (S.E.A.L Diving Services)

1-5

6-20

6-20

>20

>20

Cape Woolamai - Middle Point (S.E.A.L Diving Services)

1-5

6-20

1-5

6-20

1-5

6-20

1-5

1-5

1-5

1-5

WEST VICTORIA Pea Soup, Port Fairy (Daktari Surf and Dive)

1-5

1-5

>20

1-5

6-20

Warrnambool Breakwater (Daktari Surf and Dive)

1-5

1-5

6-20

1-5

1-5

Merri Marine Sanctuary, near Warrnambool (Daktari Surf and Dive)

>20

>20

>20

>20

6-20

Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary, near Aireys Inlet (Friend of Eagle Rock) Lorne Pier (Lorne-Aireys Inlet P-12, grade 6)

1-5

1-5

1-5 1-5

6-20

La Bella Wreck, near Warrnambool (Warrnambool Sub Aqua Club) 800m South of Middle Island, "Gary's spot" (Warrnambool Sub Aqua Club)

6-20

1-5

1-5

1-5 6-20

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28

GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 APPENDIX

6-20

6-20

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1-5 6-20

>20

6-20

6-20

>20

>20

1-5

6-20

6-20

1-5

>20

>20

6-20

6-20

>20

>20

>20

1-5

6-20

6-20

6-20

6-20

6-20

6-20

1-5

6-20

>20

>20

>20

1-5

6-20

>20

>20

6-20

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6-20

6-20

6-20

6-20

6-20

1-5

6-20

1-5

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>20

>20

6-20

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1-5 >20

>20

6-20

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1-5

1-5

1-5

6-20

1-5

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6-20

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1-5

6-20

1-5

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>20

6-20

>20

6-20

1-5

6-20

1-5

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>20

6-20

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1-5

1-5

1-5

>20

>20

6-20

1-5

1-5

6-20

1-5

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>20

>20

6-20

6-20

6-20

1-5

6-20

1-5

1-5

>20

6-20

1-5

>20

>20

>20

>20

6-20

1-5

1-5

1-5

1-5

1-5

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6-20

1-5

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6-20

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APPENDIX

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>20

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1-5

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29

7.2 T ABLE 3. A BREAKDOWN OF EACH SITE WITH THE HABITAT TYPES AND SITE CONDITIONS ON THE DAY OF SURVEYING. Survey Site

GPS Location

Group

Date undertaken

Site conditions

Habitat type

Participants

Snorkel/ Dive

MORNINGTON PENINSULA Rye Pier

-38.3687671S 144.8223983E

Dive and Dive

6/12/2015

19°C - High Tide - 0 m Swell - Nil Kelp - Sponges, Seasquirts, 17 Current - Max. Depth 8m - Visibility etc - Mixed Algae - Sea10m grass - Artificial Reef

Dive

Rye Pier

-38.3687671S 144.8223983E

Scuba Culture

21/11/2015

18°C - High Tide - 0 m Swell - Weak Sponges, Seasquirts etc Current - Slack Tidal Stream - Max. - Mixed Algae - Artificial Depth 4.7m - Visibility 8m Reef - Low Rocky Reef Rubble - Sand/Mud

8

Dive

Rye Pier

-38.3687671S 144.8223983E

Scuba Culture

28/11/2015

17°C - Low Tide - 0 m Swell - Nil Current - Ebb Tidal Stream - Max. Depth 4.4m - Visibility 4m

Sponges, Seasquirts etc - Mixed Algae - Artificial Reef - Low Rocky Reef Rubble - Sand/Mud

6

Dive

Rye Pier

-38.3687671S 144.8223983E

Scuba Culture

5/12/2015

18°C - Low Tide - 0 m Swell - Weak Curent - Slack Tidal Stream - Max Depth. 4.8m - Visibility 5m

Sponges, Seasquirts etc - Mixed Algae - Artificial Reef - Low Rocky Reef Rubble - Sand/Mud

8

Dive

Blairgowrie Pier

38°21.4’S 144°46.4E

Diveline

28/11/2015

16°C - 0m Swell height - Weak Current - Max. Depth 4.6m - Visibility 10m

Seagrass - Artificial Reef - Other (new matting installed as part of pier upgrade)

13

Dive

Blairgowrie Pier

38°21.4’S 144°46.4E

Ocean Divers 28/11/2015

17°C - High Tide - 0 m Swell Weak/Nil Current - Flood Tidal Stream - Max. Depth 6m - Visibility 8m

Kelp - Sponges, Seasquirts, etc - Mixed Algae - Seagrass - Artificial Reef - Sand/Mud

33

Dive

Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary

37°59'40.6"S 145°01'51.1"E

Sandringham College

10/12/2015

18°C - High Tide - 0.5 m Swell Weak Current - Flood/Slack Tidal Stream - Max. Depth 2.8m - Visibility 9m

Seagrass - Mixed Algae - Large Rocky Reef - Low Rocky Reef

14

Snorkel

Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary

37°59'40.6"S 145°01'51.1"E

Marine Care Ricketts Point /Parks Victoria

27/11/2015

18°C - Low Tide - 0 m Swell - Nil Current - Ebb Tidal Stream - Max. Depth 2m - Visibility 0.5m

Seagrass - Mixed Algae Kelp - Sponges, seasquirts, etc - Large Rocky Reef Low Rocky Reef

16

Snorkel

Flinders Pier

38°28'32.5"S 145°01'38.7"E

Melb Uni Underwater Club

28/11/2015

16°C - High Tide - 0 m Swell - Weak Sand/Mud - Seagrass Current - Slack Tidal Stream - Max. Depth 4.5m - Visibility 4m

14

Dive

Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary (near Flinders)

38°28'53.7"S 145°00'56.6"E

Friends of Mushroom Reef/Parks Victoria

5/12/2015

15°C - Low Tide - 0.5 m Swell - Nil Current - Ebb Tidal Stream - Max. Depth 5m - Visibility 10m

Kelp - Mixed Algae - Sea11 grass - Sponges, Seasquirts etc - Low Rocky Reef Rubble - Sand/Mud

Snorkel

Mornington Pier -38.219983S 145.038946E

Harbour Dive

5/12/2015

18°C - Low Tide - 0 m Swell - Nil Current - Ebb Tidal Stream - Max. Depth 8m - Visibility 10m

Seagrass - Sponges, Seasquirts etc - Rubble Artificial Reef

4

Dive

Mornington Pier -38.219983S 145.038946E

Monash Underwater Club (MONUC/ MAASC)

29/11/2015

17°C - Low Tide - 0 m Swell - Nil Current - Flood Tidal Stream - Max. Depth 8m - Visibility 5m

Seagrass - Sponges, Seasquirts etc - Rubble Artificial Reef

9

Dive

Friends of Barwon Bluff/Parks Victoria

5/12/2015

18°C - Weak Current - SE Winds approx. 10-0lm/hr, 40%cloud cover, Visibility 1-2m

Sand/Mud - Seagrass Kelp - Low Rocky Reef

26

Snorkel

BELLARINE PENINSULA Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary

38°17'21.2"S 144°30'02.9"E

PORT PHILLIP BAY Popes Eye, North side

38'16.606S 144'39.324E

Friends of Beware Reef

4/12/2015

16°C - High Tide - 0 m Swell - Weak Kelp - Mixed Algae - ArtiCurrent - Flood Tidal Stream - Max. ficial Reef Depth 10m - Visibility 22m

3

Dive

Popes Eye, South side

38'16.518S 144'39.326E

Friends of Beware Reef

4/12/2015

16°C - High Tide - 0 m Swell - Weak Kelp - Mixed Algae - ArtiCurrent - Ebb Tidal Stream - Max. ficial Reef Depth 10m - Visibility 22m

4

Snorkel

30

GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 APPENDIX

Survey Site

GPS Location

Group

Date undertaken

Site conditions

Habitat type

Participants

Snorkel/ Dive

PORT PHILLIP BAY

South Channel Fort East

38'30.692S 144'80.102E

Friends of Beware Reef

3/12/2015

17°C - Low Tide - 0 m Swell - Weak Current - Flood Tidal Stream - Max. Depth 12m - Visibility 13m

Kelp - Mixed Algae - Seagrass - Artificial Reef

4

Snorkel

South Channel Fort West

38'30.692S 144'80.102E

Friends of Beware Reef

3/12/2015

17°C - Low Tide - 0 m Swell - Weak Current - Ebb Tidal Stream - Max. Depth 10m - Visibility 13m

Kelp - Mixed Algae - Seagrass - Artificial Reef

3

Snorkel

Ozone Shipwreck

38'08.308S 144'42.781E

Friends of Beware Reef

1/12/2015

18°C - Low Tide - 0 m Swell - Weak Curent - Ebb Tidal Stream - Max. Depth 3.1m - Visibility 4m

Kelp - Mixed Algae - Seagrass - Artificial Reef

3

Snorkel

Light of the Age Wreck

38'17.329S 144'35.647E

Friends of Beware Reef

30/11/2015

17°C - High Tide - 1 m Swell - Weak Kelp - Mixed Algae - SeaCurrent - Flood Tidal Stream - Max. grass - Low Rocky Reef Depth 7m - Visibility 7m

5

Snorkel

Cottage by the Sea

38'16.476S 144'38.952E

Friends of Beware Reef

30/11/2015

17°C - High Tide - 0 m Swell - Weak Kelp - Mixed Algae - SeaCurrent - Slack Tidal Stream - Max. grass - Low Rocky Reef Depth 4m - Visibility 18m

2

Snorkel

Point Franklin

38'19.035S 144'43.033E

Friends of Beware Reef

2/12/2015

16°C - Low Tide - 0.5 m Swell Mixed Algae - Seagrass Strong Current - Flood Tidal Stream Low Rocky Reef - Max. Depth 4.1m - Visbility 6m

3

Snorkel

Portsea Pier Reef

38'19.081S 144'42.764E

Friends of Beware Reef

2/12/2015

16°C - Low Tide - 0.5 m Swell Weak Current - Ebb Tidal Stream Max. Depth 3.8m - Visibility 10m

Mixed Algae - Seagrass Low Rocky Reef

3

Snorkel

Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary, Point Cook

37°55.626'S 144°47.590'

Marine Care Point Cooke/Parks Victoria

5/12/2015

20°C - High Tide - 0.5 m Swell Weak Current - Ebb Tidal Stream Max. Depth 7m - Visibility 5m

Mixed Algae - Sponges, Seasquirts, etc - Seagrass Rubble - Sand/Mud - Low Rockky Reef

13

Snorkel

Castle Rock

38°17.97'S 144°35.782'E

RMIT Underwater Club

5/12/2015

18°C - High Tide - 0.5 m Swell - Nil Current - Flood Tidal Stream - Max. Depth 15m - Visibility 10m

Kelp - Sponges, Seasquirts etc - Mixed Algae - Large Rocky Reef - Rubble

9

Dive

Capel Sound Reef

38'20.975S 144'52.514E

Victorian Sub Aqua Club

6/12/2015

18°C - High Tide - 0 m Swell - Nil Current - Slack Tidal Stream - Max. Depth 7m - Visibility 8m

Sponges, Seasquirts etc - Mixed Algae - Rubble - Sand/Mud - Low Rocky Reef

2

Dive

Hurricane Wreck 38°20'530''S - Survey 1 144°52.304''E

Victorian Sub Aqua Club

6/12/2015

18°C - High Tide - 0.5 m Swell Weak Current - Flood Tidal Stream - Max. Depth 10m - Visibility 5m

Sponges, Seasquirts etc Seagrass - Artificial Reef

2

Dive

Hurricane Wreck 38°20'467"S - Survey 2 144°52'293"E

Victorian Sub Aqua Club

6/12/2015

18°C - 0 m Swell - Strong Current - Flood Tidal Stream - Max. Depth 11.9m - Visibility 10m

Sponges, Seasquirts etc Artificial Reef - Sand/Mud

7

Dive

Hurricane Wreack Survey 3

38°20'476'S 144°52'298'E

Victorian Sub Aqua Club

6/12/2015

18°C - Low Tide - 0.5 m Swell Sponges, Seasquirts etc Strong Current - Flood Tidal Stream - Mixed Algae - Artificial - Max. Depth 11m - Visibility 5m Reef - Sand - Rubble

2

Dive

Reef off Mentone

38°00.129'S 145°03.741'E

Victorian Sub Aqua Club

6/12/2015

23°C - Low Tide - 0 m Swell - Nil Current - Slack Tidal Stream - Max. Depth 8m - Visbility 6-8m

Sponges, Seasquirts etc Mixed Algae - Low Rocky Reef

4

Dive

Jawbone Marine 37°52'00.1"S Sanctuary, near 144°52'48.6"E Williamstown

Jawbone Marine Sanctuary Care/Parks Victoria

29/11/2015

Low Tide - 0 m Swell - Nil Current Max. Depth 3m - Visibility 10m

Mixed Algae - Seagrass Low Rocky Reef - Sand/ Mud

16

Snorkel

Popes Eye, North side

Friends of Beware Reef

4/12/2015

16°C - High Tide - 0 m Swell - Weak Kelp - Mixed Algae - ArtiCurrent - Flood Tidal Stream - Max. ficial Reef Depth 10m - Visibility 22m

3

Dive

APPENDIX

38'16.606S 144'39.324E

31

Survey Site

GPS Location

Group

Date undertaken

Site conditions

Habitat type

Participants

Snorkel/ Dive

EAST VICTORIA Shack Bay, Bunurong Marine National Park

38°40'20.45S 145°39'30.20E

South 5/12/2015 Gippsland Conservation Society

17°C - Low Tide - 0.5m Swell Weak Current - Flood Tidal Stream - Max. Depth 5m - Visibility 4m

Mixed Algae - Seagrass Sponges, seasquirts, etc - Large Rocky Reef - Low Rocky Reef

18

Snorkel

Wilsons Prom Dannevig N/W

39°06'071''S 146°14'171"E

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

31/10/2015

14°C - Nil Current - Max. depth 33m - Visibility 20 to 30m

NA

4

Dive

Wilsons Prom Tongue Point

39°59'662"S 146°14'813"E

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

31/10/2015

14°C - Nil Current - Max. Depth 31m - Visibility 20 to 30m

NA

4

Dive

Wilsons Prom Bum Rock

39°6'441"S 146°14'185"E

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

31/10/2015

14°C - Nil Current - Max. Depth 32m - Visibility 20 to 30m

NA

4

Dive

Wilsons Prom Norman Point

39°3'216"S 146°19'079"E

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

31/10/2015

14°C - Nil Current - Max. Depth 20m - Visibility 20 to 30m

NA

4

Dive

Wilsons Prom Pillar Point

39°2'279"S 146°18'223"E

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

31/10/2015

14°C - Nil Current - Max. Depth 18m - Visibility 20 to 30m

NA

4

Dive

Wilsons Prom Landing North of Pillar Point

39°2'324"S 146°18'239"E

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

31/10/2015

14°C - Nil Current - Max. Depth 12m - Visibility 20 to 30m

NA

4

Dive

Wilson Prom Great Glennie

39°4'288"S 146°15'230"E

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

1/11/2015

14°C - Nil Current - Max. Depth 28m - Visibility 20 to 30m

NA

8

Dive

Wilsons Prom Ramsbotham

39°4'089"S 146°13'483"E

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

1/11/2015

14°C - Nil Current - Max. Depth 22m - Visibility 20 to 30m

NA

4

Dive

Cape Paterson - Browns Bay Shore

38°40'492"S 145°37'115"E

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

14/11/2015

14°C - Low Tide - 0.5m Swell - Nil Current - Flood Tidal Stream - Max. Depth 10m - Visibility 3m

Seagrass - Low Rocky Reef - Sand/Mud

8

Dive

Cape Woolamai - 3 Sisters

38°34'049"S 145°21'498"E

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

15/11/2015

14°C - High Tide - 1m Swell - Nil Current - Max. Depth 21m - Visibility 10m

Kelp - Large Rocky Reef Underwater pinnacle

10

Dive

Cape Woolamai - SE Point

38°34'067"S 145°21'645"E

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

15/11/2015

14°C - High Tide - 0.5m Swell Weak Current - Max. Depth 16m - Visibility 12m

Kelp - Large Rocky Reef

10

Dive

Cape Woolamai - Teeth

38°34'064"S 145°21'315"E

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

28/11/2015

15°C - High Tide - 0.5m Swell - Nil Current - Max. Depth 14m - Visibility 10m

Kelp - Sponges, seaquirts etc - Large Rocky Reef Sand/Mud

10

Dive

Cape Woolamai Sponge gardens

38°33'894"S 145°21'700"E

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

28/11/2015

15°C - Low Tide - 0.5m Swell - Nil Current - Slack Tidal Stream - Max. Depth 14m - Visibility 10m

Sponges, seasquirts etc Low Rocky Reef - Rubble - Sand/Mud

10

Dive

Cape Woolamai - Middle Point

38°33'927"S 145°20'957"E

S.E.A.L. Diving Services

6/12/2015

14°C - 0.5m Swell - Weak Current Max. Depth 14m - Visibility 15m

Mixed algae - Sponges, seasquirts etc - Low Rocky Reef - Sand/Mud

3

Dive

32

GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 APPENDIX

Survey Site

GPS Location

Group

Date undertaken

Site conditions

Habitat type

Participants

Snorkel/ Dive

WEST VICTORIA

Pea Soup, Port Fairy

38°23'32.7"S 142°13'59.0"E

Daktari Surf and Dive

5/12/2015

17°C - Low Tide - 0.5 m Swell Weak Current - Max. Depth 5m Visibility 10m

Warrnambool Breakwater

38°24'10.1"S 142°28'29.8"E

Daktari Surf and Dive

6/12/2015

17°C - High Tide - 1 m Swell - Nil Sponges, Seasquirts etc Current - Max. Depth 7m - Visibility - Mixed Algae - Artificial 10m Reef - Sand/Mud

8

Dive

Merri Marine Sanctuary, near Warrnambool

38°23'56.4"S 142°27'59.1"E

Daktari Surf and Dive

6/12/2015

16°C - Low Tide - 1 m Swell - Nil Current - Ebb Tidal Stream - Max. Depth 12m - Visibility 8m

Kelp - Sponges, Seasquirts - Mixed Algae - Seagrass Sand/Mud - Rubble - Low Rocky Reef - Large Rocky Reef

8

Dive

Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary

38°28'06.9"S 144°06'20.3"E

Friends of Eagle Rock/ Parks Victoria

22/11/2015

16°C - Low Tide - 1 m Swell Strong Current - Ebb Tidal Stream - Max.Depth 2m - Visibility 5m

Kelp - Mixed Algae - Low Rocky Reef

13

Snorkel

Lorne Pier

38°32'52.0"S 143°59'13.5"E

Lorne-Aireys Inlet p-12 School

7/12/2015

Middle Tide - 1 m Swell - Weak Kelp - Mixed Algae Current - Max. Depth 3m - Visibility Sponges, Seasquirts etc 1m - Low Rocky Reef - Sand/ Mud

27

Snorkel

La Bella Wreck (boat dive site from Warrnambool)

38°24.258'S 142°28.882'E

Warrnambool Sub Aqua Club

13/12/2015

15°C - 1.5 m Swell - Strong Current - Max. Depth 140m - Visibility 6m

Sponges, Seasquirts etc - Seagrass - Sand/Mud -Artificial Reef

9

Dive

800m South of Middle Island ("Gary's spot")

NA

Warrnambool Sub Aqua Club

13/12/2015

15°C - 2 m Swell - Strong Current Max. Depth 24m - Visibility 5m

Sponges, seasquirts etc Large Rocky Reef - Rubble

6

Dive

APPENDIX

Kelp - Spenges, seasquirts 12 etc - Mixed Algae - Seagrass - Sand/Mud - Rubble - Low Rocky Reef

Dive

33

7.3 T ABLE 3. A BREAKDOWN OF EACH SITE WITH THE HABITAT TYPES AND SITE CONDITIONS ON THE DAY OF SURVEYING. Location (Surveyed by)

Other species recorded

MORNINGTON PENINSULA Rye Pier (Dive and Dive)

Goat Fish

Blairgowrie Pier (Ocean Divers)

Mosaic Leatherjackets, Globe fish, Trevally (school), Unidentified species (perhaps velvet fish or frog fish- pics sent to Museum Victoria)

Ricketts Point 'Yacht Club end' (Sandringham College Year 7s)

Banjo Shark, Common Stingray, Toadfish, Flathead, Southern Goatfish ( juvenile), Globe Fish, Snapper

Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary, near Flinders (Friends of Mushroom Reef)

Snapper, Spotted Ray, Mullet, Grass Whiting, Flathead, Moonlighter, Eagle Ray, Stingaree, Red Mullet, Trevally, Toadfish

Mornington Pier (MONUC-MASC)

Common Octopus, Gurnard, Moonlighter, Bridled Leatherjacket

BELLARINE PENINSULA Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary (Friends of Barwon Bluff/Parks Vic)

Australian Salmon (large school- possibly hundreds), Eagle Ray, Smooth Stingray, Globe Fish

PORT PHILLIP BAY Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary, Point Cook (Marine Care Point Cooke)

Globe Fish, Toadfish, Flathead, Southern Hulafish, Fiddler Ray (lots), Shoveline Stingaree, Eagle Ray, Little Weed Whiting

Capel Sound Reef (VSAG)

Cuttlefish

Hurricane Wreck - survey 1 (VSAG)

Pot Belly Sea Horse, Sting Ray, Snapper, Moonlighter

Hurricane Wreck - survey 2 (VSAG)

Longfin Pike, Brown Striped Leatherjacket, Yellow Striped Leatherjacket, Mosaic Leatherjacket, Black Banded Seaperch, Banded Stingaree, Common Stingaree, Smooth Stingray

Hurricane Wreck - survey 3 (VSAG)

Cuttlefish, Gurnard, Butterfly fish, Small Ray, Bream, Pinkies (small bream), Goatfish

Jawbone Marine Sanctuary, near Williamstown (Jawbone Marine Sanctuary Care)

Fiddler Ray, other rays, Grass Whiting, Pigmy Leatherjacket, Box fish, Globe fish, Pipefish, King George Whiting, Bream, Toadfish, Whiting

EAST VICTORIA Shack Bay, Bunurong Marine National Park, near Inverloch (SGCS)

Moonlighters, Port Jackson Sharks, Globe Fish

Wilson Promontory - Great Glennie (S.E.A.L Diving Services)

Velvet Fish

Cape Woolamai - Middle Point (S.E.A.L Diving Services)

Bluelined Leatherjacket, Toadfish, Rock Lobsters

WEST VICTORIA Warrnambool Breakwater (Daktari Surf and Dive)

Sea horses, Weed Ash, Spotted Ray, Bull Ray, Eagle Ray, Wobbegong, Port Jackson Shark, Yellowtail, Cuttle, Abalone (approx. 400 healthy), Globefish, Gurnard

Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary, near Aireys Inlet (Friend of Eagle Rock) Toad Fish, Yellow Striped Leatherjacket, Sand Whiting 800m South of Middle Island, "Gary's spot" (Warrnambool Sub Aqua Rock Lobster, Bulls eyes Club)

34

GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 APPENDIX

APPENDIX

35

Address: Level 3, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053.

Phone: 03 9347 5188.

Email: vnpa@vnpa.org.au Website: www.vnpa.org.au