Plunging in for fish count

Grade five and six students from Lorne Airey’s P-12 are donning snorkelling gear and heading to the Lorne Pier  to take part in the Great Victorian Fish Count (GVFC).

The annual event sees hundreds of volunteer divers and snorkelers plunge into Victoria’s marine waters every December to help survey and monitor important reef sites.

Watch this YouTube clip about the GVFC.

 
Video: Roger Fenwick

Lorne Airey’s P-12 teacher Suzie Reeves said staff and students were excited to be part of the event, which helps to discover which fish species live in Victoria’s temperate coastal waters.

“It’s a great experience for the students and it’s important they learn to appreciate and take stewardship of the local marine environment.”

“It’s a great experience for the students and it’s important they learn to appreciate and take stewardship of the local marine environment.

Blue Groper Photo: William Boyle

“We are the first school to initiate a site, initiating the Lorne Pier site in 2009 in conjunction with Eco-Logic, the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee,” she said

Ms. Reeves said the students would be working in pairs with a qualified snorkelling instructor to count  fish using underwater slates to record species and numbers.

“By logging our results on the Reef Watch website, we will have an estimation of the structure of fish communities at that time, which can then be compared to future fish counts at the same time each year,” she said.

Reef Watch Coordinator Wendy Roberts said the project, which is run as part of the Victorian National Parks Association’s Reef Watch Program, is the largest community-led ocean monitoring program in Victoria.

“Last years fish count lured more than 400 divers across 22 locations and we expect this year’s event to be even better.

Students from Lorne-Airey's Inlet P-12 College are helping monitor the states fish stocks as part of the Great Victorian Fish Count. Photo: Gary Barclay

“The volunteers that make the project possible are very important because they bring to the surface information on the fish species that can be found along Victoria’s coasts,” said Ms. Roberts.

Ms. Roberts said Victoria’s marine environment was incredibly unique, with more than 85 per cent of species living in our southern waters are not found anywhere else on earth.

“The waters around Victoria are so rich in marine life they rival the Great Barrier Reef for biological diversity.

“This underwater world is facing mounting pressures from threats such as overfishing, pollution and invasive species.

“Take the Blue Groper for example, which was recently placed under temporary protection in 2011, divers in the GVFC this year will be on the look out to see what numbers are out there,” she said.

Event organisers welcome  anyone interested in diving, snorkelling, marine ecology or conservation to get involved and are  always looking for more volunteer divers and snorkelers.

To get involved phone Wendy on 03 8341 7446 or email info@reefwatchvic.asn.au.

This article appeared in the Surf Coast Times fortnightly ‘Green the Coast Column’

Were you or anyone your know involved in the GVFC?

Are you involved in monitoring reef sites on the Surf Coast?

We’d love to hear about your experiences!

Rare visitors threatened by waste

Rare native birds have been sighted in the Spring Creek Estuary and conservation groups are calling on the community to assist in their protection.

Great Egrets and the Caspian Terns, both on the Victorian Government’s advisory list of threatened vertebrate fauna in Victoria, have recently been sighted feeding in the Spring Creek Estuary.

The Great Egret has been spotted at the Spring Creek Estuary recently

The species are both vulnerable to the hazards of plastic waste, which is estimated to kill up to one million sea birds, one hundred thousand sea mammals and countless fish each year.

Sean Dooley, Editor of Wingspan Magazine said the feeding habits of wetland birds made them especially vulnerable to being caught in discarded fishing line.

“Discarded fishing line is a threat to these species as they feed in estuaries which are popular fishing spots and often fishing line gets caught around their beaks and necks and suffocates them,” he said.

 “Discarded fishing line is a threat to these species as they feed in estuaries which are popular fishing spots and often fishing line gets caught around their beaks and necks and suffocates them.”

Graeme Stockton from local conservation group Surfers Appreciating Natural Environment said species like the Great Egret and Caspian Tern were facing extremely strong competition from people and development pressure.

“These species are unnecessarily stressed by storm water pollution and littering,” he said.

Nevertheless, Mr Stockton is optimistic. He notes how the local community ‘stood up for Spring Creek’. “I think there is an inherent understanding by most people here of nature’s overlapping role in our own wellbeing.”

“The Great Egret and the Caspian Tern areren’t commonly found in the Surf Coast area so it’s important that people understand how lucky we are to have such rare birds come and visit us, it’s a privilege that they choose to   use Spring Creek as part of their home range.

“The Great Egret and the Caspian Tern aren’t commonly found in the Surf Coast area so it’s important that people understand how lucky we are to have such rare birds come and visit us, it’s a privilege that they choose to use Spring Creek as part of their home range,” he said.

Caspian Terns have also been sighted in the Spring Creek area.

ZOO’s Victoria’s new ‘Seal the Loop’ campaign will see  special bins placed at ports and piers around Victoria’s coastline to help facilitate the responsible disposal of fishing waste by recreational anglers.

Ben Sanders, Zoo’s Victoria Community Conservation Officer said the campaign aimed to reduce marine wildlife entanglement rates and raise awareness of the threats that plastics pose to marine wildlife.

“The bins are being offered free of charge to any organisation, council or group who wish to install them, this phase of the program is being funded by the Victorian Government using recreational fishing license fees,” he said.

Coastal users can look out for ‘Seal the Loop’ bins placed at various popular fishing spots along the foreshore by the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC).

This article appeared in the Surf Coast Times fortnightly ‘Green the Coast Column’. To visit the Surf Coast Times website click here.

To learn more about the Seal the Loop campaign  click here, for more information about native birds visit the Birds Australia website, click here. If you would like to learn more about coastal conservation and local marine life visit our website, http://www.gorcc.com.au/.

Have you spotted any endangered native birds in the Surf Coast region lately?

Are you  involved in protecting native wildlife?

We’d love to hear from you!

Precious babies on our beaches

Beachgoers are being urged to look out for precious Hooded Plover nesting sites on our beaches as the ‘Hoodie’ breeding season gets underway.

Volunteer Hooded Plover monitors have sighted nests at regular breeding site Point Roadknight and at new breeding site Fairhaven.

The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee is committed to protecting Hooded Plovers  

www.youtube.com

Dr Grainne Maguire, Project Manager for the Beach-nesting Birds Project at Birds Australia said that Hooded Plovers were classed as a vulnerable species in Victoria, but that new breeding sites indicated that numbers were increasing slightly.

“At last count in November 2010 there were 569 adult birds in Victoria, where previously there were around 450,” she said.

Torquay Landcare Group volunteer and volunteer ‘Hoodie’ monitor Alison Watson monitors the Hooded Plovers at Point Roadknight daily, which is the Surf Coast’s regular Hooded Plover breeding site.

“Despite the many threats faced by the species, there has been an average of two fledgling chicks at Point Roadknight each season and there are currently two nests on the beach,” said Ms. Watson.

 “Despite the many threats faced by the species, there has been an average of two fledgling chicks at Point Roadknight each season and there are currently two nests on the beach.”

Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) Conservation Officer, Georgie Beale said the new Fairhaven site was an exciting discovery but that it was a dangerous location for the beach nesting birds to breed.

“There are two eggs in the Fairhaven nest, but Fairhaven is a dog and horse beach and this poses a significant threat to the vulnerable chicks” she said.

Georgie Beale (Great Ocean Road Coast conservaiton officer), Mike Weston (Deakin University) and Glen Ewers (Birds Australia) release a Hooded Plover at Point Roadknight after branding it.

Hooded Plovers breed during the busiest time of year for our beaches making it difficult to protect the eggs and chicks.

Ms. Watson said it could be easy to step on the eggs or chicks if people weren’t looking out for them.

“It’s important that people walk along the water’s edge as the Hooded Plovers nest around the high tide mark,” she said.

Hooded Plover

GORCC’s work to protect the Hooded Plover includes working with Birds Australia to coordinate volunteers, installing signs to alert people to nesting areas, establishing protective fencing around nesting areas and carrying out regular beach patrols.

Ms. Beale said even a disturbance from people or animals could drive the adult birds away from their nests and chicks.

“You can help protect the ‘hoodies’ by making sure that your dog is always on a leash on beaches where Hoodies have been found, and by observing the warning signs,” she said.

If you would like more information or to get involved visit the GORCC website www.gorcc.com.au , phone (03) 5220 5055, email info@gorcc.com.au or visit the Birds Australia website, www.birdsaustralia.com.au.

This column featured as part of the fortnightly ‘Green the Coast’ column in the Surf Coast Times. 

Have you noticed any other Hooded Plovers or Plover nests on the Surf Coast? We’d love to hear from you.

Illegal destruction of native flora

Our fragile coastal environment is being impacted by the illegal removal of native vegetation.

Georgie Beale, Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) Conservation Officer said protection of the limited areas of natural flora remaining on the Surf Coast is of great importance.

An example of the damage that cam be done to coastal flora following the illegal removal of native vegetation.

“Unfortunately, few individuals choose to destroy the very reason that people choose to live on the coast.

“The thin strip of habitat between houses and the beach is the last piece of vegetation of its kind on the Surf Coast and we should be protecting and enhancing it, not destroying it,” she said.

Surf Coast Shire Mayor Cr Dean Webster said the removal of native negatively impacts on the Surf Coast community.

“Native trees and vegetation on public land are an important part of the Surf Coast’s appeal.

“Native trees and vegetation on public land are an important part of the Surf Coast’s appeal.

“Attacks on vegetation are acts of environmental vandalism that have no place on the Surf Coast. Replacing native vegetation takes a lot of time – established trees and plants can’t be suddenly replaced and the effects on our community can be significant,’ he said.

Mike Bodsworth, GORCC Coastal Project Coordinator said the native vegetation around Jan Juc, Anglesea, Airey’s Inlet, Fairhaven and Lorne gives these towns their distinctive character.

 “Removing plants affects the quality of the natural environment and impacts on those people using public reserves for recreation as they are confronted with stark views of houses rather than views softened by vegetation.

 “People who are found to have damaged native vegetation face severe penalties but catching perpetrators in the act is difficult,” he said.

“People who are found to have damaged native vegetation face severe penalties but catching perpetrators in the act is difficult.”

The illegal removal of native vegetation is an offence under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee act 1997 and fines of $6107 apply for breaches of the act.

“Anybody who observes removal of native vegetation along coastal reserves is urged to contact the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee or the Surf Coast Shire,” said Mr. Bodsworth.

For more information or to report any illegal removal of native vegetation, contact GORCC on (03) 5220 5055 or the Surf Coast Shire on (03) 5261 0600.

 This article appeared in the Surf Coast Times fortnightly Green the Coast column.

Volunteering on the coast this Summer

As the warmer weather arrives it’s the perfect time to get active and involved in volunteering on the Surf Coast.

Are you interested in coastal conservation? There’s plenty of opportunities for you to get involved in volunteering. Volunteering is a perfect way to get fit and meet new people while enjoying the natural environment.

Cleaning up the beaches for Clean Up Australia Day

Our precious coast needs your help, depending on which area of the Surf Coast you live, there’s an opportunity for you to volunteer close to home. To  find out about volunteer groups on the Surf Coast click here.

Not interested in joining a volunteer group? Our website provides many more ways you can help the environment. Click here to learn more about coastal conservation opportunities near you.

Do you know of any other opportunties for the community to become involved in coastal conservation? We’d love to hear from you.

Embracing the art in coastal conservation

Participants in a unique weed mask-making workshop learnt about invasive weeds as part of the Lorne Sculpture Festival.

Organiser of the workshop and artist Ange Leech said the unique activity encouraged participants to engage in coastal conservation through creativity.

Artist Ange Leech collecting weeds on the Lorne boardwalk.

 “This creative workshop encourages community awareness about weed removal, and it’s a fun way to offer an activity with an environmental focus,” she said.

 “This creative workshop encourages community awareness about weed removal, and it’s a fun way to offer an activity with an environmental focus.”

Ms Leech said the artists had been involved in working bees with local volunteer group LorneCare which had inspired them to become involved in environmental protection.

“Tea Tree, Flax and other weeds commonly found in the Lorne area were harvested for the workshop with the help of LorneCare and will be used to construct the masks,” she said.

An example of one of the masks made at the weed mask-making workshop

Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) Conservation Officer Georgie Beale said that while Tea Tree is an Australian native, it is not indigenous to the Surf Coast.

“Non-indigenous plants out compete indigenous plants and leave no room for them to grow and this also reduces habitat for local fauna,” she said.

 “Another example of a non-indigenous plant is the Bulbil Watsonia Watsonia meriana var. bulbillifera, which is a common weed in the Lorne area. 

The Watsonia plant which is commonly found in the Lorne area.

“Many don’t realise that plants like these are a problem, or how easily they spread into other areas and at what cost to the environment,” she said.

Ms Beale said community members could help to stop the spread by looking in their own gardens.

“Spring is an important time for weed removal as the ground is soft and weeds have not yet begun to seed or if they have the seeds are yet to mature and become viable,” she said

“Spring is an important time for weed removal as the ground is soft and weeds have not yet begun to seed or if they have the seeds are yet to mature and become viable.”

LorneCare volunteers and artists involved in the weed mask-making workshop were harvesting weeds from the Lorne area for the workshop.

More information about common weeds can be found on the GORCC website www.gorcc.com.au.

The Lorne Sculpture Festival is being held from Saturday 15 October until Sunday 6 November.

This column is brought to you by the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee.

For more information about the Lorne Sculpture Festival and coastal conservation have a look through these links:

LorneCare

Lorne Sculpture Festival

Common weeds

Have you attended the Lorne Sculpture Festival or one of the weed-mask making workshops?

Have you noticed any of the weeds mentioned above in your garden? Let us know!

Community Conservation Network forges ahead

Have you heard of the Otway Community Conservation Network (OCCN)?  We have blogged about the  group before, just after it formed (check out the previous blog here).

Below is a video introducing the OCCN:

The group has been moving ahead in leaps and bounds since they first came on the scene, working to reduce the threat of weed species on native bush in the Otways, and raise awareness of the impacts of weeds in the community.

Some recent achievements include the mapping in August this year of all known infestations of Boneseed and Bridal Creeper.  Infestations were then prioritised and a series of community working bees and  contractor works were undertaken during September and October.

Since the OCCN’s  inception in March 2011, over 600 hectares of vegetation containing Boneseed and over three quarters of the known Bridal Creeper infestations across the network were treated – a huge achievement.

Additionally, so far the network has assisted more than 40 private landholders with resources and advice to control Boneseed and Bridal Creeper.

Below is a video of some OCCN Boneseed works:

Maps of treated sites:

View treated sites for Boneseed on the interactive map here.

View treated sites for Bridal Creeper on our interactive map here.

The Network is asking for the community to report any infestations  that are not on the maps!  To report and infestation email occn@occn.org.au.

Resources and related maps and documents:

More information, including information about how the current works are being prioritised within the network
you can read the Otway Community Conservation Network 2011 – 2012 Works, photo monitoring and more, visit the OCCN website.

What’s next for the OCCN?
Boneseed and Bridal Creeper control works will continue on into next year. There are funding opportunities coming up through the state government Communities for Nature Grants which will give the network an opportunity to continue with current programs and look at expanding into new conservation issues.

The network is finding its place in the natural resource management space of the Otways and is building important partnerships between the community, agency groups and management bodies.

Have you been involved with the OCCN? What do you think about their work? Let us know!

Look out for wonderful wildlife

The Surf Coast community is being urged to be take simple steps to protect native wildlife and to know what do when they come across an injured, sick or orphaned animal.

Native animals can be injured, orphaned or killed as a result of human activities or natural disasters and around 7,000 native animals are treated in Victorian animal shelters each year.

Watch out for Echindna's on the road!

Stan Williams, Department of Sustainability and Environment Wildlife Officer said the best way to look after an animal in distress was to call the right people immediately.

“If you hit an animal it is important to check whether they are alive or deceased and whether they have  any young.

 “If you hit an animal it is important to check whether they are alive or deceased and whether they have any young.

“If they are alive and need help DSE have a customer service centre which will direct you to the closest local animal shelter or refuge.

“Wildlife can only be taken in by people who have a permit, who are registered wildlife shelter operators or foster carers,” he said.

Tehree Gordon, Jirralingha Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary Founder and Co- Director said it was important that people didn’t try to care for injured or sick wildlife themselves, which could often lead to more damage to the animal.

“People often make the mistake of thinking they should feed them, animals aren’t like humans they don’t need three meals a day,”

“People often make the mistake of thinking they should feed them, animals aren’t like humans they don’t need three meals a day.”

The most common injuries amongst the animals being cared for by Jirralingha Wildlife Sanctuary are a result of animals being hit by cars, or attacked by dogs or cats.

A simple measure you can take to protect native animals in your area is to ensure that your cats and dogs are not able to run free at night.

“Kangaroos are often injured by dogs running free at night.  The dogs chase them and they run on to the road and get hit by cars,” said Ms. Gordon.

An injured koala at the Jirralingha Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary

There are many volunteers working tirelessly to care for injured and sick wildlife but more help is needed.

“We are looking for extra people to train to be wildlife rescuers and carers right along the Surf Coast,” said Ms. Gordon.

For more information on caring for wildlife please visit the DSE website www.dse.vic.gov.au, call the the DSE Customer Service Centre 136 186 or contact Jirralingha Koala and  Wildlife Sanctuary on 03 5254 248.

This column featured as part of the fortnightly ‘Green the Coast’ column in the Surf Coast Times. 

Have you ever encountered a sick or injured animal?

What did you do to help the animal?

Are you interested in becoming a wildlife rescuer?

Weeding out coastal invaders

A new conservation network is weeding out threats to native vegetation along the coast and you can help starting with your own backyard.

The Otway Community and Conservation Network (OCCN) is working to reduce the threat of two invasive weed species, Boneseed Chrysanthemoides monbilifera and Bridal Creeper Asparagus asparagoides.

Otway Community Conservation Network Introduction

www.youtube.com

OCCN project facilitator Luke Hynes says Boneseed and Bridal Creeper are regarded as two of the worst weeds in Australia due to their invasiveness and potential for spread.

“Boneseed and Bridal Creeper are emerging weeds in this area and it is essential that we control these weeds before they become established,” said Mr Hynes.

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) Officer Craig Clifford says that the weeds will be removed from public and private land, giving landholders an important role to play in controlling the weeds.

“We have been getting on top of infestations in some of the DSE managed areas but this is a great opportunity to assist adjacent private landholders,” said Mr Clifford.

“We have been getting on top of infestations in some of the DSE managed areas but this is a great opportunity to assist adjacent private landholders.”

September is the peak flowering time for both species and the network is preparing for a busy control period.

“September is the best time to control both of these species.  The yellow Boneseed flowers in particular are very easy to spot and control.

Boneseed flowers, one of Austrlia's most dreaded weeds.

“It is important that coastal residents look out for these weeds and are proactive in removing these weeds from their backyards,” said Mr Hynes.

“It is important that coastal residents look out for these weeds and are proactive in removing these weeds from their backyards.”

During the early flowering period of August, OCCN mapped all known infestations of Boneseed and Bridal Creeper across the project area, which includes land from Anglesea to Port Campbell and through to Colac.

OCCN volunteers removing Boneseed on the Surf Coast

www.youtube.com

‘’With infestations in the project area mapped we can get stuck into control works before the plants set seed in October,’’ said Mr Hynes.

The mapping is guiding OCCN during the prioritisation process which will determine the most important sites for weed removal.

High priority sites include smaller, outlying infestations around Wye River, Kennett River, Borongarook, Deans Marsh and Bambra and heavier infestations between Lorne and Anglesea.

OCCN members Jack Pascoe, Michael Callahan, Gary White, John Wilson, Georgie Beale, Peter Hay and Ulric Orr.

Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) Conservation Officer Georgie Beale says that GORCC will be removing weeds in Anglesea with the help of funding from OCCN.

“OCCN has done a wonderful job coordinating all the conservation groups which was a large job in itself,” said Ms Beale.

For more information contact Luke Hynes PH: 0406 113 438 or Email: occn@occn.org.au

This column bought to you by the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC). To view the GORCC website click here.

This column appeared in the Surf Coast Times on the 6 September 2011.

For more information:

Boneseed

Bonseed infestation map

Bridal Creeper

Bridal Creeper infestation map

The Otway Community Conservation Network

Are you an OCCN volunteer?

Would you be interested in helping to weed out the Boneseed and Bridal Creeper infestations?

Have you seen any infestations not included in the mapped area?

We would greatly appreciate your feedback!

 

 

 

Heart of coast restored by hand

 Jan Juc Coast Action will work with local volunteers throughout a two year project to restore grasslands atop the Jan Juc cliffs.

Jan Juc Coast Action's proposed work area

Jan Juc Coast Action hopes the Jan Juc grasslands restoration will have the same success as the Grassy Groundcover Restoration Project which spanned three years and restored native grasslands across Victoria.

“The Grassy Ground Cover Restoration Project demonstrated that it is possible to recreate grasslands,” said native grasslands expert Paul Gibson Roy.

Jan Juc Coast Action Chairperson, Luke Hynes, said the project is to begin in late August.

 “Grasslands are a vegetation type that has been severely depleted across Victoria.

 “Grasslands are a vegetation type that has been severely depleted across Victoria.

“We should be trying to maintain and enhance the grassland areas of the Jan Juc cliffs as there are only a few examples of this vegetation type remaining,” said Mr Hynes.

The project is based on the techniques developed by Mr. Gibson Roy.

“There is less than one per cent of native grasslands remaining, they could be considered one of the most endangered species in Australia,” said Mr. Gibson Roy.

A restored area shows the regeneration of the threatened hoary sunray daisy

Jan Juc Coast Action will use the same techniques used in the Grassy Ground Cover Restoration to restore the Jan Juc grasslands.

Mr Hynes said the grassland restoration involves taking off the top 10 to 15 cm of soil which will remove the high level nutrient soil and any weed seed in the soil.

“We will then reseed back into the exposed soil with native grassland seeds.

“The low nutrient, weed seed free soil should provide a great substrate for the native grasslands species to thrive,” said Mr Hynes.

Volunteers have been actively involved the Grassy Groundcover Restoration project and the Jan Juc Coast Action Grasslands Restoration.

“Volunteers are incredibly important. Most of our research was undertaken on farms and public land and the project relied heavily on farmers and the community, “said Mr Gibson Roy.

Learn more about coastal volunteering in this Coast Action/Coastcare video clip.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV80QxX_19o

Mike Bodsworth, Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) Coastal Project Manager said that GORCC is supportive of Jan Juc Coast Action’s initiative.

Jan Juc Coast Action working bees take place on the first Sunday of each month

For more information on Jan Juc Coast Action click here or if you would like to volunteer contact Luke Hynes ph. 0406 113 438 or email luke@beaconecological.com.au

Have a look at these links for more information.

Coast Action/Coastcare

Grassy Groundcover Gazette

Greening Australia

Jan Juc Coast Action

Volunteering on the Surf Coast

This column bought to you by the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee, to visit the  GORCC website click here.

This article appeared in the Surf Coast Times Tuesday 23 August 2011

Are you or anyone you know involved in the Jan Juc grasslands restoration?

Are you interested in coastal volunteering?

Do you know of any other environmental projects happening on the Surf Coast?

Let us know your thoughts and opinions!