News - The Team

Nicole Barbee -Galaxids

Anth survived last week - alone after the RRR Radiothon party, Bron survived Wye river, and Peter survived Around The Bay in a Day. The weather report had more cavets than a John Howard speech

Sharks have been in the headlines again, after a 4.6 m Great white was caught off Raglan - a fantastic surf beach on the west coast of New Zealand. Jacques Cousteau's grandson had built a 1 man submarine to look like a dominant female great white to study shark behavior. The machine is air powered, so we wonder where the air bubbles come out ? Then there is the report that sharks are prey switching to humans because there are starving. Or perhaps there are more people in the water ?

A new hook has been designed to minimise the turtle by catch with a circular hook - reducing the losses by 80 - 90%. Shame the WWF (not bulky wrestlers) are promoting long lining without them.....

Galaxids are very thin fish with monsters being 20cm long ! They are a freshwater species that have a marine larval stage.

This is a very stressful process for the fish, so why would they do it? It seems to be so they get to move into the most productive environment when they need it most.

Where would you find these beasts - well go to a river in the Otways, wander into the water and look down and you should be able to see them in schools. Or if you are in New Zealand, go whitebaiting, and you will see them by the pound.

This years winner is a Victorian focused on habitat restoration in the Otways. Lizzie is the youngest winner of this prize and also the first female winner. The Cape Otway Centre for Conservation Ecology showcases environmentally sustainable practices. Lizzie and her partner Shayne built in 2004, opening in April to provide people a chance to see their native wildlife in their natural settings. For more information follow the link or contact Lizzie on 03 5237 9297

" Little Self Centred Queen"

" Fishing for a dream "

" Green"

Clare Bowditch

Turin Brakes

Totally Gourdgeous

The ocean beach was great at dawn and will get better as the day goes on. The wind is starting to crank up making the ocean more betterer. It is very good and swinging.