A r t i f i c i a l R e e f s : O a s e s f o r M a r i n e L i f e ? at the naturaliste m arine discovery centre

Monday 1 February to Friday 30 A p r i l 2 0 1 0 A rt i f i c ia l R e e f s : Oa s e s f o r M a r i n e L i f e ? Naturaliste Marine Discovery Centre Monday 1 February to Friday 30 April 2010

Artificial Reefs: Oases for Marine Life? underwater photographic exhibition shows how readily man-made structures in the marine environment are colonised by marine life. Presented by the Western Australian Underwater Photographic Society (WAUPS), the exhibition is part of the FotoFreo Fringe exhibitions, which in turn is part of the City of Fremantle, Festival of Photography – a biennial international festival showcasing photography from around the world. WAUPS is a non-profit organisation, which aims is to enhance the photographic skills of members through sharing technical knowledge and field techniques, and to promote the enjoyment and protection of the marine environment. The organisation is a group of passionate marine photographers, which have a range of backgrounds – if you are interested in discovering more about WAUPS you should visit www.waups.org.au.

The way people interact with our coastal and marine environments are diverse. Some interactions are positive and some negative, and sometimes a negative interaction may turn into a positive in the future (and vice versa). Structures of human origin entering coastal and marine environments (sometimes referred to as artificial reefs) are one type of interaction. If you’re a fisher, you may think that artificial reefs are useful fish aggregation areas, which is great for fishing. For a surfer, they can be used to enhance natural wave formations to improve surfing conditions. Construction of artificial reefs may also be designed to assist in coastal protection; or the sinking of wrecks can be used as a dive site to promote tourism. Artificial reefs may not be built for a specific purpose, but rather be a consequence of other human interactions with our marine environment. For example, the construction of coastal structures such wharfs, marinas and jetties, or the accidental sinking of ships, can subsequently promote the colonisation of marine life. These can all be considered as artificial reefs – however their origin, purpose and material of construction are all very different. Artificial reefs mean different things to different people and depending on your viewpoint, discussions with friends and colleagues may become contentious. Although structures of human origin are generally colonised by marine life, is this at the expense of marine life that were previously utilising the original habitat? Artificial structures often provide additional habitat that is usually physically different from the natural environment. Although such structures can be detrimental to local marine ecology when first introduced, they can eventually become havens for marine life, resulting in increased abundance and diversity in the region. For example, the Busselton Jetty is home to more than 300 species of marine life including , sponges, fish and a variety of invertebrates. Large schools of yellowtail scad (Trachurus novaezelandiae) are common under the shelter of the jetty. Cover image: Yellowtail scad (Trachurus novaezelandiae), Busselton Jetty. Photo: Eva Boogaard

Shipwrecks have become havens for a variety of marine life, such as HMAS Swan in Dunsborough, HMAS Perth in Albany, South Tomi in Geraldton, Gundrun in Shark Bay and the Helmet Wreck, in Palau, from World War II.

Common lionfish (Pterois volitans), Helmet Wreck, Palau, Micronesia. Photo: Shannon Conway

Other man-made objects, including discarded shopping trolleys and moorings, may also create an alternative habitat for some species. West Australian seahorse (Hippocampus subelongatus) on shopping trolley, Ammunition Jetty, Coogee. Photo: Tammy Gibbs E x h i b i t i o n P r i n t L i s t

No: Description Photographer 1 Yellowtail scad, Busselton Jetty. Eva Boogaard 2 Telesto nudibranch, Busselton Jetty. Tammy Gibbs 3 Blue-spotted nudibranch, Ammunition (Ammo) Jetty, Coogee. Tammy Gibbs 4 Jetty Piles, Busselton Jetty. Ann Storrie 5 School of bullseyes, Busselton Jetty. Ann Storrie 6 Mosaic leatherjacket, Busselton Jetty. Ann Storrie 7 Cowry, Robbs Jetty, South Fremantle. Danny Messom 8 Crayfish Danny Messom 9 Octopus Karl Fehlauer 10 Old wives, Busselton Jetty. Shannon Conway 11 Shark silhouette near jetty Judy O’Brien 12 Telesto , Swan Wreck, Dunsborough. Ann Storrie 13 Crows nest, Swan Wreck, Dunsborough. Chris S 14 Eel, Rockingham wrecks, Rockingham. Danny Messom 15 Boat wreck, Sipadan, . Danny Messom 16 Sponges, Wreck, Truk Lagoon. Micronesia. Shannon Conway 17 Scorpionfish, Truk Lagoon, Micronesia. Shannon Conway 18 Blenny, Bootless Bay, Loluatu, Papua New Guinea. Shannon Conway 19 Trevally, Liberty Wreck, , Bali. Shannon Conway 20 Common lionfish, Helmet Wreck, Palau, Micronesia. Shannon Conway 21 Midnight snapper, Liberty Wreck, Tulamben, Bali. Tammy Gibbs 22 Giant barracuda, Liberty Wreck, Tulamben, Bali. Tammy Gibbs 23 Pygmy seahorse, Liberty Wreck, Tulamben, Bali Tammy Gibbs 24 Crab on whip coral, Liberty Wreck, Tulamben, Bali. Tammy Gibbs 25 Blenny, Swan Wreck, Dunsborough. Tammy Gibbs 26 Jewel anemones, Perth Wreck, Albany. Tammy Gibbs 27 Yellow fish, Liberty Wreck, Tulamben, Bali. Eva Boogaard 28 Wreck mast, Truk Lagoon, Micronesia. Bill Brogan 29 Fish in plane interior, Truk Lagoon, Micronesia. Shannon Conway 30 Hard corals on upside down plane. Shannon Conway 31 Plane Propellor, Truk Lagoon, Micronesia. Shannon Conway 32 Coral on plane wing, Papua New Guinea. Vivien Matson-Larkin 33 Plane Propellor, Papua New Guinea. Vivien Matson-Larkin 34 Oil rig silhouette, South China Sea. Sue Morrison 35 Red crab on oil rig, South China Sea Sue Morrison 36 Nudibranchs on oil rig, South China Sea. Sue Morrison 37 Anthias on oil rig, South China Sea. Ann Storrie 38 Blenny with eggs on oil rig, South China Sea. Ann Storrie 39 Grey nurse shark, Key Biscayne Oil Rig, Lancelin. Jenny Ough 40 Bicycles, Four Mile , Busselton. Emilie Mas 41 Shrimp in shoe, Puri Jati, Bali. Emilie Mas 42 Anglerfish on mooring, Tanjung Jepun, Bali. Emilie Mas 43 Seahorse on shopping trolley, Ammunition (Ammo) Jetty, Coogee. Tammy Gibbs 44 Mating bubble shells on mooring, Swan River, Perth. Jenny Ough

If you are interested in purchasing any of the prints please contact Sue Morrison, WAUPS president m: 0412 228 861 e: [email protected]

Naturaliste Marine Discovery Centre

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY