Fishing Australia

JOINT RESEARCH PROJECT TO STUDY CORAL AT JULIAN ROCKS

A collaborative research project, between the Cape Byron Marine Park and the Southern Cross University is under way, to investigate the health of coral communities at Julian Rocks, a popular dive spot located in the Cape Byron Marine Park.

The study is being led by Simon Hartley, from the university’s School of Environmental Science and Management. 

Mr Hartley said studies on tropical coral communities have shown that damage caused by divers may result in impacts such as reduced coral cover and an increased incidence of coral disease.

“If recreational diving is to maintain its popularity at Julian Rocks, the corals divers want to experience must be protected.  We need to understand the effects of recreational diving on the coral communities so we can ensure the ongoing future of this important resource,” Mr Hartley said.

“It may be that we need to provide more education for divers to ensure they are aware of the possible damage they can inflict through physical contact.”

The aims of the project, which is due to be completed at the end of 2009, include mapping the location of coral colonies;  recording the condition of selected coral species; and calculating the area of healthy and unhealthy coral present for each colony.

The corals, and other plants and animals around Julian Rocks will be studied, along with plants and animals which make up the soft sediment communities in the marine park.

Manager of the Cape Byron Marine Park Andrew Page said over the past few years the marine park had supported and worked with researchers from Southern Cross University on a number of projects in the park, including migrating humpback whales and the secret life of animals in deep water sandy habitats.
 “We look forward to the next round of research projects getting underway to help us and the public, better understand and protect this amazing marine environment. "
“The Cape Byron Marine Park extends from Brunswick Heads in the north to Lennox Head in the south. In the park are a range of beautiful exposed and sheltered sandy beaches, rocky shores and rocky reefs, submerged pinnacles, small rocky islands – like Julian Rocks – coral communities, riverine estuaries, coastal creeks and lakes and a variety of sandy seabed habitats.”
Mr Page said threatened marine species that occur in the park include little terns, grey nurse sharks and sea turtles.

GOODRADIGBEE RIVER

Allan Bell hit the Goodradigbee River recently and was surprised to find he had the whole place to himself.

The river certainly doesn’t have the size of fish that the spawn run fisheries like Thredbo and the Eucumbene River exhibit, but it is a good example of what the smaller creeks and rivers in Southern NSW can yield to the adventurous.

Allan waded from the fire shed gate down towards the bridge and back and caught a handful of small fat and stunningly marked brown trout.  Allan fished several other spots along the river on the way home and was again amazed to have each one to him self on a gloriously peaceful and sunny late autumn’s day.

AIRINE EXECUTIVE HITS REEF JACKPOT

After reading about some of my adventures in the Regional Express Magazine “Out There”, executive Warrick Lodge was only too happy to write in and let me know that he beat my PB red emperor with a stunning 10 kg specimen on his first drop.  That is a cracker of red in anyone’s books! 
Warrick and son Angus fished out of Noosa on what locals described as a one hundred day weather wise and the fishing matched with more quality emperor and other classy reef species hitting the ice as the day went on. To top things off a whale shark cruised nearby for all aboard to marvel at. A day like that has to be play of the week. 

See you on the water

Rob Paxevanos

Robs Column Brought to you by the Hellenic club of Canberra.