Port Phillip Bay VIC, Dec 4-7 2009

RLS conducted a training/survey trip in Port Phillip Bay from 4-7 December, based in Queenscliff VIC. We trained three new volunteers – Sylvia and Ian Buchanan and Andrew Potter and were absolutely stoked with their enthusiasm, attention to detail and support for the program. We had two teams going out each day – one with the trainees, Rick, Jacqui and I with local skipper Paul Serbo (Southend Dive and Charters) who happily took us wherever we wanted and without complaint about long dive times – fantastic to be diving with Paul again (and I calculate over 50 hotdogs consumed between us over the trip…) and no-one appreciates the hand warmers and thermos of hot water more than I do! We also had a team of trained RLS volunteers that headed out on the Love Boat with Captain Don; including Bill Barker, Jen Hoskin, Tim Forster and Paige Shaw.

We surveyed a range of sites in near-perfect Melbourne weather and up to 20 m visibility at some sites. Sites surveyed included Lonsdale Wall, Pope’s Eye, Point Nepean, The Springs, South Channel Fort, Portsea Pier & Point Franklin.

Overall 49 species of fish and 85 species of invertebrate/cryptic fish were recorded. The most abundant fish were Notolabrus tetricus, Parma victoriae, Scorpis aequipinnis and Trachinops caudimaculatus. The most abundant invertebrates were Heliocidaris erythrogramma, Meridiastra gunnii, Haliotis rubra and Comanthus trichoptera. The fishes recorded on the most transects were Notolabrus tetricus, Parma victoriae, Scorpis aequipinnis, Cheilodactylus nigripes and Meuschenia freycineti. While the invertebrates recorded on the most transects included Heliocidaris erythrogramma, Comanthus trichoptera, Haliotis rubra and Tosia australis.

Overall a very successful trip in terms of survey effort with some highly skilled volunteers trained in RLS methods and a group of keen trained volunteers contributing more valuable surveys in the area. Interesting finds included 3 warty prowfish (Aetapcus maculatus) on one transect at Pope’s Eye, velvet fish (Aploactisoma milesii), southern blue devils (Paraplesiops meleagris) and Baeolidia australis.

JSS