Divers take the plunge for the Great Victorian Fish Count

Friday, 3 December 2010

Media release

Hundreds of volunteer divers will suit up and plunge into Victoria's marine waters over the next two weeks for the Great Victorian Fish Count. The annual event, run by Reef Watch Victoria, will see around 200 divers and 200 snorkellers take to the water at 25 sites from East Gippsland to Portland to count fish and take a snapshot of our marine environment's health. The Victorian National Parks Association's Reef Watch coordinator Wendy Roberts said this year's count will be the largest in the event's history, with more volunteers than ever taking part, including schools, community conservation groups and dive clubs.

A diver consults his fish chart as part of the Great Victorian Fish Count.

Hundreds of volunteer divers will suit up and plunge into Victoria's marine waters over the next two weeks for the Great Victorian Fish Count.

The annual event, run by Reef Watch Victoria, will see around 200 divers and 200 snorkellers take to the water at 25 sites from East Gippsland to Portland to count fish and take a snapshot of our marine environment's health.

The Victorian National Parks Association's Reef Watch coordinator Wendy Roberts said this year's count will be the largest in the event's history, with more volunteers than ever taking part, including schools, community conservation groups and dive clubs.

"Since it is the International year of Biodiversity, it's wonderful to see so many new groups joining in this year's Fish Count to help celebrate and investigate the variety of life in our seas," she said.

"This year we'll be surveying several new locations, including the Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary, the Grotto and Dragon's Lair in the Port Phillip Heads, and Eagle Rock at Airey's Inlet.

"All of the volunteer divers taking part in the Great Victorian Fish Count are contributing to a long-term project of great significance when it comes to understanding changes in marine biodiversity," Ms Roberts said.

"They are building on our knowledge of our marine areas and can help us track changes that might otherwise go unnoticed."

Ms Roberts said Victorian waters were incredibly diverse and beautiful, and contained a large number of fish and marine plant species found nowhere else in the world.

"But our amazing fish and the marine world they depend on are experiencing significant pressures, like pollution, introduced pests, coastal development and now climate change, which is compounding all the other threats.

"If we want to ensure our unique and beautiful marine life can survive, we need to better understand and care for this delicate underwater world.

"The divers participating in today's Great Victorian Fish Count are helping to increase our knowledge and understanding, and are making a great contribution to the marine environment."

The Great Victorian Fish Count has been running every year since 2005 and is coordinated by Reef Watch Victoria, funded by Coast Care. Its supporters include the Victorian National Parks Association, Museum Victoria, the Australian Marine Conservation Society and participating dive clubs and community groups.

For comment

• Contact Wendy Roberts on 0438 776 607 or email wroberts@museum.vic.gov.au. Local photo opportunities can be arranged in some areas - call Wendy for details.

 

For background information visit the Reef Watch website.
Find out more about the need for greater marine protection in Victoria.