By Tilly Reynolds and Caitlin Griffith

By Tilly Reynolds and Caitlin Griffith VICTORIAN NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION The Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) helps shape the agenda for creating and managing national parks, conservation reserves and other important natural areas across land and sea in Victoria.

The VNPA works with all levels of government, the scientific community and the general community to achieve long term, best practice environmental outcomes.

The VNPA is also Victoria’s largest bushwalking club and provides a range of information, education and activity programs to encourage Victorians to get active for nature.

REEF WATCH Reef Watch is a citizen science program run by the VNPA. The program encourages divers and snorkellers to monitor marine life at their favourite dive sites. The project has been developed by the Australian Marine Conservation Society and the Marine and Coastal Community Network.

Reef Watch co-ordinates a number of marine conservation programs, including ‘Feral or in Peril’ and the Great Victorian Fish Count. In 2012 Reef Watch won the 2012 award for Excellence In Education from Victoria’s Coastal Council.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS VNPA: Chris Smyth, Caitlin Griffith, Heath Rickard, John Sampson, Victoria McClellan (volunteer).

Parks Victoria: Mark Rodrigue, Shannon Hurley, Stephen Tuohy, David Langmead, Jessica Strang and Pete Hay, Rob Hemsworth, Chris Hayward.

Coastcare Victoria: Philip Wierzbowszki.

Museum Victoria and Redmap Victoria: Mark Norman, Dianne Bray, Julian Finn, Robin Wilson.

Ecologic: Sharon Blum-Caon.

Participating groups: Daktari Surf and Dive, Dive and Dive, Diveline, Friends of Barwon Bluff, Friends of Beware Reef, Friends of Eagle Rock, Friends of Mushroom Reef, Harbour Dive, Jawbone Marine Sanctuary Care, Lorne-Aireys Inlet Primary School, Marine Care Point Cooke, Marine Care Ricketts Point, Melbourne University Underwater Club, Monash University Underwater Club, Ocean Divers, RMIT Underwater Club, Sandringham Secondary College, Scuba Culture, Scuba Diving Federation of Victoria, Sea All Dolphin Swims, S.E.A.L Diving Services, South Gippsland Conservation Society, Victorian Sub Aqua Club, Warrnambool Sub Aqua Club.

Cover photo: Southern Blue Devil Fish at Castle Rock, by Natalie Manahan.

2 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 CONTENTS PROJECT PARTNERS

Parks Victoria Parks Victoria’s responsibilities under the Parks Victoria Act 1998 are to manage the State’s parks, reserves, waterways and other public land including a representative system of terrestrial and marine national parks and marine sanctuaries. It is also the Local Port Manager for Port Phillip Bay, Western Port, and Port Campbell, and the Waterway Manager for the Yarra and Maribyrnong Rivers. Parks Victoria works in close partnership with other government and non-government organisations and community groups to manage parks and reserves and encourages community participation in these areas, including in all marine protected areas.

Parks Victoria’s philosophy of Healthy Parks Healthy Local conservation group Friends of Eagle Rock conducting their 2015 People promotes involvement in activities within parks. Great Victorian Fish Count Survey. Photo: Courtesy Parks Victoria This provides for both maintaining and improving health for individuals and the community as well as contributing to improving and better understanding Redmap the health of parks. Participation in the Great Victorian Redmap (Range Extension Database and Mapping Fish Count is a great example of this and for connecting project) is a national ‘citizen science’ site that captures people and communities with parks. data and maps marine species that may be extending their range in Australia in response to changes in the Coastcare Victoria marine environment. In Victoria, Redmap is hosted by Coastcare Victoria is a state-wide program run by the Museum Victoria and all recorded sightings are verified Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning by marine scientists. (DELWP). Coastcare Victoria facilitators work directly with these communities and connect communities with Museum Victoria government’s coastal management system - coastal Museum Victoria (MV) is Australia’s largest public and natural resource management planners, managers museum organisation. As the state museum for Victoria, of public land, local government and government MV is responsible for looking after the state collection programs targeting issues in coastal areas. of nearly 17 million specimens, objects, documents Regional facilitators are stationed at DELWP offices in and photographs. MV research, in the fields of science Warrnambool, Anglesea, Heidelberg and Yarram. Each and humanities, uses the museum’s expert staff and facilitator is responsible for supporting activities within collections to further what we know about the social and a designated stretch of coastline, and works to a local natural history of Victoria and beyond. work plan directed by this strategy. Regional facilitators work with groups, networks and coastal management partners, including regional coastal boards, catchment management authorities, local councils, Parks Victoria and the Victorian National Parks Association to achieve regional outcomes.

SUMMARY 3 CONTENTS

1. Summary ...... P5

2. Introduction ...... P6 2.1 Background ...... 6 2.2 Citizen Science and community participation and engagement ...... 6 2.3 Partnerships and relationships with local communities ...... 6 2.4 ‘Fish on the Move’ theme ...... 7

3. Methodology ...... P8 3.1 Survey Period ...... 8 3.2 Site selection ...... 8 3.3 Survey method ...... 11 3.4 Data analysis ...... 11

4. Results ...... P14 4.1 Great Victorian Fish Count summary results ...... 14 4.2 Survey site and weather conditions ...... 14

5. Conclusion ...... P22 5.1 Common species observed...... 22 5.2 Species of conservation interest and ‘Fish on the Move’ ...... 22 5.3 Site information ...... 23

6. References ...... P25

7. Appendix ...... P26 7.1 Table of the raw data in terms of the abundance of target species recorded at each of the 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count survey sites ...... 26 7.2Table with a breakdown of each site with the habitat types and site conditions on the day of surveying ...... 30 7.3Table of additional marine species recorded at survey locations as recorded by participating groups ...... 34

4 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 CONTENTS 1.0 SUMMARY

his was the eleventh year Tof the Great Victorian Fish Count and 23 registered groups took part. Approximately 350 participants were involved over the course of this year’s count and an impressive 44 different sites were surveyed along Victoria’s coastline.

Healthy levels of marine life were observed at many of the sites, particularly within Victoria’s marine national parks and sanctuaries. The most common species observed during the 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count were: Volunteer Victoria McClellan and Rob Timmers from SEAL Diving Services at Cape Woolamai. • Blue-throat Wrasse. Photo: Tilly Reynolds • Dusky Morwong. • Horse-shoe Leatherjacket. show up since its rediscovery Wilsons Promontory (the most • Magpie Perch. in Victoria in 2011. This year it eastern survey site in the 2015 • Old Wife. was recorded at Portsea Pier, Great Victorian Fish Count). • Silver Sweep. Wilsons Promontory and Popes The 2015 Great Victorian Fish • Sea Sweep. Eye in the Port Phillip Heads National Park. Count had the theme ‘Fish on • Senator Wrasse. the Move’ and participants kept • Six-spined Leatherjacket. • The unique Southern Blue Devil a keen eye out for any species was recorded at two survey • Victorian Scalyfin. that might be of interest. A sites in Port Phillip Bay as well participant was able to capture a • Zebrafish. as at Cape Woolamai and at Spinycoat Anglerfish on camera It was also encouraging to note Wilsons Promontory. in unusually shallow waters at that several species of particular • Another unique and endemic Blairgowrie Pier. The sighting was interest to the VNPA and the species to Victoria, the Weedy logged with Redmap and has marine monitoring community Seadragon, was observed since been verified by marine were observed at a number of in encouraging numbers at scientists at Museum Victoria. the sites as well: a number of different sites, While not photographed, the including Flinders Pier, Portsea Bastard Trumpeter was recorded • Two juvenile Eastern Blue Pier, Warrnambool Breakwater, at a number of the survey sites Gropers (a protected species) and this information has been were recorded at Mushroom Merri Marine Sanctuary, Cape Woolamai and Castle Rock in passed on to Redmap Victoria. Reef Marine Sanctuary. One Port Phillip Bay. We will continue to keep watch participant reported there for ‘Fish on the Move’ and were 20 juveniles observed a • The Bastard Trumpeter appears contribute any recordings to few days later at the same site, to continue being well spread Redmap Victoria. indicating successful breeding out across the Victorian in the area. coastline, with sightings recorded as far west as • Western Blue Gropers (also a protected species) continues to Warrnambool and as far east as

SUMMARY 5 2.0 INTRODUCTION

2.1 Background 2.2 Citizen Science local community groups and other participating groups. Parks The southern temperate waters and community Victoria has been a particularly that surround the Australian participation and valuable partner, coordinating continent are unique in that 90% engagement the surveys in Victoria’s marine of the marine life in the region is national parks and sanctuaries. not present anywhere else on the Citizen science is the involvement In 2015 we were pleased to planet. of untrained community also work with RedMap (Range members in scientific projects Extension and Database Mapping The Great Victorian Fish Count is through gathering data or project) for the first time. the largest marine citizen science involvement in project design. event in Victoria and is now in The Great Victorian Fish Count is All project partners bring great its 11th year. Over this time the largest marine citizen science benefit to the project through hundreds of divers have recorded event in Victoria. experience, knowledge, skills thousands of fish along the and connections. Project partner Victorian coast. The event is held Citizen science is a wonderful benefits include: annually with dive clubs, local opportunity for everyone to friends groups, schools and other learn more together. The Great • Scientific expertise. groups ‘taking a dive that counts’. Victorian Fish Count allows • Communications skills and The project is a ‘snapshot’ of a scientists, marine managers, knowledge. sample of fish species living in divers, snorkellers and community • Local, regional and state based the temperate coastal waters of members to all learn more about coastal and habitat knowledge. Victoria. By counting fish during the fish species in their local this window, the data collected waters. • Local, regional and state based allows an estimation of the fish knowledge In 2015 around 350 participants structure of fish communities were involved in collecting • Local community knowledge. around the coast at that time, data on fish species across the • Connection with local and then compared to future fish Victorian coastline. This high counts at the same time each communities and networks. intensity collection of data year. could not be collected by a • Skills, experience and qualifications in leading diving The Great Victorian Fish Count single scientist or small team of and snorkelling operations. aims to help passionate people scientists alone. Having 350 pairs take part in an event that of eyes recording fish species • Skills in managing citizen promotes active education, results in a major broad brush science. sweep of the fish species that are gathers valuable marine data, • Skills and experience in running and gives volunteers the chance inhabiting our coastal waters. training for participants. to reconnect with their local coastal environment. In turn, this With all of these pooled skills, creates understanding, awareness 2.3 Partnerships and knowledge and experience, it and co-operation between the relationships with local is possible to give the Great public, scientists, and government Victorian Fish Count a wide and agencies. communities experienced reach across the The Great Victorian Fish Count Victorian coast. Running the has been running for 11 years. project collaboratively we are all Over this time the project able to be more effective and all has been led by the VNPA continue to grow and learn more in partnership with Museum about our coastal communities, Victoria, Parks Victoria, Coastcare our coasts and our local fish Victoria and local dive operators, species.

6 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 INTRODUCTION Seal Diving Services geared up for the 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count. Photo: Rob Tinners

2.4 ‘Fish on the Move’ average (Lough & Hobday, 2011). Through working with Redmap Victoria in 2015, participants theme The East Australian Current is were able to report any unusual becoming stronger. Warmer, The theme for the 2015 Great saltier water is now found 350km sightings (such as the fish listed above) to Redmap. Victorian Fish Count was further south than it was 60 years ‘Fish on the Move’. We were ago and in the south-west of interested in how changes in our Australia waters are also moving marine environment, such as faster than other regions (Purcell ocean warming due to climate n.d., ‘Changes in Victoria’s marine change, might be affecting ecosystems’, para 2). fish populations and their distribution. As part of this theme we focused on six fish species as examples In the last hundred years, sea of ‘Fish on the Move’ in Victoria. surface temperatures around These were the Whitebarred Australia have risen by about Boxfish (which featured on our 0.6-0.74°C, and in south eastern posters and t-shirts), the Bastard Australia the increase in water Trumpeter, the Spotted Grubfish, temperature has been three to the Western Blue Groper, the four times that of the global Short Boarfish and the White-ear.

INTRODUCTION 7 3.0 METHODOLOGY

3.1 Survey period The Great Victorian Fish Count runs over three weekends in November and December every year. The date range of the 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count was Saturday 21 November to 6 December. Most of the surveying was conducted during this period, though some participating groups did postpone their event to later in December due to weather conditions.

There were also some preliminary Great Victorian Fish Count surveys conducted at Wilsons Adiver from RMIT’s Underwater Club consults their ID slate at Castle Rock. Photo: Natalie Promontory over the Melbourne Manahan Cup weekend. S.E.A.L Diving Services were able to conduct 8 providing greater flexibility for near Aireys Inlet. surveys over the weekend period, participating groups in the future. showcasing their enthusiasm for • “Gary’s spot”- 800m South of future surveying to take place Middle Island. there. This was part of an annual • La Bella Wreck (boat dive site dive event that is facilitated by 3.2 Site selection from Warrnambool). the SCUBA Diving Federation of • Lorne Pier. Victoria and involves numerous Surveys can take place anywhere along the Victorian coastline • Merri Marine Sanctuary, near local dive clubs and operators. and participating groups are Warrnambool. Now in its eleventh year, the responsible for choosing the • Pea Soup, Port Fairy. date range of the Great Victorian site for their Great Victorian • Warrnambool Breakwater. Fish Count was initially designed Fish Count activity. Groups are to coincide with the National encouraged to select a site that Bellarine Peninsula Coastcare Week, which is held in they are already highly familiar the first week of December. While with and will easily be accessible • Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary. there has been some feedback in the future. Participating groups Port Phillip Bay that the November/December are also responsible for the safety period is not ideal for some of of participants with them on the • Capel Sound Reef. the participating groups, it is day and must ensure that the • Castle Rock. important that the data collected appropriate safety checks are remains consistent and allows conducted prior to their Great • Cottage by the Sea. for the comparison of results Victorian Fish Count activity. • Hurricane Wreck. from previous years. Therefore • Jawbone Marine Sanctuary, near the Great Victorian Fish Count A list of the sites surveyed during Williamstown. is expected to continue being the 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count is as follows: • Light of the Age. held in the November/December • Mentone Reef. period, though the VNPA is Western Victoria considering expanding the date • Ozone. range to 4 weeks in the hope of • Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary, •Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary,

8 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 METHODOLOGY Pea Soup, Port Fairy Offshore Phillip Island NP Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary

Bunurong Marine National Park

Warrnambool Breakwater Marine National Parks Eagle Rock Marine Marine Sanctuaries Lee Breakwater Sanctuary Port Campbell Bay Merri Marine Sanctuary TASMAN SEA Jarosite Reef SOUTHERN OCEAN

BASS STRAIT

Jawbone Marine Sanctuary

Pt Cooke Marine Sanctuary Ricketts Pt Marine Sanctuary Mentone Reef Ozone Shipwreck

Cottage by South Channel Fort the Sea Mornington Pier Light of the Age Shipwreck

Popes Eye Hurricane Wreck Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary Capel Sound Reef Castle Rock Flinders Pier Portsea Pier Point Franklin

Blairgowrie Yacht Sqr Pier Mushroom Reef, Rye Pier Marine Sanctuary

Point Cook. • Flinders Pier. • Wilsons Promontory. • Point Franklin. • Mornington Pier. The majority of sites surveyed • Popes Eye, North. • Mushroom Reef Marine were in Port Philip Bay; Western • Popes Eye, South. Sanctuary (near Flinders). Victoria was also represented • Portsea Pier Reef. • Rye Pier. relatively well. It is worth noting however, that Eastern Victoria • Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary. Eastern Victoria was underrepresented in the • South Channel Fort East. • Cape Woolamai. 2015 Great Victorian Fish • South Channel Fort West. Count. This is partly due to poor • Cape Paterson. weather conditions, which saw Mornington Peninsula • Shack Bay, Bunurong Marine surveying cancelled at regularly • Blairgowrie Pier. National Park (near Inverloch). surveyed locations in the past,

METHODOLOGY 9 Old Wife. Photo John Gaskell

10 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 METHODOLOGY Blue devilﬁ Blue shes

Western Blue devilﬁ Blue shes Dusky Morwong (120cm) Blue Devil (36cm) Western Western Blue Groper (160cm) Dusky Morwong (120cm) Blue Devil devilﬁ Blue shes (36cm) Western Western Blue Groper (160cm) Dusky Morwong (120cm) Blue Devil (36cm) Red Western Blue Groper (160cm) Morwong (65cm)

Red Temperateboxfi shes Morwong (65cm) Morwongs Ornate Cowfi sh (15cm) Eastern Blue Groper (100cm) Temperateboxfi shes Red Morwongs Ornate Cowfi sh (15cm) Morwong (65cm) Eastern Blue Groper (100cm) Temperateboxfi shes Banded Morwongs Ornate Cowfi sh (15cm) Morwong (70cm) Eastern Blue Groper (100cm) Banded Morwong (70cm) Shaw’s Cowfi sh (25cm) Banded Morwong (70cm) Shaw’s Cowfi sh (25cm) Blue Throat Wrasse (50cm) Wrasses by Barry Damselfishes

Shaw’s Cowﬁ sh (25cm) Wrasses Magpie Perch (41cm) Blue Throat Wrasse (50cm) by Barry Damselﬁshes

Magpie Perch (41cm) Wrasses

2005 Blue Throat Wrasse (50cm) by Barry Victorian Scalyfi n (25cm) Damselfishes Trumpeter Magpie Perch (41cm) 2005 Victorian Scalyfi n (25cm) Trumpeter Bastard Trumpeter (65cm) Saddled Wrasse (45cm) Watch Victoria, 2005 Sea Fishes of Southern Australia

eef eef Victorian Scalyﬁ n (25cm) Bastard Trumpeter (65cm) Trumpeter Saddled Wrasse (45cm) Boarﬁshes Watch Victoria, © R Sea Fishes of Southern Australia eef eef Weed whiting Weed

Saddled WrasseBoarﬁshes (45cm) Bastard Trumpeter © R (65cm) Watch Victoria, Hutchins and Roger Swainston (distributed by Gary Allen Pty. eld, NSW),Ltd., Smithﬁ with permission from the authors. Copyright Illustrations from Long Snouted Sea Fishes of Southern Australia Weed whiting Weed

eef eef Boarﬁ sh (50cm) Boarﬁshes

© R Herring Cale (51cm) Hutchins and Roger Swainston (distributed by Gary Allen Pty. eld, NSW),Ltd., Smithﬁ with permission from the authors. Copyright Illustrations from Long Snouted Senator Wrasse (33cm)

Weed whiting Weed Boarfi sh (50cm) Herring Cale (51cm) Senator Wrasse (33cm) Hutchins and Roger Swainston (distributed by Gary Allen Pty. eld, NSW),Ltd., Smithfi with permission from the authors. Copyright Illustrations from Long Snouted Boarfi sh (50cm)

Herring Cale (51cm) Senator Wrasse (33cm) WifeOld

Old wife WifeOld Maori Wrasse (41cm) (31cm)

Horseshoe Leatherjacket (64cm) Leatherjackets Reef Watch Victoria PO Box 666E , Melbourne, VIC 3001 Ph 03 8341 7446 www.reefwatchvic.asn.au [email protected] Old wife Maori Wrasse (41cm) (31cm) WifeOld

Horseshoe Leatherjacket (64cm) Leatherjackets Reef Watch Victoria PO Box 666E , Melbourne, VIC 3001 Ph 03 8341 7446 www.reefwatchvic.asn.au [email protected] Rock Cod such as Beware Reef Marine Harlequin Fish (76cm) Sanctuary. Six Spined Sea Sweep (61cm) Rock Cod

Leatherjacket (55cm) Sweeps It is hoped that Eastern Victoria Harlequin Fish (76cm) will be better represented in Six Spined Sea Sweep (61cm) future Great Victorian Fish Leatherjacket (55cm) Sweeps Harlequin Fish (76cm) Counts and the VNPA will be Seadragons working on establishing stronger Six Spined Sea Sweep (61cm) Blackﬁshes networks with local communities

Leatherjacket (55cm) Sweeps

Eastern Blue Groper (100CM) Seadragons in the area. Weedy Seadragon Blackﬁshes (46cm) Category ZebraSymbol Fish (54cm) Silver Sweep (37cm)

Weedy Seadragon Seadragons 3.3 Survey method 1-5 Zebra Fish (54cm) Blackﬁshes (46cm) Each participating dive operator Silver Sweep (37cm) is supplied with a standard Great 6-20 Weedy Seadragon Victorian Fish Count Kit. The Zebra Fish (54cm) (46cm) Kit contains fish identification Silver Sweep (37cm) training booklets, identification 20+ slates, and survey forms.

The ‘Roving Diving’ Technique FIGURE 2 THE ABUNDANCE CATAGORIES AND THEIR CORRESPONDING SYMBOLS THAT All participants work in buddy ARE USED ON THE GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT IDENTIFICATION SLATES. pairs or small groups for the entire survey and use one the identification slates (Figure that are found to be common identification slate between 1). All of these species live in or unique to their chosen dive them. During the survey, the temperate reef areas along the site. This may inform changes to Roving Diver Technique (RDT) is Victorian coast. the Great Victorian Fish Count identification slates in the future, employed, whereby participants Some of the species have a as has been suggested by some swim freely throughout the wider range than others, such selected site and record all of the participating groups. as the Maori Wrasse and the the fish identified on their monitoring slate. Participants are Eastern and Western Blue During the survey, participants Groper. Others have interesting encouraged to follow a route place the fish species they see that does not overlap with other life histories such as the Blue- into one of three abundance Throat Wrasse, a fish that can categories under the fish buddy pairs where possible and change sex and lives in harems. species on the identification also to pause and observe for A number of species, such as slate (Figure 2). Each category fish at ‘stations’ along the way, the morwongs and sweeps, are has a corresponding symbol in case they were disturbed and under pressure from recreational and these symbols are crossed had been hiding. and commercial fishing. Also out progressively as increasing The Great Victorian Fish Count included is Victoria’s marine numbers of that particular identification slates state emblem, the Common species is observed. (or Weedy) Seadragon, as it During the survey, fish observed is a fragile species and easily are marked on the identification threatened by various human 3.4 Data analysis slates shared between buddies. activities around the coast. Scientists and managers have At the conclusion of the survey, assisted Reef Watch Victoria Groups are also encouraged to the Great Victorian Fish Count in selecting the 25 Fish Count add other species observed to Survey Form data sheet (see species that are indicated on their results, especially those Figure 3) is completed in the

METHODOLOGY 11 GVFC SurveyGVFC Survey Form Form GVFC SurveyGVFC Survey Form Form Reef Watch Victoria Reef Watch Victoria Reef Watch Victoria Reef Watch Victoria POBox 666E ,Melbourne, PO VICBox300 666,1 •Melbourne,Ph 03 8341 VIC 744 63001 •www.reefwatchvic.asn.a Ph. 03 8341 7446 uwww.reefwatchvic.asn.au • [email protected] [email protected] POBox 666E ,Melbourne, PO VICBox300 666,1 •Melbourne,Ph 03 8341 VIC 744 63001 •www.reefwatchvic.asn.a Ph. 03 8341 7446 uwww.reefwatchvic.asn.au • [email protected] [email protected] Registration Details Registration Details Dive Group (registered dive operator/friends group): Registration No.: Dive Group (registered dive operator/friends group): Registration No.:

Site Details Site Details Site name: Site name:

Location: Location: Latitude Longitude Latitude Longitude

S E S E If using a GPS, please use WGS 84 DATUM If using a GPS, please use WGS 84 DATUM Site Description Site Description Habitat (tick all that apply): Habitat (tick all that apply):

Large Rocky Reef (>2m face) Low Rocky Reef (<2m face) Rubble Large Rocky Reef (>2m face) Low Rocky Reef (<2m face) Rubble Other Other Artiﬁ cial Reef (eg. pier, wrecks) Sand/Mud Artiﬁ cial Reef (eg. pier, wrecks) Sand/Mud

Type of cover (tick all that apply): Type of cover (tick all that apply):

Kelp (long, leathery brown algae) Mixed algae Seagrass Kelp (long, leathery brown algae) Mixed algae Seagrass Other Other Sponges, seasquirts & other Sponges, seasquirts & other

If Other, please describe: If Other, please describe:

Site Conditions Site Conditions The following are the site conditions on the day of the survey The following are the site conditions on the day of the survey Date of Survey: Time start: Time ﬁ nish: Date of Survey: Time start: Time ﬁ nish: / / : : / / : :

DD/MM/YYYY 24 hr time 24 hr time DD/MM/YYYY 24 hr time 24 hr time No. of divers: Duration: Max. Depth: Visibility: Water TempTemp.: No. of divers: Duration: Max. Depth: Visibility: Water Temp.:Temp : : m m °C m m °C hours : mins hours : mins Tide: Swell height: Tide: Swell height: High Low 0m 0.5m 1m 1.5m 2m High Low 0m 0.5m 1m 1.5m 2m

Tidal stream: Current: Tidal stream: Current: Flood Ebb Slack Strong Weak Nil Flood Ebb Slack Strong Weak Nil Page 1 Page 1

FIGURE 3 THE GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT SURVEY FORM

company of all the participating the group might like to add. An buddy pairs and groups. abundance category is marked The Survey Form includes for each of the species observed information regarding the survey by the group, with the category site location, weather conditions, being based on the average time spent underwater and results from all the participating visibility. buddy pairs. The Form is filled out The Great Victorian Fish Count immediately after the dive, and Survey Form is returned to involves consultation with all the VNPA on behalf of the of the participants in order to participating group and results ensure a good representation of have been entered into a data the average result. The names spreadsheet to allow for easy of the 25 target species are also comparison of the different listed on the form and there survey sites. are extra spaces for any species

12 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 METHODOLOGY Friends of Barwon Bluff and Parks Victoria at the Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary after completing their Great Victorian Fish Count survey. Photo: Parks Victoria

METHODOLOGY 13 4.0 RESULTS

4.1 Great Victorian Fish Count summary results The main results from each of the surveys conducted over the period of the 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count are summarised in Figure 4 and Table 1. While some groups ended up surveying the same area, none were conducted at the place on the same day and there were 44 different sites surveyed in total. It should be noted that the groups Friends of A Common (or Weedy) Seadragon beneath Flinders Pier. Photo: Carol Milligan Beware Reef and S.E.A.L Diving Services were instrumental in contributing to the impressive interest. The raw data from each along the Mornington number of sites that were survey site can be found in the Peninsula, as well as a number surveyed this year. Appendix, where the abundance of shipwrecks including the Figure 4 represents the of each of the 25 target species Hurricane, Ozone and Light of abundances recorded for each of is given for each of the survey the Age wrecks in Port Phillip the 25 target species. The Blue sites. In the Appendix there is Bay and La Bella Wreck in column represents the number also a breakdown of the weather Western Victoria. of surveys in which the target conditions and specific habitat types recorded for each of the It was a windy start to the species was recorded at in terms summer in 2015 and weather sites on the day that they were of the abundance category of conditions were not ideal surveyed. 1 – 5. The Red column represents on some of the weekends. the number of surveys in which A number of groups had to the species was recorded at postpone their Great Victorian in terms of the abundance 4.2 Survey site and Fish Count activity and often had category of 6 – 20. The Green weather conditions to conduct their survey in low column represents the number visibility conditions. The Lorne- of surveys in which the species There were 44 different sites Aireys Inlet Primary School in was recorded at in terms of the surveyed along Victoria’s particular must be commended coastline over the course of abundance category of 20 or for their survey efforts, getting more. It is clear that the target the 2015 Great Victorian Fish in the water despite 1m visibility species listed that have the Count, enabling a wide range of and a decent swell. highest green and red columns different marine habitats to be are generally the most abundant included. and were observed at the majority of survey sites. Different habitat types surveyed include rocky reefs, sponge Table 1 presents the most gardens, seagrass meadows, common fish species recorded kelp forests and sandy bottoms. at the associated survey site Artificial reefs also featured and also notes other species heavily with a number of piers observed that may be of being surveyed, particularly

14 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 RESULTS Leatherjackets at Hurricane Wreck, surveying by Victorian Sub Aqua Group. Photo: Peter Beaumont

2015 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT TARGET

SPECIES ABUNDANCE 1-5 instances 6-20 instances > 20 instances

Number of sites recorded at in this abundance recorded sites Number of 0

Old Wife Zebrafish Sea Sweep Herring Cale Silver Sweep Red Morwong Magpie Perch Maori Wrasse Harlequin Fish Seadragon Dusky Morwong Ornate CowfishShaw’s Cowfish SaddledSenator Wrasse Wrasse Banded Morwong Victorian Scalyfin Bastard Trumpeter Blue-throat Wrasse Southern Blue Devil Western BlueEastern Groper Blue GroperCommon (or Weedy) Long-snouted Boarfish HorseshoeSix-spined Leatherjacket Leatherjacket

FIGURE 4. HOW OFTEN EACH OF THE 25 TARGET SPECIES WERE OBSERVED IN TERMS OF THE THREE ABUNDANCE CATEGORIES ON THE SURVEY FORM.

RESULTS 15 TABLE 1. 2015 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT SUMMARY RESULTS IN TERMS OF MOST COMMON AND NOTABLE FISH SPECIES RECORDED

Survey site Group Date No. fish species Most common fish species observed Interesting fish observed/also of note

MORNINGTON PENINSULA

Rye Pier Dive and Dive 6/12/2015 13 Magpie Perch, Blue-throat Wrasse, Bastard Ornate Cowfish Trumpeter, Leatherjackets, Senator Wrasse Rye Pier Scuba Culture 21/11/2015 4 Blue-throat Wrasse, Sea Sweep

Rye Pier Scuba Culture 28/11/2015 7 Blue-throat Wrasse, Bastard Trumpeter, Horse- Juvenile Victorian Scalyfin and shoe Leatherjacket, Six-spined Leatherjacket Sea Sweep observed Rye Pier Scuba Culture 5/12/2015 9 Blue-throat Wrasse, Horseshoe Bastard Trumpeter Leatherjacket, Six-spined Leatherjacket, Sea Sweep Blairgowrie Pier Diveline 28/11/2015 16 Globe Fish, Sea Sweep, Six-spined Dumpling squid, sand octopus, Leatherjacket, Saddled Wrasse snake eel, Big-bellied Seahorse

Blairgowrie Pier Ocean Divers 28/11/2015 5 Trevally, Globefish Spinycoat Anglerfish Ricketts Point Marine Sandringham 10/12/2015 15 Toad Fish, Snapper, Sea Sweep Banjo Shark, juvenile Southern Sanctuary College Goatfish, Senator Wrasse Ricketts Point Marine Marine Care 27/11/2015 5 Zebrafish, Dusky Morwong Horseshoe Leatherjacket Sanctuary Ricketts Point / Parks Victoria Flinders Pier Melbourne 28/11/2015 13 Six-spined Leatherjacket, Blue-throat Wrasse Weedy Seadragon University Under- water Club Mushroom Reef Friends of 5/12/2015 22 Saddled Wrasse, Blue-throat Wrasse, Juvenile Eastern Gropers Marine Sanctuary (near Mushroom Reef/ Whiting, Toadfish observed, Eagle Ray, Bastard Flinders) Parks Victoria Trumpeter Mornington Pier Harbour Dive 5/12/2015 9 Silver Sweep, Old Wife, Blue-throat Wrasse, Senator Wrasse, Leatherjackets Zebrafish Mornington Pier Monash 29/11/2015 15 Old Wife, Zebrafish, Long-snouted Boarfish Common Octopus Underwater Club (MONUC/MAASC)

BELLARINE PENINSULA

Barwon Bluff Marine Friends of Barwon 5/12/2015 11 Australian Salmon, Blue-throat Wrasse New sightings reported for Sanctuary Bluff/Parks Victoria Barwon Bluff MS included Eagle Rays and Shaw’s Cowfish

PORT PHILLIP BAY

Popes Eye, North side Friends of Beware 4/12/2015 10 Six-Spined Leatherjacket, Victorian Scalyfin, Shaw's Cowfish Reef Sea Sweep, Blue-throat Wrasse Popes Eye, South side Friends of Beware 4/12/2015 13 Magpie Perch, Six-spined Leatherjacket, Western Blue Groper, Ornate Reef Victorian Scalyfin, Zebrafish, Sea Sweep, Cowfish, Shaw's Cowfish Blue-throat Wrasse

South Channel Fort East Friends of Beware 3/12/2015 12 Victorian Scalyfin, Sea Sweep, Blue-throat Shaw's Cowfish Reef Wrasse

South Channel Fort Friends of Beware 3/12/2015 9 Victorian Scalyfin, Sea Sweep, Blue-throat Shaw's Cowfish West Reef Wrasse, Senator Wrasse Ozone Shipwreck Friends of Beware 1/12/2015 5 Blue-throat Wrasse Senator Wrasse Reef

Light of the Age Wreck Friends of Beware 30/11/2015 7 Victorian Scalyfin, Blue-throat Wrasse Senator Wrasse Reef

Cottage by the Sea Friends of Beware 30/11/2015 9 Blue-throat Wrasse, Victorian Scalyfin, Southern Blue Devil (four Reef Magpie Perch recorded) Point Franklin Friends of Beware 2/12/2015 6 Blue-throat Wrasse, Senator Wrasse Six-spined and Horseshoe Reef Leatherjacket Portsea Pier Reef Friends of Beware 2/12/2015 7 Blue-throat Wrasse, Senator Wrasse, Common (or Weedy) Seadragon, Reef Victorian Scalyfin Western Blue Groper Point Cooke Marine Care Point 5/12/2015 10 Fiddler Ray, Southern Hulafish Eagle Rays, one possibly Marine Sanctuary Cooke/Parks pregnant Victoria

16 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 RESULTS TABLE 1. 2015 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT SUMMARY RESULTS IN TERMS OF MOST COMMON AND NOTABLE FISH SPECIES RECORDED

Survey site Group Date No. fish species Most common fish species observed Interesting fish observed/also of note

PORT PHILLIP BAY

Castle Rock RMIT Underwater 5/12/2015 17 Six-spined Leatherjacket, Victorian Scalyfin, Southern Blue Devil, Common Club Zebrafish, Blue-throat Wrasse, Senator (or Weedy) Seadragon Wrasse

Capel Sound Reef Victorian Sub Aqua 6/12/2015 8 Victorian Scalyfin, Blue-throat Wrasse Cuttlefish Club Hurricane Victorian Sub Aqua 6/12/2015 21 Dusky Morwong, Banded Morwong, Magpie Pot Belly Seahorse, Bastard Wreck-Survey 1 Club Perch, Horseshoe Leatherjacket, Zebrafish, Trumpeter Senator Wrasse, Maori Wrasse Hurricane Victorian Sub Aqua 6/12/2015 23 Horseshoe Leatherjacket, Six-Spined Brown Striped Leatherjacket, Wreck-Survey 2 Club Leatherjacket, Longfin Pike, Snapper, Yellow Striped Leatherjacket, Yellowtail Scad Mosaic Leatherjacket, Black Banded Seaperch

Hurricane Victorian Sub Aqua 6/12/2015 18 Six-Spined Leatherjacket, Victorian Scalyfin, Cuttlefish, Ornate Cowfish, Wreck-Survey 3 Club Goatfish Shaw's Cowfish Reef off Mentone Victorian Sub Aqua 6/12/2015 7 Old Wife Dusky Morwong, Horseshoe Club Leatherjacket

Jawbone Marine Jawbone Marine 29/11/2015 14 Fiddler Ray, Toadfish Pigmy Leatherjacket, Whiting, Sanctuary Sanctuary Care/ Pipefish Parks Victoria

EAST VICTORIA

Shack Bay, Bunurong South Gippsland 5/12/2015 21 Zebrafish, Sea Sweep, Blue-throat Wrasse Bastard Trumpeter, Eastern Blue Marine National Park Conservation Groper, Port Jackson Sharks Society Wilsons Prom - S.E.A.L. Diving 31/10/2015 11 Senator Wrasse, Maori Wrasse Western Blue Groper Dannevig N/W Services Wilsons Prom - Tongue S.E.A.L. Diving 31/10/2015 15 Magpie Perch, Six-spined Leatherjacket, Southern Blue Devil, school of Point Services Zebrafish, Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep, Senator Red Morwong Wrasse Wilsons Prom - Bum S.E.A.L. Diving 31/10/2015 16 Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep Southern Blue Devil, Bastard Rock Services Trumpeter Wilsons Prom - Norman S.E.A.L. Diving 31/10/2015 11 Herring Cale, Six-Spine Leatherjacket, Southern Blue Devil, Bastard Point Services Zebrafish, Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep, Senator Trumpeter Wrasse

Wilsons Prom - Pillar S.E.A.L. Diving 31/10/2015 13 Victorian Scalyfin, Old Wife Ornate Cowfish, Shaw’s Cowfish Point Services Wilsons Prom - North S.E.A.L. Diving 31/10/2015 11 Magpie Perch, Senator Wrasse, Maori Western Blue Groper of Pillar Point Services Wrasse Wilson Prom - Great S.E.A.L. Diving 1/11/2015 13 Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep, Maori Wrasse Velvet Fish Glennie Services

Wilsons Prom – S.E.A.L. Diving 1/11/2015 16 Zebrafish, Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep, Saddled Bastard Trumpeter Ramsbotham Services Wrasse

Cape Paterson - Browns S.E.A.L. Diving 14/11/2015 13 Zebrafish, Old Wife Ornate Cowfish, Shaw’s Cowfish Bay Shore Services Cape Woolamai - 3 S.E.A.L. Diving 15/11/2015 14 Six-Spined Leatherjacket, Sea Sweep, Silver Southern Blue Devil Fish, Bas- Sisters Services Sweep, Saddled Wrasse tard Trumpeter Cape Woolamai - SE S.E.A.L. Diving 15/11/2015 13 Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep, Saddled Wrasse Bastard Trumpeter Point Services Cape Woolamai - Teeth S.E.A.L. Diving 28/11/2015 14 Six-Spined Leatherjacket, Sea Sweep, Silver Common (or Weedy) Seadragon Services Sweep, Saddled Wrasse Cape Woolamai - S.E.A.L. Diving 28/11/2015 15 Horseshoe Leatherjacket, Six-Spined Leath- Common (or Weedy) Seadragon Sponge gardens Services erjacket, Zebrafish, Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep Cape Woolamai - S.E.A.L. Diving 6/12/2015 12 Silver Sweep, Blue-throat Wrasse Bluelined Leatherjacket, Rock Middle Point Services Lobsters

RESULTS 17 TABLE 1. 2015 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT SUMMARY RESULTS IN TERMS OF MOST COMMON AND NOTABLE FISH SPECIES RECORDED

Survey site Group Date No. fish species Most common fish species observed Interesting fish observed/also of note

WEST VICTORIA

Pea Soup, Port Fairy Daktari Surf and 5/12/2015 16 Magpie Perch, Six-spined Leatherjacket, Bastard Trumpeter, Ornate Dive Zebrafish, Old Wife, Blue-throat Wrasse Cowfish Warrnambool Daktari Surf and 6/12/2015 25 Magpie Perch, Zebrafish, Blue-throat Bastard Trumpeter, Common Breakwater Dive Wrasse, Saddled Wrasse, Weed Ash, (or Weedy) Seadragon, Bull Ray, Yellowtail, Abalone Eagle Ray, Wobbegong, Port Jackson Shark, Cuttle Merri Marine Sanctuary, Daktari Surf and 6/12/2015 18 Dusky Morwong, Banded Morwong, Magpie Common (or Weedy) Seadragon, near Warrnambool Dive Perch, Bastard Trumpeter, Zebrafish, Old Ornate Cowfish, Shaw's Cowfish Wife, Sea Sweep, Silver Sweep, Blue-throat Wrasse, Saddled Wrasse Eagle Rock Marine Friends of Eagle 22/11/2015 8 Magpie Perch, Yellow-striped Leatherjacket Senator Wrasse Sanctuary Rock/Parks Victoria

Lorne Pier Lorne-Aireys Inlet 7/12/2015 6 Horseshoe Leatherjacket Shaw's Cowfish, Long-snouted p-12 School/Eco- Boarfish logic La Bella Wreck (boat Warrnambool Sub 13/12/2015 5 Horseshoe Leatherjacket, Sea Sweep, Blue- dive site from Aqua Club throat Wrasse, Saddled Wrasse, Senator Warrnambool) Wrasse

800m South of Middle Warrnambool Sub 13/12/2015 11 Bullseye fish, Magpie Perch, Zebrafish, Old Island ("Gary's spot") Aqua Club Wife, Rock Lobsters

18 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 RESULTS RESULTS 19 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015

20 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 RESULTS Great Victorian Fish Count participants under the supervision of Parks Victoria at Jawbone Marine Sanctuary and Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary. Photos: Phillip Wierzbowski, Coastcare Victoria

RESULTS 21 5.0 CONCLUSION

5.1 Common species observed Healthy levels of marine life were still observed at many of the sites, particularly within Victoria’s marine national parks and sanctuaries. This is despite the less than ideal weather conditions. The most common species observed during the 2015 Great Victorian Fish Count were: • Blue-throat Wrasse. • Dusky Morwong. • Horse-shoe Leatherjacket. • Magpie Perch. • Old Wife. A couple of Southern Blue Devil Fish at Castle Rock, Port Phillip Bay. Photo: Natalie Manahan, • Sea Sweep. RMIT Underwater Club. • Silver Sweep. • Senator Wrasse. Victorian waters) were observed recorded at Barwon Bluff Marine at Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary this year, however this • Six-spined Leatherjacket. Sanctuary by the Friends of is probably because participants • Victorian Scalyfin. Mushroom Reef. We also received surveyed the Barwon River side • Zebrafish. reports of there being about 20 where they are less common and juveniles observed at the same where there were poor visibility In line with previous years, the site a few days later indicating conditions on the day. Blue-throat Wrasse continues successful breeding in the area. It to appear to be the most widely was encouraging to note as well Southern Blue Devil Fish distributed and commonly that the Eastern Blue Groper was sighted species. Four individual Southern Blue recorded at the Bunurong Marine Devil Fish were recorded at National Park as in previous years. the Cottage by the Sea near 5.2 Species of It was also positive that the Queenscliff. They were also Western Blue Groper (also a observed at Cape Woolamai, conservation interest protected species) continues to Castle Rock in Port Phillip Bay and ‘Fish on the Move’ be recorded at numerous sites and several of the sites surveyed since its rediscovery in Victoria at Wilsons Promontory. This There were also a number of during the 2011 Great Victorian intriguing fish is of interest as other species recorded that are of Fish Count at Barwon Bluff little is known about the species, particular interest to Reef Watch Marine Sanctuary. This year 3 except that they are site-attached Victoria and the VNPA. Highlights individuals were recorded at the (tend to make specific rocky sites their home). This makes of the 2015 Great Victorian Fish south side of Popes Eye, 2 were Count were as follows: recorded at Portsea Pier and them particularly vulnerable to the fish was also observed at a any changes in their immediate Blue Groper surroundings, and therefore couple of the sites surveyed at is it important to note their Two juvenile Eastern Blue Wilsons Promontory. Unusually Gropers (fully protected in the Western Blue Groper was not distribution.

22 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 CONCLUSION Common (or Weedy) Seadragon Another unique and endemic species to Victoria, the Common (or Weedy) Seadragon, was observed in encouraging numbers at a number of different sites. Always a hotspot for Common (or Weedy) Seadragon sightings, up to 20 individuals were recorded at Flinders Pier and surveys at Portsea Pier and the Warrnambool Breakwater also indicated the abundance category of 6-20 individuals. An abundance of 1-5 was also recorded at Merri Marine Sanctuary, Cape Woolamai and the dive site Castle Rock, in Port

Phillip Bay. A Spinycoat Anglerfish (previously known as the Long-spined Anglerfish) spotted at Blair- gowrie Pier when Ocean Divers conducted their fish count survey. Photo: Charmaine Alford Bastard Trumpeter It was also encouraging to The Bastard Trumpeter appears verified by marine scientists at Museum Victoria, who had seen to continue being well spread note that large schools of fish out across the Victorian coastline, species targeted by anglers were the species in Port Phillip Bay on with sightings recorded as far observed during the 2015 Great only one other occasion in their career. west as Warrnambool and as Victorian Fish Count, in particular far east as Wilsons Promontory Australian Salmon, King George While not caught on camera, Whiting, Sand Whiting, Weed (the most eastern survey site in the Bastard Trumpeter was also Whiting, Snapper and Trevally. the 2015 Great Victorian Fish recorded at a number of the Count). Historically this species Fish on the Move survey sites along the Victorian was uncommon west of Wilsons coastline and this information Promontory, but in recent Great Participants kept a keen eye has been passed on to Redmap Victorian Fish Counts it has been out for ‘Fish on the Move’ as Victoria. recorded right along Victoria’s part of our 2015 Great Victorian We will continue to keep watch coast. Fish Count theme. The new partnership with Redmap for ‘Fish on the Move’ and Species not on ID slates Victoria has already proven to encourage any sightings to be logged with Redmap. A number of other species were be worthwhile, with a participant recorded that do not appear on having captured an unusual species on camera at Blairgowrie the official identification slates, 5.3 Site information particularly at Point Cooke Marine Pier while surveying with local dive operator Ocean Divers. The National Park, Jawbone Marine Aside from weather conditions, fish was a Spinycoat Anglerfish Sanctuary and Mushroom Reef another factor that may have Marine National Park. Eagle and although they’ve been recorded from eastern Victoria affected the marine life observed rays, stingarees, spotted rays during the 2015 Great Victorian to Streaky Bay, South Australia, and fiddler rays were observed Fish Count is recent pier repair in healthy numbers within these they’re often found in deeper waters. The sighting was logged work at a couple of the survey marine protected areas. locations. with Redmap and has since been

CONCLUSION 23 One lucky diver at the Capel Sound Reef (offshore from Rosebud), captured some fantastic pictures of a highly inquisitive Giant Cuttle who was more than happy to be photographed. Photo: Peter Beaumont, Victorian Sub Aqua Club

Mornington Pier dive operator Ocean Divers all observed in high numbers. On Mornington Pier had reopened commented that they observed the north side, approximately 140 fewer fish there than usual, but Blue-throat Wrasse were recorded after a number of years of that there were still good levels as well as over 100 Sea Sweep reconstruction and it was of other marine life such as encouraging to note that marine and 45 Six-Spined Leatherjackets. seahorses, nudibranchs, seastars The south side recorded over 75 life seems to be returning to the area. and stingrays. Victorian Scalyfin and over 40 Zebrafish. Popes Eye Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron The Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron Popes Eye, which is the oldest has also been undergoing section of the Port Phillip Heads recent repair work, including National Park, continues to be the addition of a new matting a prime example of the value material placed under the and success of Victoria’s marine protected areas. Magpie Perch, Blairgowrie pier, and this activity may be disturbing some of Leatherjackets, Victorian Scalyfin, the marine life there. Local Zebrafish, Sea Sweep, Blue-throat Wrasse and Senator Wrasse were

2424 GREAT CAUGHT VICTORIAN ON CAMERA FISH – A COUNT Community 2015 Monitoring Project in the Wimmera Region CONCLUSIONREFERENCES 6.0 REFERENCES

Lough JM, & Hobday AJ 2011, ‘Observed climate change in Australian marine and freshwater environments’, Marine and Freshwater Research, vol. 62, no. 9, pp. 984-999

Purcell, L n.d., Changes in Victoria’s marine ecosystems, Redmap Australia, viewed 1 February 2016, http://www.redmap. org.au/article/changes-in-victorias- marine-ecosystems/

A Community Monitoring Project in the Wimmera Region APPENDIXREFERENCES 25 7.0 APPENDIX

7. 1 TABLE 2. A BREAKDOWN OF THE RAW DATA IN TERMS OF THE ABUNDANCE OF TARGET SPECIES RECORDED AT EACH OF THE 2015 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT SURVEY SITES. ) MORNINGTON PENINSULA

Rye Pier (Dive and Dive) 1-5 >20 6-20 6-20 6-20 1-5

Rye Pier, first survey (Scuba Culture) Rye Pier, second survey (Scuba Culture) 6-20 6-20 6-20 SURVEY BY SURVEY

( Rye Pier, third survey (Scuba Culture) 1-5 6-20 6-20 Blairgowrie Pier (Diveline) 1-5 1-5 1-5 1-5 6-20 1-5 Blairgowrie Pier (Ocean Divers) Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary 6-20 1-5 1-5 (Marine Care Ricketts Point)

LOCATION LOCATION Ricketts Point 'Yacht Club end' 1-5 1-5 1-5 (Sandringham College Year 7s) Flinders Pier (Melb Uni Underwater Club 1-5 1-5 1-5 1-5 6-20 1-5 1-5 Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary, near 6-20 1-5 1-5 1-5 1-5 Flinders (Friends of Mushroom Reef) Mornington Pier (Harbour Dive) 1-5 1-5 1-5 Mornington Pier (MONUC-MASC) 6-20 6-20 6-20 6-20 6-20

BELLARINE PENINSULA

Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary (Friends 1-5 1-5 1-5 6-20 1-5 of Barwon Bluff/Parks Vic) PORT PHILLIP BAY

Popes Eye, North side (Friends of Be- 6-20 1-5 >20 1-5 ware Reef) Popes Eye, South side (Friends of Beware >20 6-20 6-20 >20 1-5 1-5 Reef) South Channel Fort East (Friends of 6-20 1-5 1-5 1-5 Beware Reef) South Channel Fort West (Friends of 1-5 6-20 1-5 1-5 Beware Reef) Ozone Wreck (Friends of Beware Reef) 1-5 Light of the Age (Friends of Beware 6-20 1-5 Reef) Cottage by the Sea (Friends of Beware 1-5 6-20 6-20 1-5 1-5 Reef) Point Franklin (Friends of Beware Reef) 1-5 1-5 1-5 Portsea Pier Reef (Friends of Beware 1-5 Reef) Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary, Point 1-5 Cook (Marine Care Point Cooke) Castle Rock (RMIT Underwater Club) 1-5 1-5 6-20 1-5 1-5 1-5 1-5 Capel Sound Reef (VSAG) 1-5 1-5 1-5 Hurricane Wreck - survey 1 (VSAG) >20 >20 >20 6-20 6-20 >20 6-20 6-20 Hurricane Wreck - survey 2 (VSAG) 6-20 >20 >20 1-5 1-5 Hurricane Wreck - survey 3 (VSAG) 1-5 1-5 6-20 1-5 1-5

Reef off Mentone (VSAG) 1-5 1-5 1-5 Jawbone Marine Sanctuary (Jawbone 1-5 1-5 Marine Sanctuary Care)

Herring Cale Red Morwong Magpie Perch Dusky Morwong Ornate CowfishShaw’s Cowfish Banded Morwong Bastard Trumpeter Victorian Scalyfin Southern Blue Devil

Horseshoe LeatherjacketSix-spined Leatherjacket 26 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 APPENDIX 1-5 1-5 1-5 6-20 >20 6-20

Rye Pier, first survey (Scuba Culture) 1-5 1-5 6-20 >20 1-5 1-5 1-5 >20 1-5 1-5 6-20 1-5 >20 1-5 1-5 >20 1-5 6-20 1-5 >20 1-5

1-5 1-5 1-5 1-5 1-5

1-5 1-5 1-5 1-5 6-20 1-5 1-5 >20 >20 1-5 1-5

1-5 6-20 6-20 >20 6-20 1-5 >20 >20 >20 1-5 6-20

Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary (Friends 6-20 6-20 of Barwon Bluff/Parks Vic)

>20 6-20 6-20 >20 >20 6-20

>20 >20 6-20 >20 >20 >20 1-5

>20 6-20 1-5 1-5 >20 1-5 >20 6-20

>20 6-20 >20 >20 >20

1-5 6-20 1-5 >20 >20 6-20 1-5

6-20 6-20 >20 1-5

1-5 6-20 1-5 6-20 1-5 >20 6-20 1-5 6-20

1-5

6-20 >20 1-5 1-5 1-5 6-20 1-5 6-20 1-5 6-20 1-5 6-20 1-5 1-5 >20 1-5 1-5 6-20 6-20 6-20 >20 >20 6-20 1-5 1-5 1-5 6-20 6-20 6-20 6-20 6-20 1-5 1-5 1-5 1-5 1-5

Reef off Mentone (VSAG) 1-5 >20 1-5 1-5 1 - 5

Old Wife Zebrafish Sea Sweep Silver Sweep Seadragon Maori Wrasse Harlequin Fish Saddled WrasseSenator Wrasse Victorian Scalyfin Blue-throat Wrasse Western Blue GroperEastern Blue Groper Common (or Weedy) Long-snouted Boarfish

APPENDIX 27 ) EAST VICTORIA

Shack Bay, Bunurong Marine National 1-5 6-20 1-5 1-5 6-20 1-5 1-5 1-5 Park, near Inverloch (SGCS) Wilsons Prom - Dannevig N/W (S.E.A.L 6-20 6-20 6-20 1-5 Diving Services) SURVEY BY SURVEY ( Wilsons Prom - Tongue Point (S.E.A.L 6-20 6-20 >20 6-20 >20 1-5 6-20 Diving Services) Wilsons Prom - Bum Rock (S.E.A.L 6-20 1-5 6-20 1-5 1-5 6-20 1-5 Diving Services) Wilsons Prom - Norman Point (S.E.A.L 6-20 >20 >20 1-5 1-5 Diving Services) LOCATION LOCATION Wilsons Prom - Pillar Point (S.E.A.L Div- 1-5 1-5 6-20 6-20 1-5 6-20 ing Services) Wilsons Prom - Landing North of Pillar 6-20 >20 6-20 6-20 1-5 Point (S.E.A.L Diving Services) Wilson Prom - Great Glennie (S.E.A.L 1-5 6-20 1-5 6-20 1-5 Diving Services) Wilsons Prom - Ramsbotham (S.E.A.L 1-5 6-20 6-20 6-20 1-5 1-5 Diving Services) Cape Paterson - Browns Bay Shore 6-20 1-5 6-20 1-5 6-20 1-5 1-5 (S.E.A.L Diving Services) Cape Woolamai - 3 Sisters (S.E.A.L 6-20 1-5 6-20 6-20 >20 1-5 Diving Services) Cape Woolamai - SE Point (S.E.A.L 6-20 6-20 1-5 6-20 1-5 Diving Services) Cape Woolamai - Teeth (S.E.A.L Diving 1-5 6-20 6-20 6-20 >20 Services) Cape Woolamai - 'Sponge Gardens' 1-5 6-20 6-20 >20 >20 1-5 (S.E.A.L Diving Services) Cape Woolamai - Middle Point (S.E.A.L 1-5 6-20 1-5 6-20 Diving Services)

WEST VICTORIA

Pea Soup, Port Fairy (Daktari Surf and 1-5 1-5 >20 1-5 6-20 1-5 6-20 6-20 Dive) Warrnambool Breakwater (Daktari Surf 1-5 1-5 6-20 1-5 1-5 and Dive) Merri Marine Sanctuary, near Warrnam- >20 >20 >20 >20 6-20 1-5 1-5 bool (Daktari Surf and Dive) Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary, near 1-5 Aireys Inlet (Friend of Eagle Rock) Lorne Pier (Lorne-Aireys Inlet P-12, 1-5 6-20 1-5 1-5 grade 6) La Bella Wreck, near Warrnambool 1-5 (Warrnambool Sub Aqua Club) 800m South of Middle Island, "Gary's 6-20 1-5 spot" (Warrnambool Sub Aqua Club)

Herring Cale Red Morwong Magpie Perch Dusky Morwong Ornate CowfishShaw’s Cowfish Banded Morwong Bastard Trumpeter Victorian Scalyfin Southern Blue Devil

Horseshoe LeatherjacketSix-spined Leatherjacket

28 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 APPENDIX 6-20 >20 1-5 >20 6-20 >20 6-20 6-20 1-5 1-5

1-5 1-5 6-20 6-20 >20 >20 1-5

>20 6-20 6-20 >20 >20 1-5 >20 6-20

6-20 6-20 6-20 1-5 >20 >20 6-20 1-5 1-5

>20 6-20 >20 >20 >20 6-20

>20 >20 1-5 6-20 6-20 6-20 1-5

6-20 6-20 6-20 >20 >20 1-5

6-20 1-5 6-20 >20 >20 6-20 >20

6-20 >20 1-5 6-20 >20 >20 6-20 >20 1-5 1-5

>20 >20 6-20 1-5 6-20 1-5

6-20 6-20 1-5 >20 >20 6-20 >20 1-5

6-20 1-5 >20 >20 6-20 >20 6-20 1-5

6-20 1-5 >20 >20 6-20 >20 1-5 1-5 1-5

6-20 >20 1-5 >20 >20 6-20 1-5 1-5 1-5

6-20 6-20 1-5 >20 >20

1-5 >20 >20 6-20 6-20 6-20 1-5 6-20

1-5 >20 1-5 1-5 >20 6-20 1-5 6-20

6-20 >20 >20 >20 >20 >20 >20 6-20 1-5 1-5

1-5 1-5 1-5 1-5

1-5 1-5

1-5 1-5 1-5 1-5

1-5 6-20 6-20 1-5 1-5 1-5 1-5

APPENDIX 29 7.2 TABLE 3. A BREAKDOWN OF EACH SITE WITH THE HABITAT TYPES AND SITE CONDITIONS ON THE DAY OF SURVEYING.

Survey Site GPS Location Group Date Site conditions Habitat type Participants Snorkel/ undertaken Dive

MORNINGTON PENINSULA

Rye Pier -38.3687671S Dive and 6/12/2015 19°C - High Tide - 0 m Swell - Nil Kelp - Sponges, Seasquirts, 17 Dive 144.8223983E Dive Current - Max. Depth 8m - Visibility etc - Mixed Algae - Sea- 10m grass - Artificial Reef Rye Pier -38.3687671S Scuba Cul- 21/11/2015 18°C - High Tide - 0 m Swell - Weak Sponges, Seasquirts etc 8 Dive 144.8223983E ture Current - Slack Tidal Stream - Max. - Mixed Algae - Artificial Depth 4.7m - Visibility 8m Reef - Low Rocky Reef - Rubble - Sand/Mud Rye Pier -38.3687671S Scuba Cul- 28/11/2015 17°C - Low Tide - 0 m Swell - Nil Sponges, Seasquirts etc 6 Dive 144.8223983E ture Current - Ebb Tidal Stream - Max. - Mixed Algae - Artificial Depth 4.4m - Visibility 4m Reef - Low Rocky Reef - Rubble - Sand/Mud Rye Pier -38.3687671S Scuba Cul- 5/12/2015 18°C - Low Tide - 0 m Swell - Weak Sponges, Seasquirts etc 8 Dive 144.8223983E ture Curent - Slack Tidal Stream - Max - Mixed Algae - Artificial Depth. 4.8m - Visibility 5m Reef - Low Rocky Reef - Rubble - Sand/Mud

Blairgowrie Pier 38°21.4’S Diveline 28/11/2015 16°C - 0m Swell height - Weak Cur- Seagrass - Artificial Reef 13 Dive 144°46.4E rent - Max. Depth 4.6m - Visibility - Other (new matting 10m installed as part of pier upgrade) Blairgowrie Pier 38°21.4’S Ocean Divers 28/11/2015 17°C - High Tide - 0 m Swell - Kelp - Sponges, Sea- 33 Dive 144°46.4E Weak/Nil Current - Flood Tidal squirts, etc - Mixed Algae Stream - Max. Depth 6m - Visibility - Seagrass - Artificial Reef 8m - Sand/Mud Ricketts Point 37°59'40.6"S Sandring- 10/12/2015 18°C - High Tide - 0.5 m Swell - Seagrass - Mixed Algae 14 Snorkel Marine 145°01'51.1"E ham College Weak Current - Flood/Slack Tidal - Large Rocky Reef - Low Sanctuary Stream - Max. Depth 2.8m - Vis- Rocky Reef ibility 9m Ricketts Point 37°59'40.6"S Marine Care 27/11/2015 18°C - Low Tide - 0 m Swell - Nil Seagrass - Mixed Algae - 16 Snorkel Marine 145°01'51.1"E Ricketts Current - Ebb Tidal Stream - Max. Kelp - Sponges, seasquirts, Sanctuary Point /Parks Depth 2m - Visibility 0.5m etc - Large Rocky Reef - Victoria Low Rocky Reef Flinders Pier 38°28'32.5"S Melb Uni 28/11/2015 16°C - High Tide - 0 m Swell - Weak Sand/Mud - Seagrass 14 Dive 145°01'38.7"E Underwater Current - Slack Tidal Stream - Max. Club Depth 4.5m - Visibility 4m Mushroom 38°28'53.7"S Friends of 5/12/2015 15°C - Low Tide - 0.5 m Swell - Nil Kelp - Mixed Algae - Sea- 11 Snorkel Reef Marine 145°00'56.6"E Mushroom Current - Ebb Tidal Stream - Max. grass - Sponges, Seasquirts Sanctuary (near Reef/Parks Depth 5m - Visibility 10m etc - Low Rocky Reef - Flinders) Victoria Rubble - Sand/Mud Mornington Pier -38.219983S Harbour 5/12/2015 18°C - Low Tide - 0 m Swell - Nil Seagrass - Sponges, 4 Dive 145.038946E Dive Current - Ebb Tidal Stream - Max. Seasquirts etc - Rubble - Depth 8m - Visibility 10m Artificial Reef Mornington Pier -38.219983S Monash 29/11/2015 17°C - Low Tide - 0 m Swell - Nil Seagrass - Sponges, 9 Dive 145.038946E Underwa- Current - Flood Tidal Stream - Max. Seasquirts etc - Rubble - ter Club Depth 8m - Visibility 5m Artificial Reef (MONUC/ MAASC)

BELLARINE PENINSULA

Barwon Bluff 38°17'21.2"S Friends of 5/12/2015 18°C - Weak Current - SE Winds Sand/Mud - Seagrass - 26 Snorkel Marine 144°30'02.9"E Barwon approx. 10-0lm/hr, 40%cloud cover, Kelp - Low Rocky Reef Sanctuary Bluff/Parks Visibility 1-2m Victoria

PORT PHILLIP BAY

Popes Eye, 38'16.606S Friends of 4/12/2015 16°C - High Tide - 0 m Swell - Weak Kelp - Mixed Algae - Arti- 3 Dive North side 144'39.324E Beware Reef Current - Flood Tidal Stream - Max. ficial Reef Depth 10m - Visibility 22m Popes Eye, 38'16.518S Friends of 4/12/2015 16°C - High Tide - 0 m Swell - Weak Kelp - Mixed Algae - Arti- 4 Snorkel South side 144'39.326E Beware Reef Current - Ebb Tidal Stream - Max. ficial Reef Depth 10m - Visibility 22m

30 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 APPENDIX Survey Site GPS Location Group Date Site conditions Habitat type Participants Snorkel/ undertaken Dive

PORT PHILLIP BAY

South Channel 38'30.692S Friends of 3/12/2015 17°C - Low Tide - 0 m Swell - Weak Kelp - Mixed Algae - Sea- 4 Snorkel Fort East 144'80.102E Beware Reef Current - Flood Tidal Stream - Max. grass - Artificial Reef Depth 12m - Visibility 13m South Channel 38'30.692S Friends of 3/12/2015 17°C - Low Tide - 0 m Swell - Weak Kelp - Mixed Algae - Sea- 3 Snorkel Fort West 144'80.102E Beware Reef Current - Ebb Tidal Stream - Max. grass - Artificial Reef Depth 10m - Visibility 13m Ozone Ship- 38'08.308S Friends of 1/12/2015 18°C - Low Tide - 0 m Swell - Weak Kelp - Mixed Algae - Sea- 3 Snorkel wreck 144'42.781E Beware Reef Curent - Ebb Tidal Stream - Max. grass - Artificial Reef Depth 3.1m - Visibility 4m Light of the Age 38'17.329S Friends of 30/11/2015 17°C - High Tide - 1 m Swell - Weak Kelp - Mixed Algae - Sea- 5 Snorkel Wreck 144'35.647E Beware Reef Current - Flood Tidal Stream - Max. grass - Low Rocky Reef Depth 7m - Visibility 7m Cottage by the 38'16.476S Friends of 30/11/2015 17°C - High Tide - 0 m Swell - Weak Kelp - Mixed Algae - Sea- 2 Snorkel Sea 144'38.952E Beware Reef Current - Slack Tidal Stream - Max. grass - Low Rocky Reef Depth 4m - Visibility 18m Point Franklin 38'19.035S Friends of 2/12/2015 16°C - Low Tide - 0.5 m Swell - Mixed Algae - Seagrass - 3 Snorkel 144'43.033E Beware Reef Strong Current - Flood Tidal Stream Low Rocky Reef - Max. Depth 4.1m - Visbility 6m Portsea Pier 38'19.081S Friends of 2/12/2015 16°C - Low Tide - 0.5 m Swell - Mixed Algae - Seagrass - 3 Snorkel Reef 144'42.764E Beware Reef Weak Current - Ebb Tidal Stream - Low Rocky Reef Max. Depth 3.8m - Visibility 10m Point Cooke 37°55.626'S Marine 5/12/2015 20°C - High Tide - 0.5 m Swell - Mixed Algae - Sponges, 13 Snorkel Marine 144°47.590' Care Point Weak Current - Ebb Tidal Stream - Seasquirts, etc - Seagrass - Sanctuary, Point Cooke/Parks Max. Depth 7m - Visibility 5m Rubble - Sand/Mud - Low Cook Victoria Rockky Reef Castle Rock 38°17.97'S RMIT Under- 5/12/2015 18°C - High Tide - 0.5 m Swell - Nil Kelp - Sponges, Seasquirts 9 Dive 144°35.782'E water Club Current - Flood Tidal Stream - Max. etc - Mixed Algae - Large Depth 15m - Visibility 10m Rocky Reef - Rubble Capel Sound 38'20.975S Victorian 6/12/2015 18°C - High Tide - 0 m Swell - Nil Sponges, Seasquirts etc 2 Dive Reef 144'52.514E Sub Aqua Current - Slack Tidal Stream - Max. - Mixed Algae - Rubble Club Depth 7m - Visibility 8m - Sand/Mud - Low Rocky Reef Hurricane Wreck 38°20'530''S Victorian 6/12/2015 18°C - High Tide - 0.5 m Swell - Sponges, Seasquirts etc - 2 Dive - Survey 1 144°52.304''E Sub Aqua Weak Current - Flood Tidal Stream Seagrass - Artificial Reef Club - Max. Depth 10m - Visibility 5m Hurricane Wreck 38°20'467"S Victorian 6/12/2015 18°C - 0 m Swell - Strong Current Sponges, Seasquirts etc - 7 Dive - Survey 2 144°52'293"E Sub Aqua - Flood Tidal Stream - Max. Depth Artificial Reef - Sand/Mud Club 11.9m - Visibility 10m Hurricane 38°20'476'S Victorian 6/12/2015 18°C - Low Tide - 0.5 m Swell - Sponges, Seasquirts etc 2 Dive Wreack - 144°52'298'E Sub Aqua Strong Current - Flood Tidal Stream - Mixed Algae - Artificial Survey 3 Club - Max. Depth 11m - Visibility 5m Reef - Sand - Rubble

Reef off Men- 38°00.129'S Victorian 6/12/2015 23°C - Low Tide - 0 m Swell - Nil Sponges, Seasquirts etc - 4 Dive tone 145°03.741'E Sub Aqua Current - Slack Tidal Stream - Max. Mixed Algae - Low Rocky Club Depth 8m - Visbility 6-8m Reef Jawbone Marine 37°52'00.1"S Jawbone 29/11/2015 Low Tide - 0 m Swell - Nil Current - Mixed Algae - Seagrass - 16 Snorkel Sanctuary, near 144°52'48.6"E Marine Max. Depth 3m - Visibility 10m Low Rocky Reef - Sand/ Williamstown Sanctuary Mud Care/Parks Victoria Popes Eye, 38'16.606S Friends of 4/12/2015 16°C - High Tide - 0 m Swell - Weak Kelp - Mixed Algae - Arti- 3 Dive North side 144'39.324E Beware Reef Current - Flood Tidal Stream - Max. ficial Reef Depth 10m - Visibility 22m

APPENDIX 31 Survey Site GPS Location Group Date Site conditions Habitat type Participants Snorkel/ undertaken Dive

EAST VICTORIA

Shack Bay, 38°40'20.45S South 5/12/2015 17°C - Low Tide - 0.5m Swell - Mixed Algae - Seagrass - 18 Snorkel Bunurong 145°39'30.20E Gippsland Weak Current - Flood Tidal Stream Sponges, seasquirts, etc Marine National Conservation - Max. Depth 5m - Visibility 4m - Large Rocky Reef - Low Park Society Rocky Reef Wilsons Prom - 39°06'071''S S.E.A.L. Div- 31/10/2015 14°C - Nil Current - Max. depth NA 4 Dive Dannevig N/W 146°14'171"E ing Services 33m - Visibility 20 to 30m Wilsons Prom - 39°59'662"S S.E.A.L. Div- 31/10/2015 14°C - Nil Current - Max. Depth NA 4 Dive Tongue Point 146°14'813"E ing Services 31m - Visibility 20 to 30m Wilsons Prom - 39°6'441"S S.E.A.L. Div- 31/10/2015 14°C - Nil Current - Max. Depth NA 4 Dive Bum Rock 146°14'185"E ing Services 32m - Visibility 20 to 30m Wilsons Prom - 39°3'216"S S.E.A.L. Div- 31/10/2015 14°C - Nil Current - Max. Depth NA 4 Dive Norman Point 146°19'079"E ing Services 20m - Visibility 20 to 30m Wilsons Prom - 39°2'279"S S.E.A.L. Div- 31/10/2015 14°C - Nil Current - Max. Depth NA 4 Dive Pillar Point 146°18'223"E ing Services 18m - Visibility 20 to 30m Wilsons Prom - 39°2'324"S S.E.A.L. Div- 31/10/2015 14°C - Nil Current - Max. Depth NA 4 Dive Landing North 146°18'239"E ing Services 12m - Visibility 20 to 30m of Pillar Point Wilson Prom - 39°4'288"S S.E.A.L. Div- 1/11/2015 14°C - Nil Current - Max. Depth NA 8 Dive Great Glennie 146°15'230"E ing Services 28m - Visibility 20 to 30m Wilsons Prom - 39°4'089"S S.E.A.L. Div- 1/11/2015 14°C - Nil Current - Max. Depth NA 4 Dive Ramsbotham 146°13'483"E ing Services 22m - Visibility 20 to 30m Cape Paterson 38°40'492"S S.E.A.L. Div- 14/11/2015 14°C - Low Tide - 0.5m Swell - Nil Seagrass - Low Rocky Reef 8 Dive - Browns Bay 145°37'115"E ing Services Current - Flood Tidal Stream - Max. - Sand/Mud Shore Depth 10m - Visibility 3m Cape Woolamai 38°34'049"S S.E.A.L. Div- 15/11/2015 14°C - High Tide - 1m Swell - Nil Kelp - Large Rocky Reef - 10 Dive - 3 Sisters 145°21'498"E ing Services Current - Max. Depth 21m - Vis- Underwater pinnacle ibility 10m Cape Woolamai 38°34'067"S S.E.A.L. Div- 15/11/2015 14°C - High Tide - 0.5m Swell - Kelp - Large Rocky Reef 10 Dive - SE Point 145°21'645"E ing Services Weak Current - Max. Depth 16m - Visibility 12m Cape Woolamai 38°34'064"S S.E.A.L. Div- 28/11/2015 15°C - High Tide - 0.5m Swell - Nil Kelp - Sponges, seaquirts 10 Dive - Teeth 145°21'315"E ing Services Current - Max. Depth 14m - Vis- etc - Large Rocky Reef - ibility 10m Sand/Mud Cape 38°33'894"S S.E.A.L. Div- 28/11/2015 15°C - Low Tide - 0.5m Swell - Nil Sponges, seasquirts etc - 10 Dive Woolamai - 145°21'700"E ing Services Current - Slack Tidal Stream - Max. Low Rocky Reef - Rubble Sponge gardens Depth 14m - Visibility 10m - Sand/Mud Cape Woolamai 38°33'927"S S.E.A.L. Div- 6/12/2015 14°C - 0.5m Swell - Weak Current - Mixed algae - Sponges, 3 Dive - Middle Point 145°20'957"E ing Services Max. Depth 14m - Visibility 15m seasquirts etc - Low Rocky Reef - Sand/Mud

32 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 APPENDIX Survey Site GPS Location Group Date Site conditions Habitat type Participants Snorkel/ undertaken Dive

WEST VICTORIA

Pea Soup, Port 38°23'32.7"S Daktari Surf 5/12/2015 17°C - Low Tide - 0.5 m Swell - Kelp - Spenges, seasquirts 12 Dive Fairy 142°13'59.0"E and Dive Weak Current - Max. Depth 5m - etc - Mixed Algae - Sea- Visibility 10m grass - Sand/Mud - Rubble - Low Rocky Reef Warrnambool 38°24'10.1"S Daktari Surf 6/12/2015 17°C - High Tide - 1 m Swell - Nil Sponges, Seasquirts etc 8 Dive Breakwater 142°28'29.8"E and Dive Current - Max. Depth 7m - Visibility - Mixed Algae - Artificial 10m Reef - Sand/Mud Merri Marine 38°23'56.4"S Daktari Surf 6/12/2015 16°C - Low Tide - 1 m Swell - Nil Kelp - Sponges, Seasquirts 8 Dive Sanctuary, near 142°27'59.1"E and Dive Current - Ebb Tidal Stream - Max. - Mixed Algae - Seagrass - Warrnambool Depth 12m - Visibility 8m Sand/Mud - Rubble - Low Rocky Reef - Large Rocky Reef Eagle Rock Ma- 38°28'06.9"S Friends of 22/11/2015 16°C - Low Tide - 1 m Swell - Kelp - Mixed Algae - Low 13 Snorkel rine Sanctuary 144°06'20.3"E Eagle Rock/ Strong Current - Ebb Tidal Stream Rocky Reef Parks Vic- - Max.Depth 2m - Visibility 5m toria Lorne Pier 38°32'52.0"S Lorne-Aireys 7/12/2015 Middle Tide - 1 m Swell - Weak Kelp - Mixed Algae - 27 Snorkel 143°59'13.5"E Inlet p-12 Current - Max. Depth 3m - Visibility Sponges, Seasquirts etc School 1m - Low Rocky Reef - Sand/ Mud La Bella Wreck 38°24.258'S Warrnam- 13/12/2015 15°C - 1.5 m Swell - Strong Current Sponges, Seasquirts etc 9 Dive (boat dive site 142°28.882'E bool Sub - Max. Depth 140m - Visibility 6m - Seagrass - Sand/Mud from Warrnam- Aqua Club -Artificial Reef bool) 800m South of NA Warrnam- 13/12/2015 15°C - 2 m Swell - Strong Current - Sponges, seasquirts etc - 6 Dive Middle Island bool Sub Max. Depth 24m - Visibility 5m Large Rocky Reef - Rubble ("Gary's spot") Aqua Club

APPENDIX 33 7.3 TABLE 3. A BREAKDOWN OF EACH SITE WITH THE HABITAT TYPES AND SITE CONDITIONS ON THE DAY OF SURVEYING.

Location (Surveyed by) Other species recorded

MORNINGTON PENINSULA

Rye Pier (Dive and Dive) Goat Fish

Blairgowrie Pier (Ocean Divers) Mosaic Leatherjackets, Globe fish, Trevally (school), Unidentified species (perhaps velvet fish or frog fish- pics sent to Museum Victoria) Ricketts Point 'Yacht Club end' (Sandringham College Year 7s) Banjo Shark, Common Stingray, Toadfish, Flathead, Southern Goatfish (juvenile), Globe Fish, Snapper Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary, near Flinders (Friends of Snapper, Spotted Ray, Mullet, Grass Whiting, Flathead, Moonlighter, Eagle Ray, Stingaree, Mushroom Reef) Red Mullet, Trevally, Toadfish Mornington Pier (MONUC-MASC) Common Octopus, Gurnard, Moonlighter, Bridled Leatherjacket

BELLARINE PENINSULA

Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary (Friends of Barwon Bluff/Parks Vic) Australian Salmon (large school- possibly hundreds), Eagle Ray, Smooth Stingray, Globe Fish

PORT PHILLIP BAY

Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary, Point Cook (Marine Care Point Globe Fish, Toadfish, Flathead, Southern Hulafish, Fiddler Ray (lots), Shoveline Stingaree, Cooke) Eagle Ray, Little Weed Whiting

Capel Sound Reef (VSAG) Cuttlefish Hurricane Wreck - survey 1 (VSAG) Pot Belly Sea Horse, Sting Ray, Snapper, Moonlighter

Hurricane Wreck - survey 2 (VSAG) Longfin Pike, Brown Striped Leatherjacket, Yellow Striped Leatherjacket, Mosaic Leather- jacket, Black Banded Seaperch, Banded Stingaree, Common Stingaree, Smooth Stingray

Hurricane Wreck - survey 3 (VSAG) Cuttlefish, Gurnard, Butterfly fish, Small Ray, Bream, Pinkies (small bream), Goatfish Jawbone Marine Sanctuary, near Williamstown (Jawbone Marine Fiddler Ray, other rays, Grass Whiting, Pigmy Leatherjacket, Box fish, Globe fish, Pipefish, Sanctuary Care) King George Whiting, Bream, Toadfish, Whiting EAST VICTORIA

Shack Bay, Bunurong Marine National Park, near Inverloch (SGCS) Moonlighters, Port Jackson Sharks, Globe Fish Wilson Promontory - Great Glennie (S.E.A.L Diving Services) Velvet Fish

Cape Woolamai - Middle Point (S.E.A.L Diving Services) Bluelined Leatherjacket, Toadfish, Rock Lobsters WEST VICTORIA

Warrnambool Breakwater (Daktari Surf and Dive) Sea horses, Weed Ash, Spotted Ray, Bull Ray, Eagle Ray, Wobbegong, Port Jackson Shark, Yellowtail, Cuttle, Abalone (approx. 400 healthy), Globefish, Gurnard Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary, near Aireys Inlet (Friend of Eagle Rock) Toad Fish, Yellow Striped Leatherjacket, Sand Whiting 800m South of Middle Island, "Gary's spot" (Warrnambool Sub Aqua Rock Lobster, Bulls eyes Club)

34 GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT 2015 APPENDIX APPENDIX 35 Address: Level 3, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053. Phone: 03 9347 5188. Email: [email protected] Website: www.vnpa.org.au