Reef watcher

Issue 1, number 1, May 1997

Welcome, at long last, to this our first edition of Reef Watcher, a bi-monthly newsletter produced by Margi Prideaux (Reef Watch Coordinator) and Jon Emmett (Reef Watch Facilitator) for you, the divers and volunteers who are making Reef Watch happen. This edition contains background information about Reef Watch and hopefully it will answer some of the questions you may have. For this reason we also plan to send this edition to all new members in the future.

Your input into Reef Watcher is very welcome. Each edition will contain articles of interest not only to divers but also to anyone who has an interest in our marine and coastal environments. You are welcome to contribute articles, letters, photographs, hints, observations, dive tales - anything that might be of interest. Not only will it be a way of providing feedback on the progress of different groups but we also hope Reef Watcher will become a network for exchanging ideas and information so that we can learn more about the wonders of our reefs and the creatures that inhabit them.

What Is Reef Watch??

Reef Watch is a unique and exciting long term community-based reef monitoring program. It recognises that recreational divers spend the most time in the water and are naturally the best placed to notice and monitor changes which are occurring on the reefs and in the marine environment generally. As a result of their own observations divers were a force in initiating the project through repeated requests for improved management and monitoring of reefs and the marine environment. Many divers have been concerned for some time about the declining state of some of our reefs and this is an opportunity to do something about it. Reef Watch will finally enable the observations of divers to be compiled, interpreted, taken seriously and put to good use in ensuring that we have healthy reefs in the future.

What does Reef Watch Aim to do??

Reef Watch aims to produce a number of much needed outcomes:

• to monitor the status and health of South Australia's reefs with the support of recreational divers;
• to establish a database of information enabling improved knowledge of reefs and the marine environment;
• increase community education and awareness of issues affecting SA's reefs; and
• increase community influence and involvement in decision making and management for our coasts and oceans.

Why should we be concerned??

As urban centres and economic activity have grown an increasing number of threats and impacts have been imposed on the marine environment. Many of these have only recently been recognised and few are properly understood. In many cases it has been recreational divers who have noticed the impacts first. These impacts, some of which you may have witnessed yourself, include:

nutrient and chemical pollutant loading and increased turbidity from sewage and stormwater discharge, especially close to cities;
poorly sited development, damaging dunes, beaches and nearshore reefs;
overfishing by some commercial and recreational fishers;
introduction of feral species from ship ballast water;
oil and other chemical spills;
anchor damage; and
some tourist activities which bring people into direct contact with reefs.

But perhaps the most significant threat is our general lack of knowledge and understanding of reefs and other marine ecosystems. Currently there is very little official monitoring of the status and health of reefs. Reef Watch has the potential to make an enormous contribution to our knowledge and in the long term may assist in securing better management and protection of our reef systems.

How will Reef Watch work??

Divers will be supplied with a kit containing the equipment necessary to conduct the monitoring. In designing the kit, emphasis has been placed on ease of use. For those wishing to gather more complex data, subsequent stages of the kit will be produced. See Kit article, this issue.

Initially, monitoring will focus on six metropolitan reefs, including: Aldinga, Port Noarlunga, Hallett Cove, Broken Bottom, the Barge and Dredge and Semaphore. The program plans to 'officially' extend to as many other sites as possible over the next few years. However, if divers currently know of and can access other locations they are encouraged to monitor these sites too.

Dive groups and clubs will be encouraged to 'adopt' specific reefs and visit them regularly (ie 3 or 4 times per year) to increase both the volume of information for that site and also to increase diver's abilities to recognise changes to individual sites, especially over periods of time.
Information collected will be used to generate a database, enabling further analysis and interpretation. The aim here is to develop 'indicators' of reef health measured through either the presence, abundance or absence of certain species. It is important to remember that this is a community-based project and that the information in the database will be accessible to participating divers and the general community at all times.

Reef Watch will soon have its own web site too. Divers, clubs, schools, universities and, in fact, any person around the world with Internet access will be able to learn from and contribute to Reef Watch.

Reef Watcher dive expeditions

One idea we've been considering is to have regular, scheduled reef monitoring dive trips. Whilst clubs are welcome to participate, this hopefully will also appeal to those who are not part of an existing club or perhaps those who dive irregularly or don't have a regular dive buddy. We could easily plan to dive a number of different sites on certain days and compile a list of those wishing to attend. Those without buddies could partner-up on the day. It could be a great way to dive often, meet new divers and contribute to the project.

Please let me (Jon - 8223 5155) know if this idea appeals to you. In the meantime, I'll start planning some trips and update the details in each newsletter.

The Benefits of Being Involved With Reef Watch

Different people will no-doubt gain different benefits from becoming involved in Reef Watch. For those who dive very regularly, it may represent a new, rewarding reason to dive or an opportunity to apply your skills in a new way. For others it may represent a reason to return to diving. Some non-divers simply see its value as a community environment monitoring program and wish to volunteer for non-dive related activities.

The project is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the ecology of our reefs and the ways in which the creatures, plants and environmental processes contribute to the incredible diversity of life that so intrigues many of us when diving. Whatever your reason, you will be making a valuable contribution to the improved understanding of our reefs and, in turn, their improved management.

Who else is involved??

To support and facilitate the program funding has been received from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Coastcare.

A number of agencies have expressed an interest in Reef Watch. The program is coordinated by the Conservation Council of SA Inc in conjunction with the Scuba Divers Federation, the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), the Marine Life Society of South Australia (MLSSA), the Marine and Coastal Community Network and the Threatened Species Network. The University of Adelaide have assisted with advice and wish to maintain an ongoing involvement.

International Year of the Reef

The International Year of the Reef is in full swing this year. The Year was declared to increase international awareness about the threats to coral reefs around the world. These threats include pollution, global warming and ozone depletion.

We can happily announce that there is consenus within Australia for the incluion of temperate reefs in the Australian awareness campaign. This is good news for Reef Watch and other similar programs around temperate Australia.

A number of official initiatives are planned for Australia. First and foremost is the International Reef Check program which will take survey information collected around the world within a one week window for inclusion in an international database to develop a "snap shot" of international reef health.

At the moment the International Reef Check program only caters for coral reefs: however we are assured that in the near future temperate reefs will become an official part of the program. In the meantime, the collection of data on temperate reef systems remains valuable for both scientific information and community awareness and we are being encouraged to participate in this collection.

The second official program running during the International Year of the Reef is 'Murder under the Microscope'. This is a targeted national educational game run in schools all over the country. Each year the 'Murder' game chooses an ecosystem to highlight, and then constructs an educational sleuthing games for schools to play'. Students work throughout the year to be the first to solve the mystery.

Along the way, a substantial amount of information will be imparted to the schoolchildren about the ecosystem and how it functions. By packaging this information in a fun game, interest remains strong and more learning takes place. This year the game is showcasing reefs (both coral and temperate) as the ecosystem where the murder mystery occurs.

Australia is lucky to have both of these programs running this year. Momentum to protect the reefs will build from the school level up to recreational divers and contribute to the international push to protect the world's reefs.

Margi Prideaux

Monitoring temperate reefs - The Diver's Kit

The Kit will consist of a small catch bag containing all the necessary tools and information to enable divers to carry out the monitoring process. In producing the Kit we have received advice from technical advisers to ensure the information gained is scientifically-based, valuable and useful. We have also taken into account that each individual diver will come to the program with different background knowledge, interest and experience.

The important thing to remember is that you don't have to be a marine biologist to participate in Reef Watch!! The Kit has been specifically designed to allow divers to learn and progress over time. Learning can also be very enjoyable - how many times have you spotted a beautiful or unusual marine creature or plant and wondered in vain what it was? Monitoring reefs will help you to recognise and understand many of the life forms whose world you share each time you dive. It can help make the diving experience even more meaningful and rewarding.

The Kit has been developed in two stages. Both stages involve a fish count and a survey of the bottom dwelling (or 'benthic') life forms. Information gained from either method is equally valid and useful - the main difference between the two is the method employed.

Stage 1 of the Kit is designed to introduce divers to the surveying methods and collection of data. In addition to the fish identification and count, divers will record the different forms of vegetation occurring along the span of a 10 metre rope. ID charts will be provided to assist in this. We expect that it will take divers at least one dive to become familiar with the process. Once divers feel they have mastered this stage they can, if they wish, move on to stage two.

Stage 2 also involves the identification of fish, but the bottom survey will also include all the different life forms which live among, and share the reefs surface, with the vegetation. Thus divers will also be recording sponges, shellfish, sea squirts, crabs, cuttlefish - anything which is found within the survey site. In stage 2, each survey site will be a 1 square metre quadrat. Once divers are familiar with the process and are good at recognising different life forms, it may be possible to do several quadrats in one dive.

Training

Step by step instructions for the Kit are contained in a training manual which will be supplied to all divers. We're very keen to organise times to come and speak to individuals, pairs and dive groups and will be conducting training days regularly. So, get in touch and give it a go!!

Reef Watch's Official Launch

1997 is the International Year of the Reef. Activities to celebrate and protect the global reef systems are occurring world wide. South Australia's contribution has been to launch Reef Watch.

The program launch took place at Port Noarlunga Reef on March 16th and was a great success.

Officially opened by Senator Robert Hill and Susan Jeanes MP, Federal Member for Kingston, the launch attracted some very positive media attention.

Peter Koszegi from Scuba Divers Federation took Senator Hill and Susan Jeanes for a leisurely stroll down the Port Noarlunga Jetty to be met by a great turnout of divers.

Two divers waited beside the reef for the Senator to arrive and the Reef Watch banner was officially rolled out for all to see.

Such is the potential for Reef Watch to contribute to marine environmental monitoring that interest has also been received from interstate organisations.

Divers in South Australia have the opportunity to make Reef Watch a leading program in this expanding field and an important contribution to the International Year of the Reef. From Your Slate..

Communicating underwater can be difficult at the best of times! Why not use this space?

We'd like to devote a section of this newsletter to open discussion - letters, articles, comments, hints, photographs, observations, tales from the deep - or anything else you would like to contribute that may be of interest to other readers.

Remember, the majority of readers will be divers and others with an interest in reefs and marine and coastal issues. It could be a good opportunity to network with other groups and inform the dive community of events or issues of significance.

We'd also like to hear your suggestions and comments on Reef Watch - the program, monitoring process, newsletter, coordination of the program etc. Communication and feedback will keep all of us better informed and is a vital part of any community-based project. Keep in touch.

So...

FILL
THIS
SPACE !!

Content:

Great White Shark - Protected!!
Divers report damage at Wirrina
Great Australian Bight Marine Park - Draft Management Plan
A Marine Strategy for South Australia
Environment Protection Authority reports on Seagrass
Patawalonga Development Project - Announcement

Great White Shark - Protected!!

Jon Emmett

The Great White Shark, like most top-order predators, is a creature which is often viewed with a combination of fear and respect. Very little is known about these reclusive fish but it is thought that southern Australia is one of their most important habitat and possibly breeding areas in the world. What is known, however, is their populations seem to be dwindling in the face of game and commercial fishing.

In an important move which hopefully signifies a growing commitment to the marine environment the State Government has recently announced that the species is to be protected from capture, holding or killing. Capture will only be permitted for the purposes of tagging and research. This follows approximately eight years of action by those concerned for the future of the species.

Divers report damage at Wirrina

Jon Emmett

Early last year divers reported extensive damage to reef and seagrass communities adjacent to the Wirrina Cove area. The issue was again reported in the Summer '96 edition of Southern Regional Ripples, the newsletter of the Marine and Coastal Community Network (MCCN). The article described how commercial fishermen and residents had reported huge sediment plumes, spreading up to ten kilometres along the coast and one kilometre out to sea. The source of the sediment seems to be the construction of the massive Wirrina marina development.

Incidences such as this are alarming for a number of reasons. In this case the continual turbidity poses a threat for seagrass communities as they require a good supply of sunlight. Disturbance may easily be transferred to adjacent reefal communities and other important habitats. Additional impacts may come from the increased boating activity supported by a marina, especially from carelessly placed anchors and the toxic antifoulants commonly used on permanently moored boats. The tendency of molluscs to accumulate toxins within their bodies has recently hit the headlines with the oyster-related hepatitis scare in the eastern states. For similar reasons the eating of mussels from the Port River and West Lakes systems has been discouraged for many years now.

This area also supports a major squid nursery and commercial fishery. There seems to have been little consideration of the impacts on this and other species when decisions were made to construct the marina.

Divers who regularly visit this or nearby sites may be able to provide some insight into the extent of the damage to the reefs and seagrass areas. Ongoing monitoring may also provide useful information as to the ability of such areas to cope with the impacts of development. If anyone has any information to add to this article, or wishes to begin monitoring there immediately, please let us know.

Great Australian Bight Marine Park - Draft Management Plan

Jon Emmett

In a major boost for the protection of South Australian marine areas, the GABMP is well on its way to becoming a fully functioning marine park. It was officially proclaimed on December 26, 1995 and the period of public viewing and comment on the Draft Management Plan has just finished. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources will now consider the comments of the public and other stakeholders and will formulate the final Management Plan.

The Park proposes a sanctuary zone at the Head of the Bight to protect the critical breeding areas of the endangered Southern Right Whale and other sanctuary areas to protect the breeding colonies of the rare Australian Sea Lion. The Head of the Bight is one of the world's most significant breeding sites for this species of whale, hunted almost to extinction and now numbering approximately 3000 worldwide. The massive cliffs also offer one of the best natural viewing places for whales in the world. Australian Sea Lions are thought to number approximately 10,000 with very recently discovered breeding colonies making this area of great importance to them.

Another benefit of the Marine Park is that it will protect representative samples of some of our unique southern Australian marine ecosystems. Apart from the sanctuary zones, however, mining and commercial fishing will be permitted in the Park. It is critical that the Management Plan ensures strict guidelines to protect these unique areas. Stay tuned for further updates.

A Marine Strategy for South Australia

Jon Emmett

The State Government is currently in the process of developing a Marine Strategy for the state. Most of us live within a few kilometres of the nearest coast and as divers we also choose to recreate in this area. Australians are generally a coastal people and nearly all our large population centres are located at the coast. It is a central part of our lives and satisfies many of our recreational, social and economic desires. But with increased population and use comes increased pressure on these fragile environments.

It has long been realised that there is a need to more appropriately manage and plan our activities at the coast, particularly in view of the potential for loss of marine and coastal habitat associated with poorly planned development. Past approaches to management of the coast reveal poor integration between different agencies with responsibilities for coastal areas. Management practices have been fragmented and have often conflicted with those of other agencies.

Recent major Commonwealth reports have identified the need for a more integrated approach to coastal management. To achieve this the Marine Strategy is seeking input from community, industry, indigenous and other interest groups along with state and local government agencies. It is hoped that such wide input will produce coordinated, workable, robust solutions to management problems.

Issues which should be addressed include: a system of marine reserves for SA; managing land-based catchment runoff; sewage and industrial pollution discharge; aquaculture (fish farming); habitat rehabilitation, research and monitoring; awareness of indigenous interests; education and public awareness; and legislative and administrative reform.

An integrated and cooperative approach to these issues should ensure the protection and sustainable use of the marine and coastal environment for the future of all South Australians. The Marine Strategy is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Environment Protection Authority reports on Seagrass

Jon Emmett

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA), one of the agencies providing funding for Reef Watch, has called for urgent action to stop the loss of seagrass off the coast of metropolitan Adelaide. In an article in the 'Advertiser', 3/5/97, the EPA claimed heavy metal contamination, algal concentration and suspended sediments were contributing to the seagrass dieback. The most likely cause of these conditions is the discharge of stormwater and sewage into the sea. Adelaide's metropolitan coast has lost up to 7,000 hectares of seagrasses, a vital marine habitat, since the discharges began. Once again, divers are the most likely to notice changes.

Patawalonga Development Project - Announcement

Jon Emmett

Regular divers at Glenelg may have noticed on Thursday May 1 the Premier, Mr Olsen announced the State Government's decision on the issue of whether or not to divert stormwater from the Patawalonga Basin directly to the sea. The decision will largely determine whether the multi-million dollar private development proposal for the area proceeds.

Historically, one of the major impediments to development success at Glenelg was the issue of very poor water quality in the Patawalonga basin. Readers will probably remember the huge black plumes off the coast of West Beach each time the Pat was discharged. Or as the Holdens Dive Club recalled to me recently, launching their boat was made difficult by the sandbar caused by the breakwater interrupting the natural flow of sand along the coast. In the past government provisions required that developers solve these environmental issues in order to secure the residential and marina components of their plans.

On this, the sixth attempt to redevelop the Glenelg foreshore and environs, the government has taken responsibility for the environmental issues in an effort to ensure that the development succeeds. For many years the Patawalonga Basin has acted as a stormwater ponding basin, allowing the sediments and pollutants (eg oil, chemicals, fertilisers etc) to settle before the water was discharged into the sea. It seems the government now wishes to divert the stormwater away from the basin and discharge it, seemingly unfiltered, into the marine environment at West Beach.

The Pat Basin will be sealed and flushed regularly with seawater, similar to West Lakes. It will improve water quality in the basin to the primary contact level (ie you can swim in it year-round) required by the private developers, thereby ensuring development success.

Some community groups and local councils have claimed this will lead to increased pollution of the waters off our coast. Because of the area taken by the developers, a new boat launching facility (with yet another breakwater) will be constructed at West Beach adding to the sand management problems on our beaches. Protests over the last two years at Henley and Grange and West Beach have accused the government of sacrificing our beaches and marine environment for the sake of private development at Glenelg.

The State Government is justifying the diversion saying that wetlands to be constructed upstream will filter stormwater prior to discharge. A number of public submissions to the Environmental Impact Statement strongly questioned the size of such wetlands and whether they will be large enough to filter the volume of stormwater discharged by the Pat each year. Is the government serious about the quality of the coast and sea or is it more concerned to secure development ??

It seems likely that this debate will rage for some time yet. If the concerns of many residents are true, this project could severely impact upon the quality of the marine habitats off our coast. It would be interesting to compare monitoring results taken now at, say, the Barge and Dredge to those taken in five years time. Divers will probably be the only people capable of monitoring any changes associated with this.

BUDDY TEAM

Reef Watch is a community environment monitoring program. The phenomenal rise of similar community group activity around Australia in recent years means we can now tap into a network which is large, active and growing rapidly. This section is intended to provide the names and contact details of organisations and groups with similar orientations to Reef Watch - caring for our reefs, coasts and oceans. Some of these organisations are providing support, advice and funding for Reef Watch.

COASTCARE

Coastcare provides support for community groups involved in the restoration, enhancement and management of coastal areas. It encourages cooperation between community groups and local area managers in the development of improved management strategies.

Contact: Damian Moroney (State Coastcare Coordinator)
GPO box 2693
Adelaide, SA, 5001
Ph. (08) 8224 2046 fax (08) 8224 2099

Peter Chapple (Central Region Facilitator)
City of Port Adelaide & Enfield
Port Adelaide, SA, 5015
Ph. (08) 8405 6833 fax (08) 8341 0793

MARINE AND COASTAL COMMUNITY NETWORK

MCCN is a non-government, community-based organisation funded through the Ocean Rescue 2000 program. It produces a very informative, quarterly national and regional newsletter containing many articles of interest and helps to facilitate similar community-based monitoring projects including "Dragon Search". MCCN also prepares information sheets on marine and coastal issues and can help direct people to information, advice and assistance.

Contact: Tony Flaherty (SA Regional Coordinator)
Marine and Coastal Community Network
PO Box 120
Henley Beach, SA, 5022
Ph. (08) 8200 2455 fax (08) 8200 2481

MARINE LIFE SOCIETY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

MLSSA promotes awareness and protection of the marine environment and produces a monthly newsletter. Meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 8pm at the Conservation Council of SA, 120 Wakefield St Adelaide.

Contact: Philip Hall (President)
C/- 120 Wakefield St
Adelaide SA 5000
Ph. (08) 8270 4663

THREATENED SPECIES NETWORK, SA

Coordinate awareness and education on threatened and endangered species and habitats and promotes community involvement in recovery plans and actions.

Contact: Vicki-Jo Russell
C/- Conservation Council of SA
120 Wakefield St
Adelaide SA 5000
Ph. (08) 8223 5155

SCUBA DIVERS FEDERATION OF SA

Contact: Peter Koszegi (President)
PO Box 360
Goodwood SA 5034
Ph. (08) 8222 6424

or

Helena Snadden (Secretary)
Ph. (08) 8231 6144 fax (08) 8212 5887

or

Phil Booth (Conservation Officer)
Ph. (08) 8381 5378

SURFRIDER FOUNDATION

Promotes community awareness of marine and coastal issues.

Contact: Geoff Atkins (President)
Ph. (08) 8345 0188

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