Festival of the Sea - Bernard Napthine

Marine National Park of the Month - Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary

Anth, Bron and David were all in the studio this morning - and people seem to be coming down with a few colds.

400,000 leatherjacks were found dead, washed up on Fraiser Island, a repeat of an event 5 years ago. It is pretty rare to find a kill like that that only affects one species.

Anth has adopted a duck for Barwon Heads race - the conditions are a worry (esp drug testing) - a bit over the top for a plastic duck.

Set net fishing for Hectors dolphins in NZ (now called the Maui dolphin) has been banned, in an attempt to protect the worlds rarest marine dolphin. The spearing of a young dolphin in Adelaide last week has reignighted the debate re the sanctuary over there.

This weeks collective noun was for jellyfish - the famous smack - is joined by a fluther, smuth or a studk. Dave ran into a few on the bay yesterday.

The weather is great and the tai chi is warming up - The day is dominated by music, arts and a duck race. The duck race is a traditional fund raising event, where the ducks are hurled off the bridge at Barwon Heads and they move upstream on the incoming tide. The winning duck is worth $2500, and the total prizes are $5000. The ducks are recycled - as a demonstration on how emergency services respond to oil spills.

Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary is part of the Port Phillip Heads Marine Park . It is located at the mouth of the Barwon river, directly below the bluff. It has a mixture of intertidal and subtidal habitats.

There are two distinct rock types, the eastern portion is sandstone and the western is basalt. There are a couple of wrecks near the mouth of the river, and one of them is exposed at low tide.

The rockpool rambles and similar tours that are run by the Marine Discovery Centre. For more information call Parks Victoria 131964 or the Queenscliff Office of Parks Vic fson 52584030

Mad Max meets Free Willy it isnt - its a coming of age movie for the Grandfather that is involved. It is about how an Elder struggles to maintain a culture and society in the movement into the 21st century. It is a good exploration of the Maori connection to land and other species. In this case the whale theme is relates to their mythology of how NZ was populated.

There interesting twists were that the future leader was a 12 yr old girl, quite contrary to the Maori culture, and the actor that played the role receiving high acclaim.

The move is opening in Australia on May 8th, and has been shown at a range of international film festivals to critical aclaim. Dave gave it 10/10

" From the heart"

" Hard Land "

"Keep Yourself Nice "

Mick Thomas

Chris Wilson

Sally Dastey

Brett is off Rosebud and it is absolutely stunning - later there will be more blue than grey.

Anywhere between Mornington and Portsea (the sun always shines on Rye) in the bay will be good - if the back beaches were any good he would have been there.

Vis is about 9 m