Dive Report
Portsea back beach Reef near Cheviot Beach Saturday 2 July 2011
On arrival at Vic Dive on Saturday morning one could be excused that it was an Aquability private function. Mark was running a wreck diving course and had students tying rope to anything with a leg and then trying to undo the knot with gloves on. The more gentile amongst planned a trip to Sorrento back beach. Despite the howling northerly we were assured all was well on the other side of the peninsula. We joined some other divers who appeared on the jetty and couple from Queenscliff who had crossed the rocky bay with the boat.
After the now usual surging embarkation we headed out along the coast and through the heads where the sea settled to a gentle roll. Our skipper trolled along the delightful Point Nepean National Park southern coast looking for a suitable reef for all divers. He found a spot somewhere around Cheviot Beach. After the requisite Harold Holt and Chinese submarine jokes we giant strided into the blue. We found a interesting reef lying in 12 - 14 metres. While the visibility wasn't bad aided by a midday sun's rays the surge created a good deal of fine white sand silt pushed up and suspended from the pristine sandy floor. The reef was covered in various kelps included lots of small swim thoughs and overhanging ledges to explore. Fish life wasn't plentiful but could be found amongst the crevices and overhangs and amongst the kelp. Photographic opportunities were limited.
I heard that the number of new stars being discovered in the Milky Way is so plentiful that one can buy naming rights on the Internet as a gift. I wondered whether the same applies to Seastars. The attached photograph is either of Saori's Seastar (Nectria saoiri) or Wilon's (Nectria wilsoni) I just heard that an expedition found 10 new species of Seastar in the Philippines so I am hoping one day there will be a Stuart's Seastar but I will probably have to do more diving in 10 degree C water off Point Nepean.
Adrian, how much were those dry suits again?!