By Tilly Reynolds and Caitlin Griffith

Transcription

1 By Tilly Reynolds and Caitlin Griffith

2 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, South Gippsland Conservation Society, Victorian Sub Aqua Club, Warrnambool Sub Aqua Club. Cover photo: Southern Blue Devil Fish at Castle Rock, by Natalie Manahan. 2 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 CONTENTS

3 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

4 CONTENTS 1. Summary...P5 2. Introduction...P6 2.1 Background Citizen Science and community participation and engagement Partnerships and relationships with local communities Fish on the Move theme Methodology...P8 3.1 Survey Period Site selection Survey method Data analysis Results...P Great Victorian Fish Count summary results Survey site and weather conditions Conclusion...P Common species observed Species of conservation interest and Fish on the Move Site information References...P25 7. Appendix...P Table of the raw data in terms of the abundance of target species recorded at each of the 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count survey sites Table with a breakdown of each site with the habitat types and site conditions on the day of surveying Table of additional marine species recorded at survey locations as recorded by participating groups GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 CONTENTS

5 1.0 SUMMARY This 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 at Cape Woolamai. Photo: Tilly Reynolds show up since its rediscovery in Victoria in This year it was recorded at Portsea Pier, Wilsons Promontory and Popes Eye in the Port Phillip Heads National Park. The unique Southern Blue Devil was recorded at two survey sites in Port Phillip Bay as well as at Cape Woolamai and at Wilsons Promontory. Another 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. 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). 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

6 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, 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. 6 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 INTRODUCTION

7 Seal Diving 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 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). 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. Through working with Redmap Victoria in 2015, participants were able to report any unusual sightings (such as the fish listed above) to Redmap. INTRODUCTION 7

8 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 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 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, 8 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 METHODOLOGY

9 Pea Soup, Port Fairy Offshore Phillip Island NP Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary Lee Breakwater Warrnambool Breakwater Port Campbell Bay Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary Bunurong Marine National Park Marine National Parks Marine Sanctuaries SOUTHERN OCEAN Merri Marine Sanctuary Jarosite Reef BASS STRAIT TASMAN SEA Jawbone Marine Sanctuary Pt Cooke Marine Sanctuary Ozone Shipwreck Ricketts Pt Marine Sanctuary Mentone Reef Light of the Age Shipwreck Cottage by the Sea South Channel Fort Mornington Pier Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary Castle Rock Portsea Pier Point Franklin Popes Eye Hurricane Wreck Capel Sound Reef Flinders Pier Blairgowrie Yacht Sqr Pier Rye Pier Mushroom Reef, Marine Sanctuary Point Cook. Point Franklin. Popes Eye, North. Popes Eye, South. Portsea Pier Reef. Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary. South Channel Fort East. South Channel Fort West. Mornington Peninsula Blairgowrie Pier. Flinders Pier. Mornington Pier. Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary (near Flinders). Rye Pier. Eastern Victoria Cape Woolamai. Cape Paterson. Shack Bay, Bunurong Marine National Park (near Inverloch). Wilsons Promontory. 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, METHODOLOGY 9

10 Old Wife. Photo John Gaskell 10 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 METHODOLOGY

11 such as Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary. It is hoped that Eastern Victoria will be better represented in future Great Victorian Fish Counts and the VNPA will be working on establishing stronger networks with local communities in the area. 3.3 Survey method 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. 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 Reef Watch Victori PO Box 666E, Melbo Ph info@reefwatchvic.a the 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 Blue- Throat 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 Horseshoe Leatherjacket (64cm) Six Spined Leatherjacket (55cm) Eastern Blue Groper (100CM) museum VICTORIA Zebra Symbol Fish (54cm) Category Australian Marine Conservation Society Reef Watch PO Box 666E Ph info@reefw Australian Marine Conservation Society museum VICTORIA Zebra Fish (54cm) Horseshoe Leatherjacket (64cm) Six Spined Leatherjacket (55cm) FIGURE 2 THE ABUNDANCE CATAGORIES AND THEIR CORRESPONDING SYMBOLS THAT ARE USED ON THE GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT IDENTIFICATION SLATES. 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 Leatherjackets Blackfishes METHODOLOGY 11

12 GVFC Survey GVFC Survey Form Form Reef Watch Victoria Reef Watch Victoria PO Box 666E, Melbourne, PO VIC Box , Melbourne, Ph VIC Ph Registration Details Dive Group (registered dive operator/friends group): Registration N o. : GVFC Survey GVFC Survey Form Form Reef Watch Victoria Reef Watch Victoria PO Box 666E, Melbourne, PO VIC Box , Melbourne, Ph VIC Ph info@reefwatchvic.asn.au info@reefwatchvic.asn.au Registration Details Dive Group (registered dive operator/friends group): Registration N o. : Site Details Site name: Site Details Site name: Location: Latitude If using a GPS, please use WGS 84 DATUM S Longitude E Location: Latitude If using a GPS, please use WGS 84 DATUM S Longitude E Site Description Habitat (tick all that apply): Site Description Habitat (tick all that apply): Large Rocky Reef (>2m face) Low Rocky Reef (<2m face) Rubble Artificial Reef (eg. pier, wrecks) Sand/Mud Other Type of cover (tick all that apply): Kelp (long, leathery brown algae) Mixed algae Seagrass Sponges, seasquirts & other Other If Other, please describe: Large Rocky Reef (>2m face) Low Rocky Reef (<2m face) Rubble Artificial Reef (eg. pier, wrecks) Sand/Mud Other Type of cover (tick all that apply): Kelp (long, leathery brown algae) Mixed algae Seagrass Sponges, seasquirts & other Other If Other, please describe: Site Conditions The following are the site conditions on the day of the survey Date of Survey: Time start: Time finish: / / DD/MM/YYYY 24 hr time 24 hr time N o. of divers: Duration: Max. Depth: Visibility: Water Temp.: Tide: High : : hours : mins Swell height: Low 0m 0.5m 1m 1.5m 2m m m : C Site Conditions The following are the site conditions on the day of the survey Date of Survey: Time start: Time finish: / / DD/MM/YYYY 24 hr time 24 hr time N o. of divers: Duration: Max. Depth: Visibility: Water Temp.: Tide: High : : hours : mins Swell height: Low 0m 0.5m 1m 1.5m 2m m m : C Tidal stream: Current: Flood Ebb Slack Strong Weak Nil Page 1 Tidal stream: Current: Flood Ebb Slack Strong Weak Nil 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 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 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 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

13 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

14 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 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 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 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. 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 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 Lorne- Aireys Inlet Primary School in particular must be commended for their survey efforts, getting in the water despite 1m visibility and a decent swell. 14 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 RESULTS

15 Leatherjackets at Hurricane Wreck, surveying by Victorian Sub Aqua Group. Photo: Peter Beaumont 2015 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT TARGET SPECIES ABUNDANCE 1-5 instances 6-20 instances > 20 instances Number of sites recorded at in this abundance Dusky Morwong Red Morwong Banded Morwong Magpie Perch Bastard Trumpeter Herring Cale Six-spined Leatherjacket Southern Blue Devil Horseshoe Leatherjacket Ornate Cowfish Shaw s Cowfish Victorian Scalyfin Zebrafish Old Wife Long-snouted Boarfish Sea Sweep Silver Sweep Blue-throat Wrasse Senator Wrasse Saddled Wrasse Maori Wrasse Eastern Blue Groper Western Blue Groper FIGURE 4. HOW OFTEN EACH OF THE 25 TARGET SPECIES WERE OBSERVED IN TERMS OF THE THREE ABUNDANCE CATEGORIES ON THE SURVEY FORM. Harlequin Fish Common (or Weedy) Seadragon RESULTS 15

16 TABLE 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/ Magpie Perch, Blue-throat Wrasse, Bastard Trumpeter, Leatherjackets, Senator Wrasse Ornate Cowfish Rye Pier Scuba Culture 21/11/ Blue-throat Wrasse, Sea Sweep Rye Pier Scuba Culture 28/11/ Blue-throat Wrasse, Bastard Trumpeter, Horseshoe Leatherjacket, Six-spined Leatherjacket Rye Pier Scuba Culture 5/12/ Blue-throat Wrasse, Horseshoe Leatherjacket, Six-spined Leatherjacket, Sea Sweep Blairgowrie Pier Diveline 28/11/ Globe Fish, Sea Sweep, Six-spined Leatherjacket, Saddled Wrasse Juvenile Victorian Scalyfin and Sea Sweep observed Bastard Trumpeter Dumpling squid, sand octopus, snake eel, Big-bellied Seahorse Blairgowrie Pier Ocean Divers 28/11/ Trevally, Globefish Spinycoat Anglerfish Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary Flinders Pier Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary (near Flinders) Sandringham College Marine Care Ricketts Point / Parks Victoria Melbourne University Underwater Club Friends of Mushroom Reef/ Parks Victoria 10/12/ Toad Fish, Snapper, Sea Sweep Banjo Shark, juvenile Southern Goatfish, Senator Wrasse 27/11/ Zebrafish, Dusky Morwong Horseshoe Leatherjacket 28/11/ Six-spined Leatherjacket, Blue-throat Wrasse Weedy Seadragon 5/12/ Saddled Wrasse, Blue-throat Wrasse, Whiting, Toadfish Mornington Pier Harbour Dive 5/12/ Silver Sweep, Old Wife, Blue-throat Wrasse, Zebrafish Mornington Pier BELLARINE PENINSULA Monash Underwater Club (MONUC/MAASC) Juvenile Eastern Gropers observed, Eagle Ray, Bastard Trumpeter Senator Wrasse, Leatherjackets 29/11/ Old Wife, Zebrafish, Long-snouted Boarfish Common Octopus Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary PORT PHILLIP BAY Friends of Barwon Bluff/Parks Victoria 5/12/ Australian Salmon, Blue-throat Wrasse New sightings reported for Barwon Bluff MS included Eagle Rays and Shaw s Cowfish Popes Eye, North side Popes Eye, South side South Channel Fort East South Channel Fort West Ozone Shipwreck Light of the Age Wreck Cottage by the Sea Point Franklin Portsea Pier Reef Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary Friends of Beware Reef Friends of Beware Reef Friends of Beware Reef Friends of Beware Reef Friends of Beware Reef Friends of Beware Reef Friends of Beware Reef Friends of Beware Reef Friends of Beware Reef Marine Care Point Cooke/Parks Victoria 4/12/ Six-Spined Leatherjacket, Victorian Scalyfin, Sea Sweep, Blue-throat Wrasse 4/12/ Magpie Perch, Six-spined Leatherjacket, Victorian Scalyfin, Zebrafish, Sea Sweep, Blue-throat Wrasse 3/12/ Victorian Scalyfin, Sea Sweep, Blue-throat Wrasse 3/12/ Victorian Scalyfin, Sea Sweep, Blue-throat Wrasse, Senator Wrasse Shaw's Cowfish Western Blue Groper, Ornate Cowfish, Shaw's Cowfish Shaw's Cowfish Shaw's Cowfish 1/12/ Blue-throat Wrasse Senator Wrasse 30/11/ Victorian Scalyfin, Blue-throat Wrasse Senator Wrasse 30/11/ Blue-throat Wrasse, Victorian Scalyfin, Magpie Perch Southern Blue Devil (four recorded) 2/12/ Blue-throat Wrasse, Senator Wrasse Six-spined and Horseshoe Leatherjacket 2/12/ Blue-throat Wrasse, Senator Wrasse, Victorian Scalyfin Common (or Weedy) Seadragon, Western Blue Groper 5/12/ Fiddler Ray, Southern Hulafish Eagle Rays, one possibly pregnant 16 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 RESULTS

17 TABLE 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 Capel Sound Reef Hurricane Wreck-Survey 1 Hurricane Wreck-Survey 2 Hurricane Wreck-Survey 3 Reef off Mentone Jawbone Marine Sanctuary EAST VICTORIA Shack Bay, Bunurong Marine National Park Wilsons Prom - Dannevig N/W Wilsons Prom - Tongue Point Wilsons Prom - Bum Rock Wilsons Prom - Norman Point Wilsons Prom - Pillar Point Wilsons Prom - North of Pillar Point Wilson Prom - Great Glennie Wilsons Prom Ramsbotham Cape Paterson - Browns Bay Shore Cape Woolamai - 3 Sisters Cape Woolamai - SE Point Cape Woolamai - Teeth Cape Woolamai - Sponge gardens Cape Woolamai - Middle Point RMIT Underwater Club Victorian Sub Aqua Club Victorian Sub Aqua Club Victorian Sub Aqua Club Victorian Sub Aqua Club Victorian Sub Aqua Club Jawbone Marine Sanctuary Care/ Parks Victoria South Gippsland Conservation Society 5/12/ Six-spined Leatherjacket, Victorian Scalyfin, Zebrafish, Blue-throat Wrasse, Senator Wrasse 6/12/ Victorian Scalyfin, Blue-throat Wrasse Cuttlefish 6/12/ Dusky Morwong, Banded Morwong, Magpie Perch, Horseshoe Leatherjacket, Zebrafish, Senator Wrasse, Maori Wrasse 6/12/ Horseshoe Leatherjacket, Six-Spined Leatherjacket, Longfin Pike, Snapper, Yellowtail Scad 6/12/ Six-Spined Leatherjacket, Victorian Scalyfin, Goatfish Southern Blue Devil, Common (or Weedy) Seadragon Pot Belly Seahorse, Bastard Trumpeter Brown Striped Leatherjacket, Yellow Striped Leatherjacket, Mosaic Leatherjacket, Black Banded Seaperch Cuttlefish, Ornate Cowfish, Shaw's Cowfish 6/12/ Old Wife Dusky Morwong, Horseshoe Leatherjacket 29/11/ Fiddler Ray, Toadfish Pigmy Leatherjacket, Whiting, Pipefish 5/12/ Zebrafish, Sea Sweep, Blue-throat Wrasse Bastard Trumpeter, Eastern Blue Groper, Port Jackson Sharks 31/10/ Senator Wrasse, Maori Wrasse Western Blue Groper 31/10/ Magpie Perch, Six-spined Leatherjacket, Zebrafish, Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep, Senator Wrasse Southern Blue Devil, school of Red Morwong 31/10/ Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep Southern Blue Devil, Bastard Trumpeter 31/10/ Herring Cale, Six-Spine Leatherjacket, Zebrafish, Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep, Senator Wrasse Southern Blue Devil, Bastard Trumpeter 31/10/ Victorian Scalyfin, Old Wife Ornate Cowfish, Shaw s Cowfish 31/10/ Magpie Perch, Senator Wrasse, Maori Wrasse Western Blue Groper 1/11/ Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep, Maori Wrasse Velvet Fish 1/11/ Zebrafish, Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep, Saddled Wrasse Bastard Trumpeter 14/11/ Zebrafish, Old Wife Ornate Cowfish, Shaw s Cowfish 15/11/ Six-Spined Leatherjacket, Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep, Saddled Wrasse Southern Blue Devil Fish, Bastard Trumpeter 15/11/ Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep, Saddled Wrasse Bastard Trumpeter 28/11/ Six-Spined Leatherjacket, Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep, Saddled Wrasse 28/11/ Horseshoe Leatherjacket, Six-Spined Leatherjacket, Zebrafish, Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep Common (or Weedy) Seadragon Common (or Weedy) Seadragon 6/12/ Silver Sweep, Blue-throat Wrasse Bluelined Leatherjacket, Rock Lobsters RESULTS 17

18 TABLE 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 Warrnambool Breakwater Merri Marine Sanctuary, near Warrnambool Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary Lorne Pier La Bella Wreck (boat dive site from Warrnambool) 800m South of Middle Island ("Gary's spot") Daktari Surf and Dive Daktari Surf and Dive Daktari Surf and Dive Friends of Eagle Rock/Parks Victoria Lorne-Aireys Inlet p-12 School/Ecologic Warrnambool Sub Aqua Club Warrnambool Sub Aqua Club 5/12/ Magpie Perch, Six-spined Leatherjacket, Zebrafish, Old Wife, Blue-throat Wrasse 6/12/ Magpie Perch, Zebrafish, Blue-throat Wrasse, Saddled Wrasse, Weed Ash, Yellowtail, Abalone 6/12/ Dusky Morwong, Banded Morwong, Magpie Perch, Bastard Trumpeter, Zebrafish, Old Wife, Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep, Blue-throat Wrasse, Saddled Wrasse Bastard Trumpeter, Ornate Cowfish 22/11/ Magpie Perch, Yellow-striped Leatherjacket Senator Wrasse Bastard Trumpeter, Common (or Weedy) Seadragon, Bull Ray, Eagle Ray, Wobbegong, Port Jackson Shark, Cuttle Common (or Weedy) Seadragon, Ornate Cowfish, Shaw's Cowfish 7/12/ Horseshoe Leatherjacket Shaw's Cowfish, Long-snouted Boarfish 13/12/ Horseshoe Leatherjacket, Sea Sweep, Bluethroat Wrasse, Saddled Wrasse, Senator Wrasse 13/12/ Bullseye fish, Magpie Perch, Zebrafish, Old Wife, Rock Lobsters 18 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 RESULTS

19 RESULTS 19

20 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 RESULTS

21 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

22 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 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. 22 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 CONCLUSION

23 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. 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. CONCLUSION 23

24 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 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 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 Victoria s marine protected areas. Magpie Perch, Leatherjackets, Victorian Scalyfin, Zebrafish, Sea Sweep, Blue-throat Wrasse and Senator Wrasse were 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. 24 GREAT CAUGHT VICTORIAN ON CAMERA FISH A COUNT Community 2015 Monitoring Project in the Wimmera Region CONCLUSION REFERENCES

25 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 Purcell, L n.d., Changes in Victoria s marine ecosystems, Redmap Australia, viewed 1 February 2016, org.au/article/changes-in-victoriasmarine-ecosystems/ APPENDIX REFERENCES 25

26 7.0 APPENDIX 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. LOCATION (SURVEY BY) MORNINGTON PENINSULA Rye Pier (Dive and Dive) 1-5 > Rye Pier, first survey (Scuba Culture) Rye Pier, second survey (Scuba Culture) Rye Pier, third survey (Scuba Culture) Blairgowrie Pier (Diveline) Blairgowrie Pier (Ocean Divers) Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary (Marine Care Ricketts Point) Ricketts Point 'Yacht Club end' (Sandringham College Year 7s) Flinders Pier (Melb Uni Underwater Club Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary, near Flinders (Friends of Mushroom Reef) Mornington Pier (Harbour Dive) Mornington Pier (MONUC-MASC) BELLARINE PENINSULA Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary (Friends of Barwon Bluff/Parks Vic) PORT PHILLIP BAY Popes Eye, North side (Friends of Beware Reef) Popes Eye, South side (Friends of Beware Reef) South Channel Fort East (Friends of Beware Reef) South Channel Fort West (Friends of Beware Reef) > > > Ozone Wreck (Friends of Beware Reef) 1-5 Light of the Age (Friends of Beware Reef) Cottage by the Sea (Friends of Beware Reef) Point Franklin (Friends of Beware Reef) Portsea Pier Reef (Friends of Beware Reef) Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary, Point Cook (Marine Care Point Cooke) Castle Rock (RMIT Underwater Club) Capel Sound Reef (VSAG) Hurricane Wreck - survey 1 (VSAG) >20 >20 > > Hurricane Wreck - survey 2 (VSAG) 6-20 >20 > Hurricane Wreck - survey 3 (VSAG) Reef off Mentone (VSAG) Jawbone Marine Sanctuary (Jawbone Marine Sanctuary Care) Dusky Morwong Red Morwong Banded Morwong Magpie Perch Bastard Trumpeter Herring Cale Horseshoe Leatherjacket Six-spined Leatherjacket Southern Blue Devil Ornate Cowfish Shaw s Cowfish 26 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 APPENDIX

27 > > > > > > >20 > > >20 >20 > > >20 > >20 > >20 >20 > > > > > >20 >20 > >20 > > > > > >20 > > Victorian Scalyfin Zebrafish Old Wife Long-snouted Boarfish Sea Sweep Silver Sweep Blue-throat Wrasse Saddled Wrasse Senator Wrasse Maori Wrasse Western Blue Groper Eastern Blue Groper Harlequin Fish Common (or Weedy) Seadragon APPENDIX 27

28 LOCATION (SURVEY BY) EAST VICTORIA Shack Bay, Bunurong Marine National Park, near Inverloch (SGCS) Wilsons Prom - Dannevig N/W (S.E.A.L Diving ) Wilsons Prom - Tongue Point (S.E.A.L Diving ) Wilsons Prom - Bum Rock (S.E.A.L Diving ) Wilsons Prom - Norman Point (S.E.A.L Diving ) Wilsons Prom - Pillar Point (S.E.A.L Diving ) Wilsons Prom - Landing North of Pillar Point (S.E.A.L Diving ) Wilson Prom - Great Glennie (S.E.A.L Diving ) Wilsons Prom - Ramsbotham (S.E.A.L Diving ) Cape Paterson - Browns Bay Shore (S.E.A.L Diving ) Cape Woolamai - 3 Sisters (S.E.A.L Diving ) Cape Woolamai - SE Point (S.E.A.L Diving ) Cape Woolamai - Teeth (S.E.A.L Diving ) Cape Woolamai - 'Sponge Gardens' (S.E.A.L Diving ) Cape Woolamai - Middle Point (S.E.A.L Diving ) WEST VICTORIA Pea Soup, Port Fairy (Daktari Surf and Dive) Warrnambool Breakwater (Daktari Surf and Dive) Merri Marine Sanctuary, near Warrnambool (Daktari Surf and Dive) Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary, near Aireys Inlet (Friend of Eagle Rock) Lorne Pier (Lorne-Aireys Inlet P-12, grade 6) La Bella Wreck, near Warrnambool (Warrnambool Sub Aqua Club) 800m South of Middle Island, "Gary's spot" (Warrnambool Sub Aqua Club) > > >20 > > > > >20 > > >20 >20 >20 > Dusky Morwong Red Morwong Banded Morwong Magpie Perch Bastard Trumpeter Herring Cale Horseshoe Leatherjacket Six-spined Leatherjacket Southern Blue Devil Ornate Cowfish Shaw s Cowfish 28 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 APPENDIX