Monday, November 26, 2012

24th November 2012 The Barge/ Baitgrounds

Fog on the ground in the early morning was a good sign for the day ahead. Dead flat seas made for a smooth ride out to The Barge and ideal conditions to spot dolphins swimming about enjoying themselves. Descending down the anchor was initially murky but on the seabed the entire barge was visible plus the reef next to it. The Barge was a garbage barge that was sunk deliberately as a dive site. As soon as we reached the anchor a two metre male grey nurse cruised by for a photo opportunity. Another male measuring 2.5 metres also swam passed for our camera. We peered down holes in the barge and performed roaming marine debris surveys. Two stubby beer bottles were found, one was retrieved however the other was inhabited and left behind. Also sighted were red morwong, jewfish, eastern hula fish, maori wrasse, beardies, sweep, yellowtail scad, traglin, pike, crested morwong, blue grouper, mado, balling catfish, brown catfish, white faced pullers, crimson banded wrasse, yellow catfish, old wives, orange seastars, girdled scalyfin and bullseyes. Maximum depth was 28 metres with a water temperature of 20 degrees. After a surface interval we headed over to The Baitgrounds. This dive we were able to perform roaming marine debris surveys in straight lines of 25 metres, as the reef was small and surrounded by sand. We soon found a fishing line with two hooks and a sin
ker (recovered), a sand anchor complete with rope (recovered) and netting with cabling and rope wedged in the rocks, therefore unable to be recovered however photographic evidence was taken. Two female grey nurses (1.3m and 1.7m) was sighted as well as a juvenile hawksbill turtle, sweep, mado, red morwong, yellowtail scad, balling catfish, old wives, jewfish, eastern hula fish, pike, white faced pullers, girdled scalyfin, maori wrasse, crimson banded wrasse, hawk fish, blue cleaner wrasse, blue grouper, blue damsels, bullseyes, cardinal fish, trumpeters, kelpfish, senator wrasse, Gunters butterfly fish, blue lined kale, eastern smooth boxfish, hard skinned boxfish, numbray, fiddler rays, wobbygong, a school of squid, a port Jackson shark and a port Jackson shark egg case. Maximum depth was 11 metres. GLUG Members Present – Anita Toland, Greg Toland, Janne Moran, Tony Moran, Rachel Dodd and Heather Armour.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Blackhead - 20th October 2012

We set out from Forster marina at 8am through rolling seas, enjoying the company of whales and their calves all the way to Snapper Reef, about 45 minutes north of Forster. The morning was warm and sunny, with a blustery Nor-wester blowing strongly by the time we entered the water at 9:30am. Although we passed wracks of red-weed on our journey, the water was pleasantly clear, with around 10-15m visibility. Anchoring in barren reef at 16m, we proceeded with our marine debris surveys, finding a reel directly next to the anchor. Our search also turned up two complete fishing rods, only one of which was recovered. We finished our transects and exited the water, loot in hand. John then jumped in and found another couple of rods. The highlight were the large and inquisitive blue gropers, occasional corals and pretty seastars.
Left:Rachel and Heather set out the transect line. The wind had strengthened during our dive, now whipping the sea into white-caps. We headed south and surveyed a reef off Redhead, known as The Ridge. Slightly shallower, this undulating reef had more interesting benthic life, with gorgonian corals, sea tulips, zooanthids and large sponges. No debris to be had (always a good sign!), and not much fish-life to mention, but the whales were peeping and the underwater colours were beautiful. A bit chillier than the first dive, at 17deg, and enjoyed by all, except Zack, who was not feeling too good by this stage. Our trip back to Forster was the highlight of the day, with a spectacular aerial display by a baby humpback while his mum cruised by, less than 100m from the boat. The hot westerly wind had the mercury pushing 40deg by 1pm, our second heat wave day this spring! Thanks to John and Zack, from Action Divers, for a very enjoyable morning.
Combating Marine Debris Seven members of GLUG (Great Lakes Underwater Group) spent Friday 28th September cleaning up the Tuncurry break wall from the Rock Pool to under Forster Bridge. The group had a bag each but this was soon filled with lots of debris ranging from fishing tackle, line, rods and lures, to chairs, plastic pipe, bottles and even a mobile phone. The group carries out this clean-up twice yearly and were very disappointed to the huge amount of man-made debris that finds its way into our magnificent waterway. There was debris from the recreational fishermen as well as a lot of pipe, rope and long line gear from the fishing fleet located along the edge. Generally, people are becoming much more aware of the need to preserve our water ways for our future generations. There are still a few who don’t seem to care. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t there and that it doesn’t have a huge impact on the environment. It does and time will only tell how much. Anita Toland

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Little Seal & Skeleton Rocks

16-09-2012 Members of GLUG present:- Isabelle Strachan, John Connolly, Greg and Anita Toland After a week of good weather and westerly winds blowing at Forster the group was hoping to have relatively good dive conditions. We were picked up from Boat Harbour at Seal Rocks just after 9am. The trip out with Nick was a bit rough once we passed the protection of Sugarloaf Point with a roll coming in from the South. Our first dive was a Little Seals. We anchored on the western side near the whitewash. When we descended the anchor line there was a 2.5m female GNS right in front of us. We managed to take a few photos but alas the visibility was very poor and we didn’t manage to capture any of its markings. We laid out the transects in a North South alignment and only found an old listening device rod which was successfully retrieved. We were actually surprised to see so many good size drummer and bream and snapper cruising around the rock. There were heaps of wrasse and the usual bullseyes and heaps of one spot pullers. The fish seem to be building up in numbers very quickly as a result of Little Seals being in the marine park. The best part of the dive was the magnificent whale song which accompanied us the entire dive. We managed to stay in for 35 minutes before we retreated to the boat for a hot soup as the water was a chilly 16 degrees. After a move to Skeleton Rock and a change of tanks we were back into the cold conditions. Again the visibility was very poor with heaps of plankton in the water. We carried out our four 25m marine debris surveys at a depth of 10 and 15 metres. We found nothing along the transect lines or on our roaming search. We managed to circumnavigate the bommie and were treated with the sighting of the resident large loggerhead turtle. Anita Toland

Friday, June 1, 2012

World Oceans Day - 2012. Clean up Forster Breakwall

June 8th is World Oceans Day, the UN-designated day for the global community to celebrate and take action for our shared ocean. One of the greatest threats to the ocean is also one of the most insidious because chances are it’s so mundane you don’t even notice it. Look around you right now: how much plastic do you see?
The ocean is downstream from all of us so no matter where we live, so we can all help address the issue of plastic pollution in the ocean. Each year a huge amount of plastic eventually makes it into coastal waters and harms ocean life. Many animals such as seabirds, sea turtles, dolphins, and whales die every year from plastic entanglement or starvation because they fill up their stomachs on plastic they mistake for food. Take action for World Oceans Day and prevent plastic from harming ocean wildlife!
Reduce plastic use . Help stop plastic pollution at its source! As consumers, we each have the power to reduce demand. And if you encourage family and friends to do the same, the more the more good we can do to keep the ocean clean and safe. Here are a few disposable plastic products everyone can reduce in our daily lives:
Plastic water bottles. Invest in a reusable water bottle, and filter water if necessary. Help the ocean and save money; it’s a win-win for you and the blue. On average, Americans now use 4 plastic water bottles a day—the highest ever recorded! Let’s turn the tide against wasteful plastic consumption.
Plastic bags. People use nearly 1 trillion plastic bags each year, and unfortunately, many of those end up ingested by sea turtles that mistake plastic for jellyfish. Remember to bring a reusable bag for food (including vegetables) and other shopping and save a life!
Straws, cups to-go, food containers, and utensils. Bring your own reusable products like mugs when you get coffee and take a pass on the plastic utensils when you get take-out food. And if you must have a straw, there a number affordable options!
Be aware of packaging. Pay attention to how much incidental plastic that comes with what you buy—your candy, headphones, pens, etc., all come in plastic packaging. Strive to cut down on your daily plastic consumption and reward corporations that package responsibly!
Act for World Oceans Day!
Come along and help with our Underwater CleanUp - Meet at Forster Marina at 11am on Friday 8th June.  Call 65917301 for more information.
Hold a ‘Switch for the Sea’ contest! Ask friends and family to switch one of their disposable plastic habits for a sustainable, ocean-friendly one: such as bringing reusable food containers from home when eating out for your ‘doggie bag.’
Organize an aquatic clean-up! Head out to your nearest and dearest body of water with some friends and pick up all the trash you find. You’ll be surprised at how much of it is plastic.
Ban the bag in your town. Many communities around the world are banning plastic bags from being used at their stores. Learn how to start a campaign to stop plastic bags use in your town!
There are hundreds of events being held all over the world, find one near you and celebrate with a purpose this World Oceans Day! You can also go the extra mile and organize an event yourself using ideas and free materials provided at WorldOceansDay.org!

Friday, May 25, 2012

Latest hideous display of human barbarianism.....it makes me feel ill. Check it out - You might have to copy and paste this url - the link function is not working for me tonight http://express-advocate-gosford.whereilive.com.au/news/story/grey-nurse-shark-atrocity-at-terrigal/

Dive Trip to North Latitude and Bennett’s Bommie, 5th May, 2012


The dive started out with a bit of confusion despite the magnificent morning weather as both Suzanne and Peter turned up as extras to dive with Forster Dive Centre. Nick had indicated by phone that morning that there was room for two extras but once the boat was loaded he realized that other non-GLUG divers had brought friends unannounced to dive, some being in the extra extra large category. So although both Suzanne and Pete tried to pull out, the very gracious Rachel and Heather insisted that they would give their dive up and go out the next day with Nick.

So after an embarrassing start and a farewell from Rachel and Heather, the group headed out to Latitude. The dive buddy groups for the first dive were Suzanne, Tony and Anita; and Brian and Peter. Despite the sun fading before the first dive the visibility was not too bad, about 7- 9m. Due to a fairly strong current we decided to do a roaming debris survey and collection rather than use transect lines. The findings comprised a single aluminium can and an anchor was found by the non-GLUG group but was left in situ. The habitat comprised mostly of kelp-covered rock. In terms of fish species there were plenty of bait fish, red morwong, a leather jacket, a single striped catfish, lots of blue grouper, wobbegongs, crimson-banded and other wrasses and a tropical long nose butterfly. The highlight species were several - a small green turtle and a beautiful large spotted eagle ray with a tail length of at least 2 metres. The maximum depth of the dive was 19-21m and dive time was around 50 minutes.

The surface interval was not very pleasant. The sun was gone and the wind had sprung up and there were some seriously noisy chundering companions from the non-GLUG contingent. They were very sick and not very happy, but spent most of their time bouncing around in the water while the non-sickies tried to ignore their noises and chunder and pretend to enjoy the lovely soup, bikkies and lollies provided by Nick. There was much discussion as to whether the second dive could go ahead or whether we should offload the off-colour divers first, but we ended up at Bennett’s Head bommy and all went below.

Dive pairs consisted of Janne and Tony, Brian and Peter; and Suzanne and Anita. The habitat was again kelp-covered rock on a sand floor base. The visibility was poor (2-5m max) and the current was strong. Again we did a roaming debris collection and I found a broken crab trap. Again there were plenty of baitfish around and lots of ornate wobbegongs, a few Port Jackson sharks and fiddler rays. I found a beautiful gastropod buried in the shell and soon found out how razor-sharp is the edge of the shell-opening. Max. depth was around 11m and dive time around 50 minutes, but the decreasing visibility and increasing current made heading for the top a more desirable option.

Back on board dear Nick experienced boat problems as the steering broke and he did a very professional job steering us through the bar using his reverse gear when necessary. Back at the Dive Centre the gear washing and hot shower services were most appreciated and our dear Heather and Rachel had returned to greet us and show the fruits of their labour. They had snorkeled in Breckenridge Channel and collected more debris than us! Well done girls – they also stayed on for the scrumptious GLUG BBQ organized by Anita and Janne.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Big Seal Rock, 12 May 2012

BIG SEAL ROCK -SATURDAY 12TH MAY 2012

DIVE 1 - SOUTH EAST CORNER -Five members of the Great Lakes Underwater Group joined Action Divers to complete marine debris surveys, monitor grey nurse sharks and record fish life at Seal Rocks. A chilly wind was from the southwest meant we could not anchor too close so a shot line was put over the stern directly into the gutter.

Anita and I were first in the water and we were met by approximately forty males grey nurse sharks, many juveniles, and twenty females. Quite a few carried scars and one female had tackle trailing from her mouth – the hook way down in her stomach. She was in poor condition. Two others had thick monofilament line (long-line) with large stainless steel hooks and another had the top of its tail chopped off. Fortunately John managed to remove a hook from one individual, but it is frustrating to not be able to help the others.

A random marine debris survey was conducted as at a depth of 20 metres it was too deep to carry out transects, and one large stainless fishing hook with a trace was found and removed.

A fish identification survey recorded blue grouper, red morwong, comb wrasse, maori wrasse, crimson banded wrasse, girdled parma, common and small scale bullseyes, old wives, Moorish idols, half banded sea perch, sweep, mado, wobbegongs, bream, snapper, red rock cods, pufferfish, white cheeked scalyfin, kingfish, one spot pullers, black reef leatherjacket, moray eels and a free swimming older large loggerhead turtle.
The conditions were pleasant with a water temperature of 22 degrees and visibility of 15 metres.

DIVE 2 - WESTERN GUTTER – This dive was to 14 metres which meant Jordon and Brian were able to conduct marine debris transects. They did not find any debris however Anita found another large stainless steel hook with monofilament line buried in the sand on the north east gutter which she took back to the boat with her.

Approximately twenty grey nurse sharks were sighted with one female trailing a long section of fishing line covered in growth. Also recorded were surgeon fish, blue grouper, red morwong, kelp fish, comb wrasse, maori wrasse, crimson banded wrasse, girdled parma, common and small scale bullseyes, old wives, half banded sea perch, sweep, pike, yellowtail scad, wobbygongs, Port Jackson shark, bream, mado, stripeys, pufferfish, blackspot goatfish, luderick, blue damsels, one spot pullers, crested morwong, red morwong, bream, snapper, moray eels, six spine leatherjacket (male and female), Moorish idols, Lord Howe Island butterfly fish, black spot goatfish, blue and yellow fusilier, eastern hulafish and red rock cod.

The water temperature was 22 degrees with visibility at 8 metres however we began to feel the cold and headed back up the anchor to decompress whilst watching a large school of sweep swim about under the boat in the sunlight.

HEATHER ARMOUR.










Saturday, April 28, 2012

Anzac Day Dive

The Pinnacle, Cape Hawke. The day started with a fresh sou-westerly wind and clear skies. Six GLUG members boarded for the first dive of our new project Monitoring marine debris in the Great Lakes Area. We were heading to deep water site, the Pinnacle for some threatened species work, followed by a training dive at Latitude Reef. After a few delays in the harbour, Nick, skipper at Forster Dive Centre, chartered us out to the mooring at the Pinnacle. The water was a balmy 23deg on the surface, 19deg below, and visibility was good - 10-15m. We were there to document the local grey nurse shark and black cod populations, as well as check the area for marine debris. The site is deep >30m, so transect work was out of the question. Unfortunately, Heather had trouble with her weight belt and bcd, and had to abort the dive all together. The rest of us completed a roaming search for marine debris, and documented the fish life present. We checked the latest haunts for the cod family, spotting plenty of snapper, mulloway and kingies on the way, as well as the resident (massive) black ray. After a few 'hiccups' with insects in regulators & near choking events, we made our way back to the mooring line, where a lovely black cod was hanging in the dark crevices. Greg found an old rope and tangled monofilament bundle, which we removed from the site. No sharks were seen. Lesson of the day - always purge your regs before descending, you never know what you might find! Dive Details: 33.8m, 29min, 19-23deg
Tangled mess of rope and monofilament found at 37m at the Pinnacle. Photo by Greg Toland
Young female grey nurse shark with fishing line trailing from her mouth at Latitude Reef. Photo by Greg Toland
Latitude Reef, Cape Hawke. Jordan, Kaitlyn and I jumped in to 10m, the top of Latitude Reef, which runs due East-West, with a nice kelp bed on the top, and reef wall to the north that drops down to about 20m. I was showing Kaitlyn and Jordan the Marine Debris Method, so we stayed up on top, and ran two 25m tapes due east, checking for marine debris in a 5m band along each tape. Kaitlyn made the only find, a stainless swivel. We had to contend with a bit of swell, which always makes the method more of a challenge, but the trainees did a great job. To top it off, we had four grey nurses swim through the transect line right at the end, one of which was a lovely large female (2.5-3m). We then bumped into Greg and Colin and swam back along the wall to the cod hole, where at least 10 grey nurse sharks were cruising. Greg took around 80 shots of the sharks with the lasers (used to size each animal accurately) for the Spot a Shark team, and I tried to battle with the surge and get some shots for spot a shark. We spotted one small female with a long piece of line trailing from her mouth - a common sight in our local grey nurse shark population. Greg also spotted a green turtle, and Rob, the dive master, spotted a small hawksbill turtle. I found another debris item on our swim - a piece of metal bar, probably from an anchor. Heather had more trouble with her gear, and again had to abort the dive half way through the transect. 'I should not have got out of bed', she said back on board! A great day for our first dive, and with the water looking better than it has in two years, we may be in for some busy weekends! Dive Details: 16.4m, 36min, 19 deg. I am out of action for a while after my choking incident - inhaled a full-grown cockroach at 33m, and now have pneumonia! Ah, the joys of diving :)