December 1, 2019
UN REPORT WARNS ABOUT THE THREAT OF INCREASED MARINE HEATWAVES
UN REPORT WARNS ABOUT THE THREAT OF INCREASED MARINE HEATWAVES by Steve Reynolds The December issue of the SDFSA’s newsletter reported that scientists were warning that marine heatwaves were threatening the oyster industry and affecting the Great Barrier Reef (Marine Heatwaves Threatening Oyster Industry and Affecting Great Barrier Reef, Scientists Warn). It stated that “Scientists warn that climate change is... Read morePosted in Climate change, Research | By Steve Reynolds
November 23, 2019
From Stromatolites to Microbialites
From Stromatolites to Microbialites by Steve Reynolds During Ian Lewis’ talk about cave diving around Mount Gambier at the SDFSA’s Splash Inn event during SA Scuba Week, he mentioned the occurrence of stromatolites in the Blue Lake. This reminded me about the article Report on the Blue Lake Sediment Sampling & Research Programme February/March 2008 by Peter Horne in our... Read morePosted in Algae, Plants | By Steve Reynolds
November 13, 2019
List of dolphin watching, conservation and advocacy groups on Facebook in South Australia
Among South Australia’s most beloved marine species are the bottlenosed dolphins, Tursiops sp. Dolphins which forage, feed and rear their young in inshore environments like Tursiops are vulnerable to various threats in the marine environment. These include the possibility of being struck by a boat, personal water craft or propeller, becoming entangled in discarded or lost fishing tackle, or having... Read morePosted in Coastal species, Conservation, Marine mammals, Research, Whales & Dolphins | By Dan Monceaux
October 29, 2019
The Loss and Recovery of the Anchors from Matthew Flinders’ Ship HMS Investigator
The Loss and Recovery of the Anchors from Matthew Flinders’ Ship HMS Investigator by Steve Reynolds The large anchor inside the South Australian Maritime Museum is from Matthew Flinders’ ship HMS Investigator. It is a 4m-long, 1 tonne stocked anchor and it is possibly the oldest known anchor in South Australia. It has a (replica) large wooden stock. It was... Read morePosted in Maritime History, Shipwrecks | By Steve Reynolds
October 28, 2019
A Study of Melanism in the Black Manta Rays of the Indo-Pacific
A Study of Melanism in the Black Manta Rays of the Indo-Pacific by Steve Reynolds Melanism is “darkening of body tissues caused by excessive production of melanin, especially as a form of colour variation in animals”. I know that black manta rays in the Indo-Pacific does not relate to South Australian marine life at all, but I read a report... Read morePosted in Bony fishes, Sharks & Rays | By Steve Reynolds
October 23, 2019
Potential consequences of the missing Port Noarlunga jetty stairs
Just 32 kilometres south of Adelaide, the seaside town of Port Noarlunga is one of South Australia’s favourite destinations for aquatic activities. This week, hundreds of school children are in the midst of intensive aquatics programs, where they are introduced to the joys of paddling, ocean swimming, surfing (pending wind conditions), snorkeling and even stand-up paddle-boarding. Another activity that children... Read morePosted in Coastal activities, Education, Jetties, Kayaking, Safety, Submissions to Government | By Dan Monceaux
October 14, 2019
Return to Christies Reef
Return to Christies Reef by Steve Reynolds A small group of us visited Christies Reef on 11th October 2019. It was a return visit for myself, following up on my visit there earlier in the year. The three of us got to dive independently (unintentionally). My own dive time underwater was a miserable 45 minutes, but I had enjoyed exploring... Read morePosted in Coastal species, Dive Reports, Species lists | By Steve Reynolds
October 13, 2019
A Little More About the Trafalgar and the Alert
A Little More About the Trafalgar and the Alert by Steve Reynolds Further to the details provided in Changes Over Time to Two Wreck Sites at the Jervois Basin Ships’ Graveyard, the 1877-built paddle steamer Trafalgar may have been beached in the Jervois Basin in the 1940s, The paddle steamer Trafalgar at Echuca This picture is taken from “Redgum &... Read morePosted in Maritime History | By Steve Reynolds
September 26, 2019
David Witton anchor anniversary
David Witton anchor anniversary by Steve Reynolds Continuing my recent focus on Witton Bluff, as I wrote in our May 1985 newsletter, it “is situated at the southern end of Christies Beach, just before the northern end of the Port Noarlunga reef. There is a reef at Witton Bluff which extends out to sea from the mainland. It is fully... Read morePosted in Maritime History | By Steve Reynolds
September 26, 2019
Species sighted at Witton Bluff & Christies Reef
Species sighted at Witton Bluff & Christies Reef by Steve Reynolds As reported in My Early Diving Days , Witton Bluff is the high point on the coast between Port Noarlunga and Christies Beach. It is named after the 1839 wreck of the David Witton. I did my first sea snorkel there in January 1978. I returned there later that year with... Read morePosted in Algae, Bony fishes, Citizen Science, Coastal species, Dive Reports, intertidal zone, Marine invertebrates, Nudibranchs, Plants, sea urchins, Sharks & Rays, Species lists | By Steve Reynolds
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