True blue and counting: fish count gears up to monitor Victoria's bluest and rarest
Friday, 2 December 2011
Media release
This weekend more than 300 divers and snorkellers will plunge into Victoria's spectacular marine environment for the annual Great Victorian Fish Count, which kicks off on Saturday and runs for two weeks.
"This year all things blue will be on the Fish Count radar because sometimes the wonders of the deep blue sea are, well, as blue as that sea," Victorian National Parks Association's Reef Watch co-ordinator Wendy Roberts said today.
"Take the Blue Groper for example, recently placed under temporary protection in 2011, divers in the Great Victorian Fish Count will be on the look out to see what numbers are out there.
"Known for its friendly and curious manner, this iconic fish lives for up to 70 years, swimming among the myriad of colourful algal reefs along our coast where it seeks out sea urchins, molluscs and crustaceans."
The Friends of Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary at Barwon Heads have spotted a Blue Groper for the past three years during the count and it is very likely they will see it again - this territorial fish rarely leaves its home range.
"The annual Fish Count and the volunteers that make the project possible are very important because they bring to the surface information on the fish species that can be found along Victoria's coasts," Ms Roberts said.
"One rare fish that hasn't been confirmed during the count is the Harlequin Fish. This rainbow coloured fish was once found at the southern end of Port Phillip Bay but due to declining water quality we fear it may have left Victorian waters.
"Other blue marvels to be seen include the Bluethroat Wrasse, the most widely distributed and abundant fish in the count, and the picture-perfect Blue Devil.
"Last year's fish count lured in more than 400 divers across 22 locations. We expect this year's event to be even bigger."
Reef Watch is a program of the Victorian National Parks Association run in partnership with Museum Victoria.
Photo opportunity
Reef Watch Coordinator Wendy Roberts will be at Ricketts Point at 9am on Saturday December 3 to help the first divers into the water. Photo opportunities with divers can be be organised by calling Wendy Roberts on 0438 776 607.
For comment
Please contact VNPA Reef Watch Coordinator Wendy Roberts for comments on 0438 776 607. For media assistance contact VNPA Marine and Coastal Project Officer Simon Branigan, 0409 087 278.
