MLSSA
NEWSLETTER
No. 238   October 1997
"understanding, enjoying & caring for our oceans"

President's Report
Fish Collecting Database

Phill McPeake has generated a Database so that we can keep a detailed record of all fish collected on dives. We will be starting the record with the June long weekend and adding to it as we go along. In the past we have had hard copy records but they have been difficult to maintain. It is important that all details are given to me as soon after a dive as possible so I can maintain the Database. This is in accordance with our Ethics Code which we recently published .


October Long Weekend

We have been asked to provide a display at Edithburgh on Sunday 5th October when the main street will be used for a Gala Day event. Dave Brooksby, of Southern Diving, will be taking his bus over and has generously offered us some display space inside the bus. Anyone from MLSSA who is over there is invited to help with the exhibition and talk to visitors.

Philip Hall


October General Meeting

This month's meeting will be held at our usual meeting place, the Conservation Centre at 8 pm on Wednesday 16th July. Our guest speaker will be Mark Staniforth, a Marine Archaeologist from Flinders University. His students have been surveying the many historic shipwrecks in Garden Island's ship graveyard. He will be discussing Historic Shipwrecks in Australia and the work of preserving and protecting them. Heritage trails and legislation will also be covered. We hope all members will attend what should be an excellent introduction to wrecks and wreck diving.


Anniversaries

Our Journal is now 18 years old this month and Geoff Mower has now been a member for twenty years. Congratulations Geoff.


Oil Spill Off Port Lincoln

On July 18th an oil spill caused three separate slicks near Port Lincoln. The three slicks were between Point Boston and Louth Island. They were each estimated to measure about 500m by 60m. The Transport Department believed that the oil had been deliberately pumped from a vessel such as a fishing boat. An analysis of the slicks suggested that a small vessel had pumped its bilge water into the sea. The crews of vessels operating in the area were interviewed by the Department in an attempt to find the culprit. A Department spokesman said that the offenders could be fined $500,000. Port Lincoln's tuna fishermen said that a spill has the potential to cause their industry major problems, particularly for tuna farms off Louth Bay.


Birds & Marine Life Washed Up Dead

In the week leading up to the above mentioned oil spill, penguins, cormorants, cuttlefish, leatherjackets and pufferfish were being washed up dead along the east coast of the Eyre Peninsula. Authorities said that the deaths were, however, not connected with the oil spill. At least 23 dead penguins with no sign of physical injury were found. The nearest rookery is 40km away on the Sir Joseph Banks Group of islands. Dead cormorants showed signs of dehydration and internal haemorrhaging. Investigators said that dead fish washing up on the shore was a natural occurrence in the area (!) but that the number of dead birds was unusual.

Steve Reynolds


Ships Graveyard

This was the interesting heading for a letter in the Advertiser of 5/7/97. An honours student, Nathan Richards, of Flinders University was seeking information on the history of the 24 wrecks in the ship graveyard in the North Arm of the Port River. This is particularly fascinating in view of the speaker we are to hear this month.

Philip Hall


Last Month's Meeting

The attendance at our September General Meeting was reasonable considering that none of our members from Yorke Peninsula were able to attend. We were joined by another visitor. It was Sean Abel this time. He works at the Mortlock Library and had read our Newsletters there. Our newly acquired Royal Show ribbons and certificates were on display. Jonathon congratulated all those that contributed. Ralph was elected as a second delegate to the Scuba Divers Federation. We heard the recent reply from Rob Kerin about seadragon permits and the state fish logo. A follow-up letter is being drafted by the committee. Our President now has an email address "on" the Internet through Cobweb (philip@cobweb.com.au). David gave away more saltbushes (Ruby & Seaberry Saltbush).

After the drink break we heard a talk by Brendan Lay from the Coromandel Valley Community Association. Brendan spoke about the Association's work building trash racks on the Sturt River and monitoring them. The Sturt River flows into the Patawalonga which needs this kind o help. Brendan showed some slides and overhead sheets to illustrate his talk. As foreshadowed in last month's newsletter, the talk led to some interesting discussions.

Thanks again Brendan for being our September guest speaker.

Steve Reynolds


Glenelg Barges Fish List

Unfortunately, due to an oversight, the updated list of fish sighted by David Muirhead on the Glenelg Barges did not indicate which species are featured in our Photo Index. We may try to rectify this later.

Steve Reynolds

Photo Index Officer 1997-8


Dive Report

Have you ever visited Wool Bay on the Yorke Peninsula??

While making our way down to dive at the popular Edithburgh jetty, looking for other dive sites possibilities on the way as we often do on trips, Jonathon and I dropped into Wool Bay. A short dirt road led down to a jetty of average length, with an old kiln on the opposite side of the car park attesting to it's age and original purpose. Along with colourful cliffs to the south, and the large Port Giles grain jetty in the distance, this is quite a picturesque spot.

The jetty looked to be a worthwhile dive, and did not let us down. We were well-protected from the strong south-westerly winds blowing that day, and only had to watch out for couple a fishermen's lines (unlike most other jetties on Yorke Peninsula, which usually host many fishers). The water was cold (10ºC), but we were blessed with very good visibility (around 12m).

With the Royal Adelaide Show looming, we were on the lookout for suitable critters to grace the aquarium that MLSSA has entered (and MLSSA's permanent tank afterwards). We found the most beautiful, large orange-red anemone (Actinia australis?), and caught a couple of Pygmy Leatherjackets (which always do well in aquaria), a Dragnet and an indignant Globefish. Many Short-tailed Ceratosoma (a pretty Nudibranch) were spotted grazing among the pylon growth, of which 3 were collected. I even saw my first Seahorse and Pipefish in the wild!

What astounds me most of all is the difference between the Wool Bay jetty marine-life community and that of Edithburgh jetty; two sites that are in close proximity and have very similar physical characteristics. The abundance and types of species of both invertebrates and fish at Wool Bay were noticeably different to those I saw at Edithburgh, only two months ago! For example, the pylons of Wool Bay jetty were not as well-decorated with colourful sponges etc as Edithburgh jetty.

So if you're over that way, I would recommend a visit to Wool Bay for a dive or snorkel, or just to admire it's scenery and history.

Sharon Drabsch

MLSSA Diving Officer


More About Leafy Seadragons

In our November 1979 issue of the MARIA Journal (Vol.1, No.2) Paul Oaklands wrote an article titled "The South Australian Leafy Sea Dragon". In that article Paul said that there was an "other sea-dragon species in the Phycodurus genus". He said that this species was Phycodurus eques glaverti which "is often referred to as Glavert's Sea-Dragon". This comment has had me puzzled and intrigued for the past 18 years. Paul said that "As with the Leafy Sea-Dragon, the Glavert Dragon has its body and trunk enveloped in leafy appendages, but there are no filaments on the snout or lower jaw. There are no spines above the eyes nor on the tail-section associated with the dorsal fin. It is generally a reddy brown with no transverse white facial stripes." I repeated these comments in my article "The Leafy Seadragon, Phycodurus eques" in our MLSSA Journal No.2 (August 1991). When I recently referred to "Fishes of Australia's South Coast" I found that Phycodurus glauerti (not glaverti) was given as a pseudonym for the Leafy Seadragon. In 1939 G.Whitley called a variation of the Leafy Seadragon Glauert's sea-dragon, Phycodurus glauerti. It seems that Whitley's P.glauerti came from Rottnest Island, WA (according to "Indo-Pacific Pipefishes" by C.E. Dawson). Terry Sim at the SA Museum tells me that ichthyologists (fish researchers) have now decided that there is only the one species of Phycodurus and that is the Leafy. Many thanks to Terry for his assistance in this matter.


Ichthyologists Make Mistakes Too

The above article indirectly points out that ichthyologists (just like newspapers) can make mistakes. The caption for a Leafy Seadragon picture in C.E. Dawson's "Indo-Pacific Pipefishes" says "Victoria Harbour, South Australia". This should probably be "Victor Harbor". In "Fishes of Australia's South Coast" an incorrect spelling was incorrectly typed correctly. i.e. Phyllopteryx (sic) elongatus. "Phyllopteryx" was correct and the incorrect word should have been "Phillopteryx". "Indo-Pacific Pipefishes" says that Phycodurus eques "is known from South Australia and from Cape Le Grand and Rottnest Island in Western Australia (Fig.237)." Fig.237 shows P.eques as occurring at Cape Le Grand (near Esperance, WA) but not at Rottnest Island. It seems to suggest instead that the Weedy Seadragon, Phyllopteryx taeniolatus, occurs at Rottnest Island. P.taeniolatus is said to occur in WA at Albany and Geographe Bay. Rottnest Island is about 200km north of Geographe Bay.

Steve Reynolds

Dragon Search Officer


Handfish

Jim Thistleton of Western River, Kangaroo Island told me recently of a peculiar little fish he found while diving K.I.'s north coast, which by his description must have been a handfish.

Perusing the books, there are only two species recorded in S.A., the Australian Handfish and the Warty Handfish.

Handfishes are a small family of fishes, family Brachionicythidae, endemic to Australia's southern waters, notably Tasmania.

They are small, slow moving fishes with, as their name suggests, hand-like pectoral fins which they use for walking across the substrate.

They are closely related to Angler Fishes and appear to adapt well to aquaria.

They are very photogenic and I eagerly await an encounter with one of these frog-skinned denizens, which rarely exceed 10cm in length.

David Muirhead

3/6/97


Ballast Water

On Friday 20th June the 7.30 Report carried the story of an Australian invention to kill organisms in the ballast water of ships. It is a simple method of heating the ballast water inside the hull to kill any creatures. It does away with the need for ships to discharge and then refill their tanks near the destination port. This is a great cost saving for the shipping company and the system can be fitted in Australian ports.

Philip Hall


Artificial Reefs

In the July edition of Reefwatcher, two views on the establishment of artificial reefs were printed. This is in response to the Environment, Resources and Development Committee inquiry into the establishment of a network of artificial reefs off the South Australian coast. The recommendations will be put to State Parliament later this year. This month we publish the views of the Scuba Divers Federation (SDF). Last month we published the views of SARDI Aquatic Sciences.

SDF have long considered the establishment of artificial reefs, in various forms, as important for the economic benefits in regard to Dive Tourism, but also to re-establish badly degraded reef systems throughout the gulfs.

With the move to increased development along our coasts the natural reefs are deteriorating to the point that they may not recover. Fish stocks throughout the gulfs are declining. Seagrasses are receding and reef systems such as Aldinga Reef can only be described as dying.

Artificial reefs play an important role by creating alternative ecosystems that can lower the pressure being experienced on our natural reefs. The gulfs of SA are composed mainly of sand and mud with isolated reef outcrops. These isolated reefs are very important as they are the only areas providing shelter and spawning grounds for a majority of marine species. By introducing artificial reefs we canprovide a corridor for fish species to move from area to area and provide additional ecosystems to encourage the reintroduction of such species as blue groper, sharks and barracouta which are not seen locally anymore. The disappearance of these predator species should be seen as an indicator of the health of our gulfs.

By placing artificial reefs further offshore we may be able to limit the impact of stormwater and pollutants on the existing systems by providing a larger area for the local species to expand into.

SDF has been actively pursuing the acquisition and sinking of the derelict tugboat R. T. TANCREED for some time. This vessel and others like her would be a considerable draw for interstate divers. Our gulfs are ideal places to foster and promote Dive Tourism as we have an easily accessible coastline and shallow water, allowing extended dive times.

Artificial reefs can be constructed at minimal capital cost but the ongoing benefits will continue for many years to come. As has been demonstrated overseas steel hulled vessels have an economic life of seventy years plus and concrete structures are expected to last several hundred years.

It has been stated that concrete is not suitable for construction as it does not promote growth. This is because the pH of concrete is not the same as sea water but this can be varied at the time of construction or allowed to weather in the rain for six months.

We view the establishment of artificial reefs as important and would encourage the formation of a dedicated group with Government support and input to coordinate any future reef developments. We understand that some agencies view artificial reefs as aggregation devices but overseas experience proves the opposite.

Mark Durnell

Secretary SDF


Oar Fish or is it Oarfish ?

The International Express of Wednesday May 28th 1997, carried the story and picture of the capture of a 25 foot long Oarfish off the Bahamas last year.

The report stated that, " the shy creatures - believed to be the leviathans that terrified ancient mariners - live in warm waters throughout the world". The article went on to say that living examples have been rarely seen. Wildlife experts have now filmed the live creature in the Bahamas for the first time. American photographer Brian Skerry said that, " it was about 10ft long with a flat shiny body - at the top of its head were several long thin structures which formed a crest. Instead of swimming like a fish it hung vertically in the water". BBC Wildlife will publish the first pictures of the living fish.

The Oar Fish is recorded in "The Marine and Freshwater Fishes of South Australia" ( Scott, Glover and Southcott). The length is recorded as to 5 metres and is "found in all Australian States except the Northern Territory". Under remarks we have, "It has been suggested that the Oar Fish may have been responsible for some reports of sea serpents".

"Sea Fishes of Southern Australia" (Hutchins and Swainston) records that the Oarfish "prefers oceanic conditions far offshore, but occasionally is found in estuaries and large coastal bays. Circum - Australia. It has a maximum length of 11 metres".

"The Marine and Estuarine Fishes of South-western Australia" (Hutchins and Thompson), records the Oar Fish being washed up on beaches and inhabiting the Southern half of Australia to at least Rottnest Island in WA.

Philip Hall


Fishwatch

The Advertiser of 5/7/97 carried the illustrated article on the seizure of more than 170 kg of large snapper off Port Broughton in June. Other recent offences were also reported including the seizure of squid and abalone. A total of 3688 calls to the Fishwatch number (1800 065 522) have been made in the last twelve months.

Philip Hall


An Internet Success

Ralph Richardson recently brought an article in the Alert Diver magazine to my attention. This is produced by the Divers Alert Network. The story concerned the illegal taking of abalone off the coast of California. It seems that the local judges were not inclined to treat the poaching as a very serious offence. (Sounds familiar?) A Californian diver, Rocky Daniels, decided to do something about it. He organised a campaign on the Internet which stirred up much interest in the diving fraternity and resulted in some hefty fines and jail sentences for the poachers. He is maintaining the pressure on judges through the Internet by publishing trial details to try to ensure that they recognise the seriousness of poaching.

A California Department of Fish and Game biologist, Kon Karpov, had been in charge of a database on sport abalone catches over a 20 year period. This data collection had ceased due to financial restraints, so Daniels and other concerned sport divers restarted it and incorporated an education programme. This is helping to preserve the Californian fishery.


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