Dive Site of the Month - Brett (who else)

Bron and Anth join you once again to bring you the latest in marine current affairs. If you happen to hear a rapid clacking noise - don't worry - it's just Pete's teeth clattering as he makes his pannelling debut in the "new" Triple R studios.

It's been a busy week - not the least of which was the coming and going of "International Talk Like a Pirate Day". Also, a document has recently surfaced in the UK regarding the Mahogany Ship - something about the early British colonists being ordered to dismantle and remove it just in case it jeopardized their "claim" to the great southern land.

Brett's currently down at The Prom (lucky bugger) where he describes the landscape as "having had a brazilian".

*ahem*

On the water side of things, he is enjoying - between intermittent bouts of statewide radio fame - warm sunny days and best of all - clear water!!! Shore diving is great - as long as you have the stamina to walk there! And given the Prom's amazing topography - this can be one hell of an effort. The habitats to see here are just unique. The mix of cold and warm currents make for an incredible range of fish and invertebrates, and Brett reckons the outer islands are especially beautiful on account of their being the most pristine and unaffected by human presence.

Within the Bay, it's been quite good - except for anywhere that the "Bitch of the Netherlands" has been at work.

*ahem*

Brett's opinions are purely his own, and do not represent those of RRR, radio marinara or potentially anyone else.

Development, development, development! Bastion point is currently the subject of much controversy as yet another coastal area faces the prospect of development - in this case a new marina.

Jenny Mason, President of Friends of Mallacoota, joined us to talk about what is at stake. Not only are there questions regarding the impact upon the environment (at least one reef will be detrimentally affected), but also there are certain safety issues associated with the breakwater that have come to light as well.

It's an issue which has divided the community to an extent, with some people keen to see the area developed for tourism and development opportunities, while many others beleive that such development will destroy the character and ambiance that makes it such a beautiful place to live.

At present, the local council has voted to proceed with an Environmental Effects Statement (EES) which will eventually be released for public input. When this happens, it will be up to the public to put in their submissions and make their feelings known.

Check out www.bastionpoint.org for more information on this issue.

The Coastal Cooperative Research Council (Coastal CRC) has been involved in a number of partnerships around Australia, one of which has been the value of our estuaries, and their associated wetlands. Anth caught up with Dr Rob Fearon to talk about what the benefits of estuaries are, and also how we can apply a "dollar figure" to these areas.

Estuaries - typically an area where a river meets the sea - are an important part of any coastline. They are often one of the only sheltered areas that a coastline may have, and this makes them a great habitat for juvenile fish - a factor that obviously has big ramifications on our local fisheries, both recreational and commercial.

"Rob Clarkson"

"Second time I saw you"

"Singin in the rain"

What did we talk about

Perry Keyes

Mint Royale