Cathy Oke - Earth Systems

Brett Illingworth
- Schnorkelfest in the Wild Wild West

One map contains the key environmental events and indicators for this planet. The data has been pulled from a wide range of sources and bringing it into one point of reference. A team of 5 have worked on it full time for the last 2 years, and it have had peer review from a team of 8 esteemed scientists. The prime audience is expected to be the environmental education sector and the environmental professional.

You can start at Williamstown - and you can get vis from 10 - 12 m between Altona and Williamstown, then the conditions are right, no rain, top of a tide and with a north-northwesterly blowing.

Brett picks a good spot by it being wet, esp if the water is the not the colour of coffee.

Corio Bay is good if there has not been any rain, so head for Clifton Springs, or Port Arlington.

Bretts highlight - the closer to the heads the better, esp for the experienced diver. For the less experienced, head for the wreck of the ozone of St Leonards.

If you want to get started, get a mask, snorkel and a pair of fins. Pay particularly attention to the mask, and get used to breathing through the snorkel. Talk to your local dive store.

Avoid boats, and have a blue and white flag if you are outside 250m from shore in uncontrolled waters.

As kids we think of fish as fishfingers, and a flounder was a treat. Based on the study of middens, the indigenous community ate rather well from the sea, much better than their European counterparts.

Fish eating was pretty boring under the Anglo influence, but with the Greek and Italian migrants came a change to the type of fish and the way it was prepared. Calamari and octopus are the classic examples - considered bait initially, now embraced as a delicacy.

The latest migration has brought the Asian influence, with the steaming of fish and the use of a wide range of fragrant herbs to complement the dish.

Cam's tips on buying fresh fish:

Look into its eyes - it it is clear it is better
Check it is shiny (and not dull)
Check the gills are red
It should smell of the sea (applies to marine fish)

Watch out for future discussions on Kina (ask a Kiwi).

"Grey"

"Samba a Amor"

"Fishin Blues "

Ani di Franco

Bebel Gilberto

Taj Mahal

The wind is howling, the sky is overcast and I wouldn't bother !