Alex Giunuzzi - Marine Discovery Centre

Jesse Martin - Kijana - the real story

Bron and Dave are in the studio today, holding on for dear life as Mel driving the bus, a look of steely determination on her face. Anth is elsewhere, Pete is heading into the studio a little later for some Marine Trivia, and Travis is on the other side of the glass, answering those things that go "ring ring" and tapping away at the keyboard.

This week is Seaweek 2005 - and the theme is Save Our Sharks - across northern Australia, the fins of large sharks like tigersharks are worth around $100/kg dockside . Contact Adele Pedder on 0422 108 539.

Want to spend 3 years on the beach and get paid for it. How about doing a PhD on Goolwa Cockles in South Australia. For info contact Dr Mike Geddes
Applications close 22 April

Anth joined Alex for a tour around the new premises of the Marine Discovery Centre earlier this week, where he was treated to a fantastic range of brand spanking new tanks, featuring a range of different habitats.

From local rocky reef habitats with leatherjackets, wrasse and weedfish, to a huge touch tank with a range of different invertebrates that can be handled with care. There's a tank which mimics the action of the tide, and even a specially designed circular tank which can safely hold delicate jellyfish. There's a bird hide that overlooks the shores of internationally renowned Swan Bay, and the skeleton of a whale hangs from the roof.

For students, there is even a complete laboratory in which they can unlock the inner mysteries of Marine Ecology, or for those who want to shop, there's... well... a shop!

Check it out, it's on the Bellarine Highway just before Queenscliff, it's open to the public as well as school groups. For more information, give the Marine Discovery Centre a call on (03) 5258 3344.

Jesse joins us to chat about his new book, "Kijana: the real story", which reveals the story of the boat that carried the same name. Basically, the journey of the Kijana was intended to be a 3 year journey around the world, with a special emphasis on having a young crew. Sadly, the adventure ended only ten months in, subject to infighting amongst the crew as well as other problems.

There have been numerous documentaries, but with the release of this book Jesse promises to reveal the true story of the Kijana. During the interview, he regaled us with a few stories from the trip - some good, some bad - if you want to know the real story (all of the stuff that wasn't revealed on television documentaries at the time) then you'll just have to get the book for yourself.

All in all, Dave recommends it, found it a good read, as much for it's honesty as its drama and adventure.

We seem to have been discovered about 5 times - The fist was the aboriginal peoples - 50 - 60,000 years ago. That was followed by the Buginese (ex Sulawasi) around 1000 years ago, and then probably the Chinese 600 years ago. The Europeans then got into the act with the Dutch running into WA around 400 years ago, and finally the English 230 years ago. Compare that to the Government Version.

" Intuition "

" Just like that"

"The Boogy Board song"

Heather Frahn

Kieran Kane and Kevin Welch with Fats Kaplin

WOB

The rain from 6 weeks ago is still murkying the water here and there, Brett assures us that there is still the odd "pocket of filth" to be encountered in and around the bay. Up in Jervis Bay however (where Brett has recently been) the water is just superb! He also mentioned the presence of a few North Pacific Seastars out and about as well...