SECRET GARDEN- 22ND AUGUST 2009
Anita and Heather elected to record the marine debris using four 25 metre transects.
Anita tied the tape to a rock or sea tulip and I followed to record and collect any debris. Happily the only piece we found was a brick, which had holes in it. On closer inspection I discovered there were signs of life in the holes and decided to leave it. It was not all work however as towards the end of the dive Anita beckoned me to look under a rock where I saw a large eye belonging to a black reef leatherjacket and later spotted a moray eel poking out of a rock near the anchor line. The water temperature was even cooler at 16 degrees however as we were finning constantly it was not as noticeable. This site was originally unnamed however despite the poor visibility we all agreed we would love to return and thought the name Secret Garden was appropriate, given the beautiful colours and variety of shapes in the benthic life comprised of sponges, corals and algae.
Suzanne and Isabelle completed Reef Life Surveys, and although fish diversity was rather low, the benthic life was diverse and unlike that seen further south. This area definitely contains unique and wonderful reef life that is well worth the visit.
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