News
‘Give Sharks A Fighting Chance’, was the petition that the PADI Project Aware 'Shout Out Loud' for Sharks petition asked of people. And they were heard: 81,087 signed the petition since the launch World Oceans Day 2010 launch.A short while ago, during Shark Week, we also posted the goals behind the petition as a blog,...
The mystery surrounding mass whale strandings In Tasmania, rescuers successfully freed two stranded sperm whales this week. Unfortunately 20 other sperm whales died near Strahan. Two more whales died in nearby Macquarie Harbour. Among the whales was a minke whale, stuck on a mudbank off Elizabeth Island.Why does this happen? According to experts who were...
For anyone who dives in the Gold Coast Seaway you would very well know about the death-defying Stonefish.The most common species found along South East Queensland is the Estuarine Stonefish (Synancia horrida). For those who don't know much about this species, allow me to enlighten (and scare the crap out of) you... This species holds...
The Hermit Crab is possibly one of the most well-known species of crab. They are easily identified by their red colour and hairy claws and on one of my latest night dives in the Seaway I found myself mesmerized by this slow-moving, shy, foraging crab.This particular individual, we'll name him 'Harry', was kicking back on...
Whale migration season is well on its way on the eastern seaboard. The first humpback whales of the season, a mother and a juvenile, have already been spotted as early as May off Moreton Island near Brisbane. Generally, the Australian whale season starts of in June and lasts to October, with some late whales being...
Each winter the Australian Giant Cuttlefish congregate in the shallow waters of Whyalla, South Australia.Not only is it the only known congregation of these animals in the world but it is easily accessed from the shore with the breeding ground averaging around 3m deep.Beginning in May, this courtship is made up of pulsating patterns and...
This may be old news to some, but it has always been a bit of a "grey" area for me. Since i've been in the diving world (albiet, not very long) it has always been the contention that if you wore bright/fluro coloured dive gear you would stand out amongst the crowd in a Sharks...
One of my all time favourite little fish to Dive with is the Fan-belly Leatherjacket (Monacanthus chinensis).They are generally white to cream bodied and covered with dark brown blotches all over. The cheek area and all fins are tinged in green with the caudal fin displaying three dark brown vertical bars. This particular species is...
Distribution - Eastern Rock Lobsters inhabit the continental shelf along the east coast of Australia, from Tweed Heads in New South Wales, around Tasmania, through to Port MacDonnell in South Australia. They hide in holes and crevices around rocky areas and reefs, preferring vegetative cover such as weed/kelp. Size - Maximum weight of 8kg and...
On my latest dive in the trusty Gold Coast Seaway I came across quite a few Bengal Sergeant fish (Abudefduf bengalensis).On this particular occasion, I noticed one of the Sergeant fish somewhat “rubbing” itself on one of the rocks. On closer inspection the rock was almost completely clear of all algae. Sergeant fish, like many...