Reef Watch Reef Watch is a Victorian National Parks Association program | JULY 2013
Permanent protection for the Blue Groper! A
fter two years of temporary protection fisheries notices, the Blue Groper species (Achoerodus viridis and Achoerodus gouldii) is now fully protected in Victorian marine waters. Victoria is the first state to fully protect the species, unlike other states where the protection is limited to bag limits, protection from spear fishers or restricted in certain areas. Permanent protection will hopefully allow populations of both species to increase and thrive in the reefs along Victoria’s coast. Seven Eastern Blue Gropers were sighted at Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary during the 2012 Great Victorian Fish Count, with the Western Blue Groper once again sighted in the Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary in February 2013.
Beautiful Eastern Blue Groper at Beware Reef Marine Sancturary. Reef Watch and VNPA’s marine campaign played a key role in ensuring the friendliest fish in the sea can now swim free. Photo: Courtesy Friends of Beware Reef
Help defend our marine national parks A
ll Reef Watch supporters are urgently needed on deck for the next round of public consultation in September for the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council’s investigation into our network of marine protected areas. Your support for our marine national parks and sanctuaries is critical to ensure Victoria doesn’t go down the path of other states, which are winding back protection.
The investigation has been ongoing since 2012 and two rounds of public consultations have already happenedSubmissions from the marine and coastal community so far has been underwhelming compared with other groups such as fishers. For more information and to register your interest go to veac.vic. gov.au/investigation/marineinvestigation – the VNPA will be in touch closer to September with an update.
Inside www.reefwatchvic.asn.au
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We join the Atlas of Living Australia
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What is Reef Watch? Reef Watch is the Victorian National Parks Association’s marine monitoring program. Run with Museum Victoria we are always looking for more volunteer divers. To get involved email Wendy at wrobert@museum.vic.gov.au or phone 03 8341 7446.
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Great Victorian In Profile: Fish Count Reef Watch Newsletter Adrienne Meyer | July 2013 – 1