Print Coastline 32 - WordPress.com · bouncing baby boy (named Noah because his birth coincided with Victoria’s big wet in Feb). Congrats to Mum, Dad, and family. Yours for the

CoastlineThe Coast Action/Coastcare Newsletter

Communities caring for our coast

ISBN 1329-0835 Edition 31

Autumn 2005

Welcome friends of Victoria’s magnificent marineand coastal environment to this first issue of2005. We have truly one of the world’s greatcoastlines and like you I too am concerned thatwe need to care for and wisely manage thisunique environment for both present and futuregenerations. In this issue of Coastline you willread about some of the important ways we areaddressing the issues.

One man who is inspiring many at the momentand raising the coastal profile through his ‘Walkthe Talk’ is Victorian Coastal Council memberLynn Murrell. Lynn’s effort to traverse the entireVictorian coastline on foot highlighting the valuesof our coasts and seas and the important role weall play in caring for it is nothing short ofremarkable. You can read of his epic journey onthe following page and also check him out onthe cover. We also have a number of articlesfeaturing some of the great work carried out byvolunteers who are “walking the talk” by gettingthe job done, many of whom have made a pointof meeting Lynn in their patch.

This issue of Coastline also features a focus onthe important role of ‘Interpretation’ forconnecting Victorians with our coast.Interpretation is the form of communication usedto ‘help others make sense of the natural world’and is one of the ways we promote caring forour coasts and seas.

We have a number of interpretive pieces writtenby our Regional Facilitators. Denis Cox helps us tounderstand how our coast is shaped by wind andwaves, while Tracey Pennington reveals some ofour incredible coastal migrant species. BruceAtkins gives some insight into rockpool critters;Glen Forster introduces us to a deep water visitor,while Di Moore reveals how Interpretation cantranscend cultural boundaries.

Our collection of images provides a snapshot ofsome of the many interpretive sessions deliveredthrough the Summer Activities Program 2005together with some thoughts from participants.

Perhaps the greatest compliment our programcould be given was this one from a happySummer Activities Program participant…“Informative, educational, well presented andabove all great fun”. We hope you all enjoyed itand look forward to next year.

On the program front for this year Coast Action /Coastcare have many exciting initiativesunderway. A project is underway to producesome great resources for Victorian teachers andstudents while we are also delivering a Marineand Coastal Ecology Course for those directlyinvolved in coastal management. We are workingwith communities across Victoria to secure fundsthrough the Australian Government’s NHT andEnvirofund programs are being provided toprotect and enhance our Coastline, andcontinuing to work and build communities with astrong sense of stewardship for the coast.

I am personally delighted to be acting inCatherine Clancy’s role as the Sate ProgramCoordinator whilst Catherine attends tosignificant life events. She has just had abouncing baby boy (named Noah because hisbirth coincided with Victoria’s big wet in Feb).Congrats to Mum, Dad, and family.

Yours for the Coast,

Mark RodrigueState Program Coordinator

From the State ProgramCoordinator.

2 Coastline Newsletter of Coast Action/Coastcare Autumn 2005

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Edithvale foreshore: Lynn is joined by CoastAction/CoastcareFacilitators Glen Forster, Bruce Atkin (left and centre-right) and

State Program Coordinator Mark Rodrigue (centre-left).

Walk the Talk – A journey from west to east…By Cathy Ronalds, Project Officer – Victorian Coastal Council

Coastline Newsletter of Coast Action/Coastcare Autumn 2005 3

On the bleak morning of Tuesday 4 January thisyear, Victorian Coastal Council (VCC) memberLynn Murrell set off from the South Australianborder on the first solo walk of Victoria’scoastline, a journey that was to take him fourmonths to complete.His journey would takehim along beaches,cliffs, through coastalNational Parks andalong the shores ofeach Marine National Park and Sanctuary, and ofcourse through the growing coastal urbanenvironment of our towns and cities.

“The Victorian coast is as diverse as ourweather,” Lynn said, as his walk coincided withthe storm event that buffeted our coast onThursday 3 February . Lynn said that his journeyis one of immense physical challenge but thatthe chance to raise awareness of the effortsbeing made to preserve our coasts for futuregenerations was well worthwhile.

Lynn is an active community member both withinhis local community of Nelson and arepresentative for the wider community onvarious Boards and Committees at a regional andstate level. In addition to his role on the VCCLynn is Chairman of the Western Coastal Board,a member of the Glenelg-Hopkins CatchmentManagement Authority and President of theFriends of Cape Nelson Landcare/CoastcareGroup.

“I’ve been involved in the management andconservation of Victoria’s coasts for many yearsfrom behind a desk, with lots of talking” Lynnsaid. “I have wanted to get out and ‘Walk theTalk’ for a long time.”

In one of his many highlights along the journey,Lynn was welcomed in Port Melbourne byMinister for Environment, John Thwaites.Minister Thwaites presented Lynn with a new

pair of walking shoes to complete his remainingjourney, and proceeded to join him on his walktowards St Kilda.

Lynn has been rarely alone for too long on hisjourney so far being joined by many people

along his way. These includemembers of Parliament,mayors and councillors fromlocal government, schoolgroups, chairs of CatchmentManagement Authorities

and many community group members.

He spent a great deal of time talking with localpeople about their local patches of coast. Lynnhas recorded the many issues he has learnt ofthrough these conversations with locals and willbe presenting his record of observations andinsights to the Victorian Coastal Council.

Lynn’s journey has been recorded on his websitewww.walkthetalk.ws . Photographs can befound at www.vcc.vic.gov.au

“I really am inspired to continue thiswalk each morning with the thoughtof discovering and seeing newsections of our amazing coast.”

Port Melbourne: Minister Thwaites, after presenting Lynn with his new walking shoes and Marine National Park postcards.

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I am a member of Friends of the Bluff. It was atthe Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary that I oncelicked a sea anemone.

OK. Given the fact that anemones tend to sharetheir mouth with their anus, the lingeringconfusion caused by the doubt as to whether itwas a girl or a boy anemone and the excruciatingpain inflicted on my person by theaforementioned gender non-specific seaanemone, this is not something of which I amthat proud. The point is, I would never have hadthis extraordinary experience if I were not amember of a friends group.

Friends groups provide a level of intimacy withthe environment that may not be otherwiseavailable. And with intimacy come questions.And with questions come answers, with answerscomes knowledge, with knowledge comes

understanding and with understanding comespassion. And that’s what friends groups do best.Tthey provide purpose to peoples passion.

Let me give you the example of Dianne. Dianne ispassionate about diving. If Dianne were to join aMarine National Park ‘Friends’ group she wouldimmediately become involved in the Reefwatchprogram. Her Reefwatch kit would give her asolid grounding in species identification. Shewould be encouraged to design, map, plan andfollow specific dive trails monitoring, recordingand photographing the flora and fauna foundthereon building up a vast wealth of localknowledge on the seasonal comings and goingsof marine wildlife. The information can be addedto the Reefwatch data base thus adding to thenational perspective of her Marine National Park.

Dianne will eventually want to share herencyclopaedic knowledge and passion withothers and so will develop a host of educationalactivities. She may produce a CD and web sitelike ‘Living on the Edge’(www.barwonbluff.com.au ). She and other likeminded ‘Friends’ would draw on the talents,resources and passions of dozens of other peopleto produce a CD that is a field guide, a teachingaid and a virtual rockpool ramble with thousandsof images that seduce, enlighten and inform.‘The Living on the Edge’ CD could be distributedlocally, statewide, nationally and globally.

Armed with a resource like this Dianne can set upan interactive display at the local festival andspruik about the wonders and mysteries ofMarine National Parks. She can engage with local

Marine NationalParks – A Volunteer’sPerspectiveBy Jon Duthie, Title –Group?This is a personal reflection on the important contributionvolunteers can make to our Marine National Parks and MarineSanctuaries. Jon presented this at the second birthday celebrationof the Marine National Parks system at Ricketts Point on 16November 2004. Jon Duthie is the immediate past President (10years) of Friends of the Bluff, Barwon Heads.


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schools, conduct rockpool rambles, slide nights,seminars, workshops and forums. These activitieswill enhance the community’s understanding andappreciation of our Marine National Parks andbecause of her knowledge and passion. Diannewill assist Parks Victoria in developing asustainable management plan for her MarineNational Park.

Dianne will also look outside park boundaries toother marine and coastal features that needprotection and establish relationships with othermarine groups with the view to solving issues orsharing ideas about management, research andinterpretation.

In the future, between editing the group’snewsletter, writing a monthly column on marinestuff in the local newspaper and co-ordinatingworking bees for adjacent coastal protectionactivities, Dianne will look to establish a marineresource centre, develop an on line network withFriend’s groups around the Pacific rim, andeventually facilitate the first statewide conferenceof Marine National Parks friends’ groups. She willalso hold a full time job and raise a family.

So there you have it. Five minutes ago Diannewas just another diver, mucking about in theshallows. Now she is a dedicated and valuedmember of the global family of under funded,community Friends groups passionately involvedin retention and protection, management andadministration, monitoring and research,education and interpretation of our wonderfulcoastal and marine environment.


Remember:

• Friends’ groups give purpose to people’s passions;• Friends groups provide an important community

voice; and • Unless it is on a plate, never lick marine wildlife. Remember you will never be too young or too old to letyour passion make a difference to the future of ourwonderful marine and coastal environment.

• Visit www.barwonbluff.com.au if would like to knowmore about the Living on the Edge project.

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Seagrass inWesternportBy Tim Ealey, Project Coordinator – Coronet Bay Community Seagrass Project

Seagrasses are marine flowering plants notseaweeds (algae). In Western Port these plantsplay a vital role in trapping energy and throughtheir breakdown provide energy for a wide rangeof species from worms and shrimp, to birds andseals. Seagrasses provide a habitat for many smallinvertebrates and for juvenile fish by providingthem with protection from larger animals. Inaddition seagrasses also bind sediments, slowwater currents and increase water clarity.

It is therefore no wonder that their decline is amajor concern for Victoria not only in WesternPort but in many other bays, inlets, and estuaries.Over the last 30 years seagrass in Westernporthave declined about 80% and there has beenonly limited recovery.

Many of the factors believed to inhibit growth orkill seagrass are still operating. Sediment fromcatchments and nutrients from urban andagricultural land both create conditions making itdifficult for seagrasses to grow faster than therate at which they may be covered. Clearing of

the great KooWee RupSwamp lastcentury anddegradedstreamsfeeding thebay carryingsilt andnutrients areseen as likelycauses. Arecentinspection ofReef Islandshowed theregeneratingseagrass to becompletely

smothered by the green algae Enteromorpha, anindicator of high nutrient levels.

To understand growth patterns of seagrass andassist in reversing this problem, the Western PortSeagrass Partnership has carried out several yearsof research. In 2003 a dedicated crew ofvolunteers and a Green Corps team ignored galesand high waves to plant over 1000 cores aroundCoronet Bay beach. In October 2004, volunteerscollected a further 500 cores of seagrass that theGreen Corps planted using slow release fertiliser,on over 2000 square metres of sand flat. Manyhave been unfortunately washed away in stormsalthough some plants have managed to thrive.

"We found that plants with slow release fertiliseradded grew to 60-70 centimetres in four monthswith leaves four times longer than controls and ifthey were covered by sand they grew faster thanthey could be smothered," said Dr Tim Ealey. AnEPA test of the water near the plants showednegligible increased levels of nutrients comparedwith seepage from the beach and offshore water.

It is hoped that by April 2005 there will be largepatches of seagrass thriving at Coronet Baybeach. "We know whiting and mullet areattracted to seagrass, so once we get the grassback we can look forward to improved fishing,"Dr Ealey predicted.

NOTE: The EPA is currently preparing abrochure to raise awareness of the importanceof seagrass and identification of seagrassspecies. The brochure is currently inpreparation and is expected to be availablefrom the EPA Victoria soon.

Summertime, and theElephant Sharks are back….By ……

With five sets of reproductive structures, includingone on the head the Elephant Fish is one of ourmost unusual summertime visitors. While verydifferent looking to many of their cousins, theElephant Fish (Callorhinchus milii) is related tosharks and rays and sits in the classChondrichthyes. Unlike true bony fish, all theseanimals have a skeleton made of calcified cartilagethroughout their body which gives them theirform and structure. Elephant Fish belong to a subgroup called Chimaeras (Ghost Sharks), mostspecies of which are rarely seen, being mainlyfound in the deep sea.

The most distinctive feature of the Elephant Fish isa plough shaped nose that is used to forage forfood on the seabed. The end of the snout iscovered in sensory pits, which are used to detectmovement, water currents, and even electricalimpulses in the nerves of prey. Behind this snout isa mouth containing two very hard crushing platesused to feed on a range of hard shelled molluscsand crustaceans. They also scavenge the remainsof fish and other marine creatures from theseabed and as such are an important link in thenutrient recycling chain.

Elephant Fish are predominantly a deep sea fishliving at depths of at least 200 metres off thecontinental shelf of Australia and New Zealand.Males and females migrate in from these deepwaters to sheltered inshore bays and estuaries inlate summer to breed. Females then lay their largegolden coloured egg cases in the muddy and

sandy substrates before returning to their deepocean habitats.

It is during this time that the Elephant Fishbecomes a popular target for recreational anglers,particularly in Western Port, the lower section ofPort Phillip Bay and large estuaries like theBarwon. Because their flesh lacks fine bones thesefish are a popular target for the table.

All fish caught during the period from Februarythrough to May in Western Port are breedingadults and, with relatively little known about theirbiology and life cycle, anglers are encouraged toexercise discretion and keep well within theirlimits. Shark scientists at PIRVic – Queenscliff(formally MAFRI) have been undertaking researchinto Elephant Fish for a numbers of years and haveasked the coastal communities of Western Port toassist them in monitoring the location of washedup egg cases.

It is thought that the movement of Elephant Fishinto areas such as Western Port may be a relativelyrecent phenomenon and come as a result of thedegradation of preferred coastal spawninggrounds around New Zealand and Tasmania. Allthese factors should be taken into account whenfishing for and choosing to take Elephant Fish.

Anyone interested in assisting in the Elephant Fishresearch can contact Terry Walker or Justin Bell atPIRVic on 03 5258 0111.


Elephant fish (Callorchinchus milii) egg case

Female Elephant fish (Callorchinchus milii) laying eggs

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SEASTAR TEAM 2004 – A Partnership between the Community andGovernment to Eradicate a Marine Pest Like pest animal and plant outbreaks on land,marine pests are a threat to biodiversity and havethe potential to seriously affect habitats, foodchains and the wider ecosystem. Whileprevention is the key, marine pest outbreaks dooccur, triggering formal emergency procedures.

An outbreak of an introduced seastar on the BassStrait coastal town of Inverloch in January 2004prompted such an emergency response. TheNorthern Pacific Seastar is a voracious shellfisheater that has infested the Derwent River inTasmania and Port Phillip Bay in Victoria.

Unlike the population now well established andbreeding in Port Phillip Bay, there was a smallwindow of opportunity to eradicate this pestfrom Inverloch. The fear was that if allowed toget a foothold, the seastar would spread alongthe east coast of Victoria and into the southernwaters of NSW in coming years.

It was reports of individual seastars that hadnever been seen around Inverloch by localbeachcombers that attracted attention. Apartnership was immediately forged between theInverloch community and Government agenciesto respond to the outbreak.

The community was involved throughout theincident, providing input into decision makingand management actions. The SEASTAR TEAM2004 included over 300 volunteers. This includedsome individuals attending every dive eventduring the month spent looking for thepopulation, and then the months spent handcollecting them. Volunteers included divers, boatdrivers, the Red Cross, SES, Surf Life Saving Club,commercial fishers, beach combers, the localEnvironment Committee, Rate PayersAssociation, local businesses, and variousGovernment agencies.

A formal debrief of the emergency response wascompleted in early 2005, through the Office ofEmergency Services, and recommendations willbe adopted for future marine pest responses.

The debrief highlighted the low likelihood thateradication is ever feasible when a pest is spreadand that this was a unique opportunity.Prevention was highlighted as the key toprotecting the marine waters including ensuringthat all recreational boats and gear are cleanedproperly after each use.

The SEASTAR TEAM 2004 has received a numberof awards for their efforts including the UnitedNations “World Environment Day Award”, theCommonwealth Ministers “Coastal Custodian’sAward” and the Australian Invasive SpeciesCouncil “Froggatt Award”.

The TEAM returned to Inverloch in late Februaryto assess whether breeding of seastars has beenprevented in Inverloch. No juveniles and only oneadult were found. CSIRO are currently assessingthese results and the need for further dives, butthese results are looking promising that theefforts of the SEASTAR TEAM may have beensuccessful.

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Keeping Marine Pests in their PlaceBy Ingrid Holliday - Marine Biodiversity, DSE

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Victoria’s marine and coastal habitats are hometo more than 12,000 types of marine animalsand plants . Our way of life and many marineindustries depends on a healthy marineenvironment, an environment that can beseriously threatened by marine pests.

More than 250 marine species are known tohave been introduced to Australia. Howeveronly a handful of species have actually become‘pests’. With two to three new species beingintroduced each year, the potential for new a‘pest’ species to establish is clearly recognised.Some of the better known marine offenders inVictoria include the Northern Pacific Seastar, thekelp Undaria and the Sabellid Fanworm that areall now established in Port Phillip Bay.

As most of Victoria is free from these and otherpests we do not want to introduce them tonew areas. Almost impossible to get eradicateonce they have arrived “prevention is clearlybetter than cure”. It is important therefore thatthe spread of marine pests is limited, not onlyfrom locations in and around Victoria, but alsofrom place to place in Australia.

While action is being taken to prevent thespread of marine species through ballast waterand on ship hulls, the potential forspecies to be transported by theincreasing number of small vesselsbeing used in our waters is nowwell understood.

All people who use equipmentthat is transported from one partof the coast to another can play arole to prevent pests spreading.This includes use of small vesselsfor fishing, sail boats, skis, sea

kayaks, canoes, and scuba gear. Microscopiclarvae of pests can exist in the bilge water or indamp places or adult forms may occur inuncleaned gear or equipment.

Six simple steps help ensure that small vesselsand their equipment are kept clean of marinepests (from the Brochure – Treat ‘em Mean –Keep your Boat Clean).

DISLODGE all plants and animals and binthem;

DRAIN water from boat and gear. (Try tostop it draining back into the water body);

DISPOSE of unwanted live bait in the bin;

DOUSE your boat and gear withfreshwater. (Try to stop it draining back intothe water body);

DRY your boat and equipment; and

DON’T FORGET to apply an authorisedantifoulant where appropriate.

For more information or obtain a brochure onmarine pests visit the DSE website atwww.dse.vic.gov.au/marine or contact yourlocal DSE / Parks Victoria office.

hull surface

deck fittings

anchor well & anchor

grills/grates & crevices

coolingpipes

keel

keel bottom

outboardsail/

drive leg

propeller

rudder

Marlinboard

propellershaft

water inlets/outletssewagetanks

sonar tubes/echosounder

booths & transducers

bilge tanks

anchor well & anchor

hull surface

deck fittings

propeller

Burley bucket

sonar tubes/echosounder

booths & transducers

water inlets/outlets

Areas on your boat to target


Summer Activities Program 2005Quotes from Particpants’ attending activities during the Summer Activities Program ins 2005

“I was surprised bythe diversity andcolour of marine lifein Port Phillip Bay.”(Meet Our Unique MarineLife, St. Kilda)

“Terrific exposure for thechildren to have fun and learnfrom volunteers who arecommitted to theenvironment.” (Rockpool Ramble, Shoreham)

“We learned that the journey ismore important than the arrival.” (Koori Cultural Walk, Venus Bay)

“I have walked past many similarenvironments without any knowledge of whatwas underfoot. From now on its tread gently.”(Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary)

“More of the same as I believeteaching young childrenenvironmental awareness at ayoung age helps them to growup respecting the environmentand nature.” (Cape Conran Rockpool Ramble)

“Why is there not morearea protected in NationalMarine Parks?” (Underneath the Arches MarineSanctuary Dive)

“There is so much to look at. I didn’t realise somuch lived here.” (Merri Marine Sanctuary)

This is a great way to get to know aboutthe environment” (Mysteries of he Sea, Lorne)


“Definitely a highlight ofour school holidayprogram. We’ll be back.”(Point Addis Marine NationalPark Snorkel)

“Our family has enjoyed theseactivities run by Marine DiscoveryCentre and Coast Action/Coastcareand feel it has helped us appreciateand understand our environment somuch more.” (Swan Bay Mudflat Meander)

“I didn’t know that you should leave shellsfor other critters to live in. I’m gonna bringmy sister’s shell collection back to therockpool” (Discovery Bay Marine National Park)

“Excellent way to get the message about thebeach across. Hope to see you next year.”(Sing and Dance with ‘Starfish’ at Chadstone)

“It’s incredible howmany things we doimpact on the riverand sea.” (Sea KayakingTour, Lower Yarra)

“When I showed the group aLittle Green Seastar, and asked,“What colour is it, how big isit…therefore, what would youcall it?”, a small boy, about fiveor six, said “Fred!” (Corner InletDiscovery Walk)

“It’s a hard timeto feel good aboutthe sea (reTsunami) butyour songs madeus feel betterabout it.”(Warrnambool CoastAction/CoastcareConcert)

“It’s very goodfor futuregenerations tolearn to respectthe sea and seacreatures.”

Last year’s National Coastcare Week wascelebrated at Barwon Heads on Saturday 4December with a program focussing on youthparticipation in coastal and marine activities.

Coast Action/Coastcare in association with ParksVictoria and local friends groups, Friends of theBluff and Friends of the Lobster Pot, welcomedover 50 youths from inner Melbourne to BarwonHeads and introduced them to the local rockyshore environment and the creatures that live there.

Members from Brimbank Youth Services and theWestern Young People’s Independent Network inFootscray embarked on a marine adventure atthe Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary. For someparticipants it was their first visit to the coasthaving come from refugee camps in North Africaand never experiencing salt water before.

The young people participated in a rockpoolrambles and followed by a guided tours of theBarwon Estuary Heritage Centre that had themall enthralled, particularly by the hermit crabs.The many small creatures that live within therocks in the Marine Sanctuary also surprisedthem. Some participants even tried using a maskand snorkel to see under the water. This was aparticularly exciting experience, although asomewhat surprising one!

The program was a great way to bring peopletogether from a variety of backgrounds and

provide them with the opportunity to experienceand learn about our unique coastline. It alsoprovided coastal managers and volunteers withpractical strategies and a better understanding ofhow they can more inclusive in regards todifferent age groups and cultures whenundertaking education and managementprograms.

The event was also a great opportunity toshowcase Victoria’s marine protected areas andto extend the awareness of these spectacularsites to the managers caretakers of tomorrow,our youth.

The day concluded with participants playing agame of soccer on the beach and taking theplunge into the cool temperate waters of BarwonHeads. This was a particularly excitingopportunity for many and for some it was theirfirst swim in the ocean. Although they may haveleft with chattering teeth, you could not wipe thesmiles off their faces.

The contribution of many volunteers from localcommunity groups made the day possible,hosting rockpool rambles, guided tours of theHeritage Centre and cooking the BBQ. We lookforward to providing further opportunities toestablish links between youth, including thosefrom culturally diverse backgrounds, ourwonderful coastal volunteers, and the coastal andmarine environment.

A youth adventure on the coast.By Dianne Moore, Coast Action/Coastcare Facilitator – Port Phillip East



Our Migratory MarvelsBy Tracey Pennington, Facilitator – Coast Action/ Coastcare

Within our midst is a unique group of extremelyseasoned travelers, who often go unnoticed bymany of us. One group flies thousands ofkilometres each spring to reach our shores fromas far afield as Siberia, China and Japan, spendingall summer feeding and enjoying the sun. Theylater head north again in our autumn to live theendless summer. Another group navigates oursouthern oceans - departing Antarctica when itgets too chilly, staying a few months on our southwest coast to relax, mate and even have babies!

I am of course not referring to jet setting peoplebut migrating animals that face extremes ofweather, storms, predation, exhaustion and evenstarvation. Added to the natural challenges arehuman interferences such as ships, planes,pollution and habitat destruction. Many species inthe animal kingdom must migrate at differenttimes of the year to find food, a suitable climateand conditions for themselves and their young.Their lives and those of their off spring, in fact,the survival of their entire species, depends on it.

So which migratory marvels are in our midst? Weare lucky to have many right here in Victoria, whichcan be observed at different times of the year.

Southern Right WhalesThe Southern Right Whale’s migration seesanimals move north from their summer feedinggrounds off Antarctica, to shallower, warmercoastal waters off southern Australia, NewZealand, South Africa and South America. InVictoria, we are very fortunate to be able toobserve them close to shore at Logan’s beach inWarrnambool, where whale numbers havesteadily grown over the past few years. Arriving inMay, pregnant females give birth before or duringtheir stay, while other animals relax, or matebefore departing for their summer feedinggrounds again in early October. For informationon whale arrivals, call the Warrnambool VisitorInformation Centre on 03 5564 7837.

Migratory Wader BirdsWhat is so amazing about these birds is the sheerdistances they fly across the globe - twice a year!The different species, which vary greatly in size andshape, come here to feed in shallow waters ofinland and coastal wetland areas like estuaries,

bays and inlets. Many arrive in September andleave in April returning to their northern nestinggrounds. Some, like the Eastern Curlew, travel fromRussia, while the Latham’s or Japanese Snipe travelfrom Japan. Top coastal viewing locations fromMarch to September include mudflats and coastalwetlands located in Marine and Coastal Parks andour Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries.

Short-tailed ShearwatersThe Short-tailed Shearwater is another incrediblemigratory bird that covers an astounding 30,000kilometres a year in the round trip between theirbreeding grounds on Australia’s south east coast,and northern destinations as far afield as theArctic Ocean. Their full journey takes five monthsto complete, as they pass New Zealand, Japan,the Bering Sea and Alaska before crossing thePacific Ocean back to Australia. The Shearwaterscan be seen from late September to early April atMutton Bird Island in Port Campbell NationalPark, Griffith Island, Port Fairy and Philip Island.

Orange-bellied ParrotThe beautifully coloured endangered Orange-bellied Parrot migrates between Tasmania, BassStraight islands and Victoria’s coastline in searchof ever shrinking salt marsh habitat. Birds migratenorth from Tasmania between March and April,staying in south eastern coastal areas of themainland until mid October.

How you can help our Migratory Marvels• Always keep your dog on a lead at the beach

and well away from known wader bird areas;• Keep to main access tracks at the beach as

many birds like Shearwaters, nest in thedunes;

• Litter kills coastal and marine life, so pleasedispose of all rubbish, oils and chemicalsresponsibly;

• Observe birds and whales from a distance soas not to disturb them – binoculars areworthwhile; and

• Ensure boating regulations are followedwhen observing whales.

For more information on these migratory coastaland marine creatures contact Tracey Penningtonon 03 5263 3715.

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Located approximately 40 kilometres from Saleand 500 metres from the township of Seaspray,Ninety Mile Beach Marine National Park, covering2750 hectares, protects a representative area ofthe Ninety Mile Beach.

Ninety Mile Beach Marine National Park preservesan internationally significant sandy environment,recognised for its exceptionally high diversity ofmarine invertebrates. Although the sandy seafloormay appear to be lacking in life, the world’shighest recorded levels of marine biodiversity for asandy environment have been found in this area.More than 600 different invertebrate species havebeen found within ten square metres of sand,making it one of the most biologically diversemarine environments in the world.

Low reefs of ancient dune limestone are scatteredthroughout the offshore sandy plains, supportingunique invertebrate fauna, including colourfulsponge gardens. Current induced sandmovement causes these reefs to be periodicallycovered by sand. Feeding on the abundance ofinvertebrates within the seafloor are schools ofpelagic fish including pike, whiting and snapper.The long sandy beach of the park also providesextensive habitat for shore birds, includinginternational migratory wader birds and thethreatened Hooded Plover.

The Park provides excellent opportunities forbeachwalking with an ever changing collection offlotsam and jetsam waiting to be observed by thecurious beachcomber. Recreational opportunitiesare generally restricted to shorebased activities, asthe strong currents make diving and swimmingunsafe. Indigenous people are traditionally andculturally associated with the area within theMarine National Park.

Beware Reef Marine SanctuaryLocated 30 kilometres southeast of Orbost andfive kilometres offshore from Cape Conran,Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary covers an area of220 hectares. Rising from about 30 metres at itsbase on the sea floor to two metres above thewater surface, the partially exposed granite reefprovides habitat for a rich diversity of marinebiota.

Fish, including Butterfly Perch, Long snoutedBoarfish and Maori Wrasse are abundant withinthe sanctuary, as are a range of invertebrates,including soft corals, sponges, sea anemones,and zooanthids. The exposed rocky platform alsoprovides a haul out site for Australian Fur Seals,feeding in the waters of the sanctuary.

Due to the influence of the East AustralianCurrent, the waters of the sanctuary andsurrounding areas are generally warmer thanelsewhere in Victoria. Cool southern waters mixwith warm northern waters bringing increasednutrients and creating an ecosystem high inproductivity.

As the name suggests, Beware Reef is anavigational hazard and the site of threesteamship wrecks (the Auckland, Ridge Park andAlbert San) whose extensive remains lie aroundthe reef. Indigenous people are also traditionallyand culturally associated with the area within theSanctuary.

Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary is a diver’sparadise, with rock walls, shipwrecks, crevices,swim-throughs and gutters covered in life ofevery conceivable shape and colour. As theSanctuary is located offshore, diving andsnorkelling are exclusively boat based.

Please remember that our MarineNational Parks and MarineSanctuaries are protected areas and,like National Parks on land, activitiesthat involve harming or removingmarine life or artifacts are notpermitted.

Ninety Mile BeachMarine National ParkBy Ty Caling, Marine Planner –Parks Victoria

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Ocean Wavesby Denis Cox, Coast Action Facilitator, Port Phillip East

The power of sea waves and currents that poundthe Victorian coast is all generated by wind.Wind is an outcome of atmospheric heating andcooling over vast land and water masses andinvolves incredible complex of variable influences,just ask any meteorologist!

In the open Southern Ocean, enormous wavesare generated as powerful winds from Antarcticstorms blow over open sea. Waves 20m highand travelling 80km an hour have been recorded.Large waves move towards the shore as a swelland where there are no obstructions beatpowerfully and continuously on exposed coasts.The waves are larger and the currents strongerwhere the wind is stronger, has the greater thefetch (ie. the distance over which it blows) and isof greater the duration.

Waves move in an orbital motion. But as thedrag of the shallowing ocean floor increasesduring the forward movement of waves to theshore this motion becomes more elliptical untilthe wave breaks. Offshore islands also interruptthe passage of an ocean swell and change itsdirection as it is refracted around obstacles.

A swell may approach with very little angle andproduce a long smooth wave as it reaches theshore. But where the swell is deflected aroundsolid objects whether above or below the water aseries of cross-waves are created. Dangerousrough water conditions in parts of Bass Strait arecaused by ocean swells criss-crossing betweenislands and reefs.

Swells that approach the coast at an angle cangenerate currents that lift and transport sand toerode and deposit it as longshore drift. Theswash of waves breaking on the shore is followedby backwash as water rushes out to sea again asundertow or localised rips. Both actions aremuch stronger on ocean beaches and have thepotential to carry swimmers with them. Gentlewaves can sweep sand to the shore while steeperstorm waves will cut back beaches and dunes,taking the sand out to sea.

In enclosed bays and inlets, smaller waves andcurrents are generated where surrounding landfeatures confine and complicate wind speed anddirection and the sea floor is shallower. Thesewaves and currents however are often stillpowerful enough to erode the shore and transfersediments along the coastline. Seasonal windsvariation can alter wave and current direction.

The energy inherent in the sea is why the coastcan be so dynamic and unstable. If you live nearthe sea, understanding basic principles of the seaand the natural influences that direct it is a goodfirst step in your safety. The second is to alwaysexpect the unexpected on the coast.


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Eagles Nest in theBunurong Marine

National Park is part ofa basalt promontorythat receives the full

force of the Bass Straitswell. Underwater

rock shelves absorb much of the oceans fullenergy of the swell before it reaches the shore.

As waves drag thesea bottom the

orbital motion ofwaves becomes

more elliptical andcrests become

breaking waves

Choppy conditions occur where ocean swellsconverge near land and winds are high

Coastline Newsletter of Coast Action/Coastcare Autumn 2005

CoastKidsby Tracey Pennington Autumn 2005

Hi CoastKids, In this edition we are celebrating Seaweek 2005, by taking acloser look at some of the amazing sharks in our oceans,finding out more about them and even how to help protectthem !

It’s no joke - many of our sharks like the Grey Nurse Shark, thehuge Whale Shark and even the Great White Shark, are indanger of becoming extinct. So why should that matter?

When sharks die out, the natural food web in the sea becomesunbalanced. The animals sharks would have eaten tend toincrease in numbers and can eat themselves out of house andhome, placing other creatures and plants at risk too.

So take our true or false quiz, test your knowledge with ourshark crossword and more, to uncover some of the mysteriesof sharks. SOS – help Save Our Sharks !

True or False Quiz1. 1. Sharks are marine mammals2. Sharks have been on the Earth for around 10 million years 3. The Wobbegong is a bottom dwelling shark4. Sharks can replace broken or worn teeth as needed5. A Grey Nurse works in a hospital and wears a grey uniform6. All sharks are man-eaters7. Sharks have very smooth, rubbery skin like a dolphin8. The Whale shark eats whales and other large prey9. Sharks have four pairs of open gills10. The biggest threat to shark survival is climate change11. More people die in car accidents than from shark attack12. A shark skeleton is made of light-weight bones to help flotation

BOOKSThe Marine Education Society of Australiawebsite has heaps of great new shark stufffor kids as well as teachers and others forSeaweek 05. Check it out atwww.mesa.edu.auThe Gould League has a fantastic sharkposter ($6.50) and a Green Guide to Sharks& Rays of Australia ($16.95) which hascolourful photos & useful info. Visitwww.gould.edu.au

You can see live Grey Nurse Sharks ,Wobbegongs, Black Rays, and many othersharks and relatives on display at theMelbourne Aquarium

Did you know ?

• There are some 370 species of sharksworld-wide

• Almost half of all shark species (170)occur in Australian waters

• The largest shark is the Whale Shark, (20metres), which feeds on tiny plankton

• Sharks are one of the most ancient largecreatures on Earth

• Sharks and rays belong to the sameclass of fish known as the Chondrichthyes

• You can help protect sharks by: – disposing of litter, chemicals and fishing

rubbish responsibly,– observing fishing regulations & not

taking more fish than needed,– learning more about sharks and how

they live,– nothing damages their burrow and

dogs, cats and foxes are kept away.y Junior Joke x yWhich fish build the best homes in the sea?

AnswerJunior Joke: The Hammerhead and Saw Shark

Unjumble the letters to name these sharksPANTHELE _ _ _ _ _ _ _- _GOBBEWONG _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _HEADERMHAM _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _GEMATHOUM _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _RESHTHER _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _TRAGE / THIEW _ _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ _Answers to Unjumble the letters– Elephant, Wobbegong,

Hammerhead, Megamouth, Thresher, Great White

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9

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12

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Across2. Scientific name for the group of animals

that includes sharks, rays, and chimaeras

5. Where most sharks live7. Tooth-like scales covering a shark’s body10 Threatened shark once falsely believed to

attack humans, (4,5,5,)13. The largest ray which feeds on plankton14. Large shark that feeds on mammals & fish

(5,5,5)16. Relatives of sharks with flattened bodiesDown1. The largest of all sharks (5,5)3 The theme for Seaweek 2005 (4,3,6)4. Part of shark removed for soup 6. Australian sharks with beautiful markings

and a fringed mouth8. Shark is sold under this name in fish and

chip shops9. Hollywood movie series that caused fear of

sharks11. Sharks are mainly caught using these12. The food of whale sharks15. Shark skeletons are made from this

Answers to Shark True or False Quiz (over page)1. False – Sharks are not marine mammals, they are a type of fish 2. False – The earliest sharks are believed to have appeared on Earth

over 400 million years ago3. True – The Wobbegong is a bottom dwelling shark4. True – Sharks can replace broken or worn teeth as needed5. False – A Grey Nurse is a type of shark which is under threat6. False – Only a very small number of shark species have been

known to attack and kill people7. False – Sharks have rough, sand paper-like skin due to the teeth

like denticles on their skin8. False – The Whale shark eats plankton, by filtering it from the

water as it swims9. False – Sharks have 5-7 pairs of open gills depending on the

species10. False – The biggest threats to shark survival include overfishing, by-

catch, boat strike, reduction of food 11. True – Many more people die in car accidents than from fatal shark

attacks12. False – A shark skeleton is made of cartilage, like our ears and nose

Save Our Sharks Crossword

This summer many participants in CoastAction/Coastcare’s Summer by the Sea programjoined rockpool rambles to learn a little about theamazing biodiversity of Victoria’s intertidal rockyshores. Here we briefly describe three animalsyou may have seen.

Chitons or Coat-of-Mail SnailsThere are a numberof species of theseslow moving snailrelatives. They areoften foundunderneath rocksalthough somespecies are wellsuited to exposedwave platforms. Their most distinctive feature isthat unlike other snails, the shell is composed ofeight plates which allows them to bend and curlas they make their way back to the darkunderside of a rock, or if they were dislodged.Chitons are most active at night when they grazetiny algae from the surface of rocks using theirradula, a rasp like tongue covered in tiny teeth.Their flat bodies and strong muscular foot helpthen avoid being dislodged by waves orpredators. Please always replace rocks toavoid exposingthese and othercreatures to thesun.

Elephant SnailsThese large snails, upto 10 centimetreslong, are also foundin dark places such as under rocky ledges, oftenin company of chitons. They also share a similarfood source and graze in a similar manner. Theyare related to limpets, and their white shells havea similar domed shape. The shell is much smallerthan the animal and the beautiful velvety blackmantle sometimes covers most of the shell.Elephant Snails can sometimes be seen moving

quite actively, with theirtentacles protruding,although they are mostactive at night. Likemany creatures onrocky shores theirsurvival depends on their habitat, pleasereturn both animals and rocks to theiroriginal positions when exploring theseareas.

SeastarsMany of you will havecome across a variety ofseastars during yourrockpool rambles, perhapsthe beautiful pentagonal-shaped Biscuit Star, or theLittle Green Seastar(which yes, is actually little and green!). As acontrast you may also have seen an Eleven armedSeastar, one of the largest, which can grow toover 50 centimetres in diameter. They are allmembers of the Echinoderm family, a name thatmeans spiny skinned (think of the connectionwith the Echidna!). Some,like the large 11 armedSeastar, are carnivoresfeeding on molluscs, whileothers such the LittleGreen Seastar arescavengers feeding on awide range of deadmaterials. All seastars feed by inverting theirstomachs over their food. They partially digest itthen withdraw it back into their bodies. They alsohave a water filled body and tiny tube feet formovement. Always keep seastars in the waterto avoid stressing them through water loss.

For further advice on good places to visit, ormore info on the creatures, download a copy of agreat rocky shores brochure athttp://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/education/marinekit or contact your local Coast Action/CoastcareFacilitator, DSE office, or Parks Victoria office.

Creature Feature: Rocky Shore Life


The Love Slug

A slimy body and the ability to squirt vivid purpleink would hardly seem to be the characteristics ofone of nature’s elite lovers. Wandering aroundrockpools or along the river banks whilst the tideis low during these warmer days may reveal acreature that not only is hermaphrodite but alsoutilises both sets at the same time!!

Sea Hares appear in large numbers during latesummer and autumn months on both rockyshores and in seagrass habitats. The name of SeaHares relates to the rolled tentacles on theirheads that resembles the ears of a large rabbit.Sea Hares are large Molluscs (like snails) but havea much reduced thin shell which is hiddenbeneath folds in the skin.

There are several different species of sea haresfound along the Victorian coast. The smallest arecommon in shallower rockpools although can bedifficult to observe as their colour changesaccording to the colour of the algae on whichthey are feeding and they can be yellow, green,brown or even red. Larger species move intoestuaries and embayments and feed on algaeattached to seagrasses and on the mud surface.Despite their fleshy and slow moving bodies theyare eaten by few creatures probably because oftheir disgusting taste and their ability to produce

a vivid purple dye to defend their otherwiseunprotected bodies.

Sea Hares group to form mating aggregationsthat can consist of a number of individuals in achain. Having boy bits in their heads and girl bitsalong their back they are able to simultaneouslymate with one in front and one behind. Congalines of up to a dozen individuals have oftenbeen seen.

Following mating, string like egg masses are laidthat are wrapped around sea weeds, rocks, orseagrass. Consisting of literally millions of eggsthese string masses gradually break apartreleasing a tiny larval snail into the water columnfor some time at sea before returning to theshores the following season.

There are many other incredible creatures waitingfor you to discover them in your local MarineNational Park and Marine Sanctuary. Visit them inthe flesh or have a look atwww.barwonbluff.com.au for a virtual tour.

AMAZING BUT TRUE: Individual Sea Hareshave been recorded laying over 450 million eggsover a season - this is the record for any animal.

Photos from Living on the Edge


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Summer Activities 2005 Summer and Coast Action/Coastcare go hand inhand and this summer has seen the completionof another successful Summer Activities Program.Thousands of people took part in activities acrosseast Gippsland coast from Paynesville in the westthrough to Mallacoota in the east. Whilst theunseasonably wet and windy weather did us nofavours, all who that participated had a goodtime and learnt some useful, practical ways tohelp them better care for the coast.

Grants Now Open With the busy summer period now over it is timeto start thinking about Coast Action/Coastcareprojects for 2005. The Coast Action/Coastcaresmall grants program for east Gippsland is nowopen and all community groups should havemade contact with me already to outline theirprojects and apply for funds. If you have notdone so and have a project ready to go thencontact me ASAP. Then we can discuss thepossibility of proceeding this year.Congratulations to all those groups that havesuccessfully applied already, I look forward toworking with you throughout the year.

We’ve Moved As some of you may have heard DSE has vacatedthe offices on Service St. and moved into thecomplex on Calvert St. with Parks Victoria andthe CMA. Please feel free to drop by to say G’dayand to see the new facilities. Give me a call on 035152 0439 before hand so I know you arecoming.

Green Corp Comes to South Gippsland The presence of a Green Corps team based atYarram in south Gippsland has benefited twocoastal volunteer groups this summer.

The Albert River Landcare Group approachedCoast Action/Coastcare with a proposal to buildtwo viewing/fishing platforms in the tidal sectionof the Albert River near Alberton. The purpose ofthe project was to prevent further erosion tosections of the bank already denuded of nativevegetation by constant visitation. CoastAction/Coastcare was able to assist by obtainingfunding for the building materials. The LandcareGroup managed the project and Green Corpssupplied most of the labour. Participants gainedexperience in basic building techniques andenjoyed the experience tremendously.

Their next project for Coast Action/Coastcare wasresurfacing part of the Old Port Walking Trail atPort Albert. This involved preparation of thesurface, spreading gravel and levelling it. When itbecame obvious that the project was a littlebigger than anticipated, the assistance of abobcat that was working nearby was enlistedand hastened completion of the project. Weatherconditions on the Port Albert foreshore proved alittle trying as the photograph shows.

The Green Corps program has assisted a numberof young locals receive quality training in a rangeof skills, while participating in projects withsignificant environmental benefits. Based on ourpositive recent experience, Coast Action/Coastcare and Landcare staff in south Gippslandstrongly recommend that local communitiesdevelop a proposal to have a team in their area.

Gippsland Regional Snippets By Bruce Atkin & Glen Forster – Coast Action/Coastcare Facilitators


Port Phillip Regional Snippets By Denis Cox, Dianne Moore & Fiona Stevens – Coast Action/Coastcare Facilitators

Puffers and ToadiesA number of groups throughout the region arebusy undertaking small projects funded by theNatural Heritage Trust through the RegionalCatchment Investment Plan. Concerned ParksVictoria Ranger Brooke Connor initiated one ofthese projects with the assistance of GeelongFishcare and DPI Fisheries. The project involveddeveloping an education program to address theinappropriate discarding of pufferfish and toadfish (often on roads and piers). Two stickers wereproduced to encourage responsible fishingpractices and an information leaflet withadditional information and messages. Fishcarewill continue to disseminate informationthroughout the PortPhillip region atactivities and events.

Featuring one of ourmuch maligned

native fish, thesestickers are designedto encourage anglersto put the fish back if

caught accidentally.

Koala Coast corridorThe Balnarring ForeshoreCommittee of Management isseeking assistance to grow andplant over at least 10,000 Koalahabitat trees through anEnvirofund grant. It is hoped thatthe trees will help develop awildlife corridor between Somersand Shoreham. The Koala CoastRanger at Balnarring, Neil Bayne,is itching to get started on what ishoped will become a communitynursery to supply Koala trees toother Committees and interestedlandowners in the area. Anyoneinterested in assisting Neil couldcontact him at the BalnarringForeshore office.

On the right trackCorinella is known for its spectacular clifflandscapes but as they are eroding the CorinellaCommittee of Management has diverted its mainwalking track to Coronet Bay. This is away fromthe cliff tops in areas that were becoming apotential hazard for visitors. Revegetation alongthe track has boomed. Within a short time theinitial bareness caused by track building willsoften and the new plants will provide habitat forlocal bird life.

Grass the SeaCoastal trekker Lynn Murrell enjoyed an eveningbarbecue and good company with communitymembers at Coronet Bay recently. He had thechance to see and hear about the progress of thelocal seagrass planting program from Dr TimEaley who is very enthusiastic about what is atpresent limited but promising success. On thefollowing day Tim took 120 local primary schoolchildren to Reef Island to, as he puts it, “assessmangroves and to become AWARE of mud andsmells and other things”.


– – –Mulched area by the new track at Corinella

Lynn inspects the seagrass planting at Coronet Bay

New Group helping ‘The Bay’Affectionately known as ‘The Bay’ by locals, theApollo Bay foreshore has received a boost overthe past few months, thanks to the formation ofa new friends group in the area. The CoastAction Apollo Bay - Friends of the Apollo BayForeshore, started just under a year ago, spurredon by a small band of interested locals. The mainfocus of the group has been to tackle coastalweeds invading the foreshore and indigenousrevegetation, with funding support and resourcesfrom Coast Action/Coastcare. The first workingbee in May last year tackled a high visibility areaof the foreshore, the Seal Sculpture at thecommunity market site. The volunteers were alsomade aware of invasive weed species at their firstmeeting, in particular Sea Spurge and theconcept of ‘Purge the Spurge’ was developed.

Founding member and foreshore manager GaryMc Pike, tries to organise a working bee once amonth and while the average turn out is betweensix to eight people, he says it is amazing howmuch can be achieved in just a few hours. The lastworking bee resulted in about 30 cubic metres ofpest shrubs (Cotoneaster, Coprosma, Pittosporum,and Hawthorn) being removed from a section ofthe Apollo Bay foreshore. A BBQ finish is set tobecome a part of the regular schedule, not only asa reward for the volunteers but also provides achance to exchange ideas and socialise.

Gary says the friends group is a great way to getpeople involved and engaged in their foreshore.“It allows them to become involved in and awareof the issues. For the managers it is a fantasticway of getting work done while operating withinvery limited budgets. An added bonus for me asa manager is that the ‘Friends’ are protective oftheir patch. They are great at passing oninformation that they think may be of concern,like rubbish dumping, flora damage and stormdamage,” he said.

The group has now settled down to a core ofabout 12 regulars, with occasional participationby ‘out of towners’ who want to help. Membersare now starting to suggest activities they wouldlike to undertake, for example the next workingbee will tackle self sown cypress trees on the

foreshore. With such a great partnership betweenthe Friends group and the Foreshore Committee,you would have to say the volunteers, the localsand the Apollo Bay environment are all winners.For more information on Coast Action Apollo Bay- Friends of Apollo Bay Foreshore, or to join in aworking bee, call Gary McPike on 0419 301 311.

Middle Island Invasion In early December, fishermen contacted the CoastAction/Coastcare to report a grisly find at MiddleIsland, which lies within the Merri MarineSanctuary. Several hundred little penguins andShort-tailed Shearwaters had been killed. Foxeshad swum to the island to carry out the attack.Coast Action Coastcare volunteers who had formany years being involved in penguin habitatworks, maintained a vigil of the island until aCouncil initiated fox control program wasimplemented. This resulted in several foxes beingtrapped and killed. There now are less than 100birds left on the Island.

Since then the Conservation Volunteers Australiaprogram Green Reserves, has been put to gooduse in providing ongoing surveys of fox numberson the Warrnambool Foreshore. Participants workin partnership with the Council and the localCoast Action/Coastcare group to monitor themovements of foxes into the area. It is hopedthat advanced warning of fox activity will allowcontrol methods to begin before attacks occur onwildlife.

‘Walk the Talk’ Lyn Murrell who is walking the coastline ofVictoria was welcomed as he passed through theregion giving many talks and walking with locals.On the Saturday 15 January an official welcomeBBQ was organised by Warrnambool City Counciland the local Coast Action/Coastcare group withmembers of the group and councillors joining Lynfor sections of the walk the following day.

New Group for Portland Plans towards forming a Coast Action/Coastcaregroup in the Portland area are well advancedwith the inaugural meeting date set Saturday 7May. The group intends doing habitat revivalwork in the Portland Cliffs area.

South west Regional Snippets By Tracey Pennington & John Amor – Coast Action/Coastcare Facilitators


Apollo Bay ‘Friends’ and Landcare ‘Townies’ workingtogether to revegetate the Barham River Estuary

Flotsam and Jetsam Coastal News and Upcoming Events


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DSE Recognition Awards In December 2004 the Coast Action /CoastcareProgram received the DSE Recognition Award inCustomer Service for the delivery of the‘Conserving Our Southern Shores’ communityforum, held in May 2004. The overwhelmingresponse to the Forum by community volunteersensured it was a success, along with the manyhours of planning and coordination by the CoastAction/Coastcare team. Coast Action/Coastcarecontinues to implement the enhancementsannounced by the Minister for Environment, HonJohn Thwaites at the Forum andrecommendations by participants provided in theForum evaluation forms.

Marine and Coastal Ecology CourseA new training opportunity is being offered inMay by the Coast Action/Coastcare program forcommunity and agency representatives who havea direct role in governance of our coasts andseas. The program will provide a sharedunderstanding of the way our coastal and marinesystems function. For more information contactthe Coast Action city office.

CoastalAwards for ExcellenceThis year has seen a record number ofnominations for the Coastal Awards forExcellence sponsored by the Victorian CoastalCouncil and Coast Action/Coastcare. Fromeducation programs through to protected speciesinitiatives, the Awards recognise the valuablecontribution that volunteers, organisations andagencies in partnership can make for the marineand coastal environment. The Awards will bepresented by the Minister for the Environment,Hon John Thwaites, at a presentation onWednesday 20 April 2005.

Bringing the Sea to Schools Coast Action/Coastcare is producing a series ofeducation resources for Victorians schools overthe next three years that will be available in bothCD version as well as accessible on our web site.Currently work is underway to provide the first ofthe series for teachers with useful resourcematerials and examples of schools involvement incoastal and marine protection featured. Futureproducts will be focussed on interactive materialsfor primary and secondary students.

SOS – Seaweek 2005. As mentioned in Coastkids this year’s Seaweekfeatures the theme of SOS – Save our sharks,highlighting the diversity of Australia’s sharkspecies, the threats to certain species, andprovides opportunities to learn more about thevalues of sharks and their relatives in ecosystemsand in our culture. Visitwww.mesa.edu.au/seaweek2005 for acomprehensive range of materials for thecommunity written by some of Australia leadingshark scientists and educators, including specialmaterials for schools.

e-Coastline? To save on printing and paper we have decided tooffer all future editions of Coastlines in twoformats. For many of you the traditional printversion is what you want so this will continue tobe provided. However some may prefer to receivean e-version through your email. To receive an e-version, to let us know about others that maybe interested, or to change your mailing or otherdetails log into our website at www.dse.vic.gov.auand use the form provided in the Coastline folder.Alternatively you can phone Gerard Clark on 039637 9776 to be added to ‘e-Coastline’.

© State of Victoria 2005 Printed on recycled paper

Coastline Editors: Fiona Steven and Mark Rodrigue

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and

therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

If your address has changed, or you would like to be removed from the mailing list of Coastline,please send the addressed fly page with your new address or request to be removed from the

mailing list to Gerard Clark at Coast Action/Coastcare 3/8 Nicholson Street East Melbourne 3002.

Coast Action/Coastcare Contacts

Gippsland RegionBairnsdale Glen Forster Tel: 03 5152 0439 Mob: 0408 357 343E-mail: [email protected]

Yarram Bruce AtkinTel: 03 5183 9116 Mob: 0429 842 142 E-mail: [email protected]

Port Phillip Region Box Hill Denis Cox Tel: 03 9296 4532 Mob: 0409 958 050 E-mail [email protected]

Fiona Stevens Tel: 03 9296 4525 Mob: 0411 409 815 E-mail: [email protected]

Geelong Dianne Moore Tel: 03 5226 4669 Mob: 0411 262 868E-mail: [email protected]

Western Region Anglesea Tracey Pennington Tel: 03 5263 3715 Mob: 0409 332 197 Email: [email protected]

Warrnambool John Amor Tel: 03 5561 9955 Mob: 0429 976 189 E-mail: [email protected]

Melbourne City Office Mark Rodrigue State Program CoordinatorTel: 03 9412 4823 E-mail: [email protected]

State Project Officer Gerard Clark Tel: 03 9637 9776Mob: 0417 577 875 E-mail: [email protected] gov.au

Visit our web site at www.dse.vic.gov.au/coasts

Coast Action / Coastcare Facilitators

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Print Coastline 32 - WordPress.com · bouncing baby boy (named Noah because his birth coincided with Victoria’s big wet in Feb). Congrats to Mum, Dad, and family. Yours for the