Reef Watch Victoria is a not-for-profit project that encourages you as divers and snorkellers to check on marine life at your favourite dive sites

Through Reef Watch, you will be able to encourage better policies and actions to protect Victoria's marine Environment.

To register online to become a Reef Watcher, click here For further details: email us at info@reefwatchvic.asn.au Or mail us at: Reef Watch Victoria C/- Museum Victoria GPO Box 666 Melbourne Vic, 3001 Ph: +61 8341 7446

Mystery Creature No. 17 : Clue. Its animal, not vegetable

Mystery Creature No. 16 : Clue. You are only seeing a little bit of it and its very common!

Answer Scalyfin, Parma victoriae. Scalyfins are Australia's largest damselfish. Scalyfins are plant eaters and adults of both sexes tend a territory where they raise preferred nutritious seaweeds. They are very aggressive towards any animals or divers that squash their prized vegetables. They typically have a shelter under a rock or ledge in the middle of their territory. Juvenile Scalyfins are bright orange with neon blue lines, they are tolerated by the parents until they begin to change into their adult form- then its time to leave home.

NEWS

Argonaut Sightings: Port Phillip Bay

Two Argonauts have been washed up near Sorrento in recent days. This request has been forwarded by Dr Julian Finn at Museum Victoria.
'If a dead or dying Argonaut is encountered it is requested that the whole animal is frozen with any eggs that are in the shell. I am happy for the collector to ultimately keep the shell, I only require an image of the shell and a measurement of the maximum shell diameter for our records. A precise record of the location and time of collection is also required. For more Argonaut information click here to go to our ArgoSearch website ' Or view a video explaining recent Museum Victoria Argonaut research.

SEMINARS 2010

Topic: Presenting 'Feral or In Peril' a new Monitoring program for Reef Watch Victoria and the EPA's Ballast Water Program.

Tuesday July 27th, 2010

Speakers: Wendy Roberts, Reef Watch Victoria and Dr Marlos De Souza, EPA.

Time: 5:45 - 8.00 pm Cost:$6.00

Bookings essential. Please contact Wendy Roberts info@reefwatchvic.auReef Watch Co-ordinator

><((((º> ><((((º> ><((((º>

NEW LINKS

Some of new links have been added to the Links Page, but here is a shortcut to them: Red Map Project, Tasmania Willy Weather forecast Invertebrates of Victoria (Bluering)

Species Pages

We have recently updated some of the species pages with photos. Those updated in the the last month: Snapper, Tasmanian Blenny, Oyster Blenny, Tasselled Anglerfish.

Nature Notes- May - June

Altona Beach Reef 22/05/10 Temp 14 Sylvia Buchanan

Tasmanian Blenny, Pygmy Leatherjacket, Globefish, Decorator Crab, Orange and White Striped Anemone, Wavy Turbo, Biscuit Sea Star, 11arm Seastar, Variable Sea star, Knobby Sea star, Common Sea Urchin, Golf Ball Sponge

Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron Pier .2/06/10 (Night dive.) Adrienne Meyer.

23 species recorded. Including a rarely seen Silver Dory juvenile showing night colours, Blue-Lined Goatfish, Southern Sand Flathead, Pot Belly Seahorse, Soft Sea Cucumber, Brain Seasquirt, Bright Granulated Seastar, 11arm seastar, Maori Octopus, Mediterranean Fanworm,

Blairgowrie Yacth Squadron Pier: 13/06/10 (Night dive) Sylvia Buchanan

20 species recorded including a Starry Toadfish (rare as usually deep sea), Cardinal fish, Pygmy LJ, Rough LJ, Spotted Stingaree, Whitely's Scorpion Fish, Orange and White Striped Anemone, Biscuit Seastar, Sand Octopus, Southern Calamari, Common Sea Urchin, Doughboy Scallop, Shorthead Seahorse.