Steve's Shark Site

White pointer shark (c) Terry Goss 2006/Marine Photobank


I'm now up to 3 blogs following the establishment of Steve's Shark Site at http://stevessharksite.blogspot.com/

Spearfishing at Second Valley

My blog at http://stevesscubasite.blogspot.com/2009/08/spearfishing-at-second-valley.html incorrectly stated "As it stands at present, policing the current ban would be difficult. Spearfishers may enter or exit the 1st bay but be able to say that they only speared outside of the bay."
The Recreational Fishing Guide (found at http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/59935/rec_guide_2008_general_fishing.pdf ) says that "Spearfishing with a hand fish spear or a spear gun is not permitted: In the waters of Second Valley Bay." AND "Persons may carry a fish spear or UNLOADED spear gun in the above waters, but only if carrying the device to or from a boat."

Shipwreck blog

I have now started a shipwreck blog at http://stevesshipwrecksite.blogspot.com/

Huge oil slick off NW Australian coast

According to the web page found at http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/853083/too-early-to-determine-wa-spill-impact, a gas rig spill has left a huge oil slick off the north-west Australian coast. A video can be viewed at http://news.ninemsn.com.au/video.aspx?videoid=b1c933f7-b7fa-4e0f-9c44-d27efba1a09c.

2010 Calendar of South Australian Marine Life

As reported earlier, the 2010 calendar of South Australian Marine Life is now available. They are still $10 ea. Helen Crawford took the front cover photo of zebra fish at, appropriately, Fishery Beach. There are other great photos by Helen, Antony King, Alexius Sutandio, Paul Macdonald, Phil Mercurio, Anne Wilson, Chris Hall, Ray Trezise, Joe Taylor & David Muirhead. The front & rear covers for the calendar can be seen at http://picasaweb.google.com.au/stevereynolds600/2010CalendarOfSouthAustralianMarineLife. Contact me via this blog to order your copies of the calendar.

Port Noarlunga Foreshore Redevelopment

The Port Noarlunga Foreshore Redevelopment invloves, amongst other things, a 'boardwalk'. Peter Jury has taken a few photos of the work being done on the boardwalk close to the Pt Noarlunga jetty. These photos have been posted at http://picasaweb.google.com.au/stevereynolds600/PortNoarlungaForeshoreRedevelopment.

Spearfishing at Second Valley

A spearfishing ban at Second Valley was proclaimed in March 1992. Page 16 of the 2008 “SA Recreational Fishing Guide” says “Spearfishing . . . is not permitted . . . in the waters of Second Valley Bay”. As reported in my blog at http://stevesscubasite.blogspot.com/2009/07/new-spearfishing-sign-at-2nd-valley.html , "A new sign has now been installed at Second Valley, advising of the spearfishing ban in the bay where the jetty is located." (See details in the photo in my blog. Double click on it to enlarge the image.) So it seems that the ban does not apply to all of Second Valley, only the first bay there. Spearing is apparently allowed in the second bay and beyond. It also seems that spearing would be allowed at Lasseters Reef if it is outside of the line between the two points either side of the jetty. Now it may well be that "the waters of Second Valley Bay” only ever meant the first bay. I believe that the second bay and Lasseters Reef ought to be included in the banned area. Even then, spearing would still be allowed along the edge of the two points. Perhaps that whole section of coast ought to be included in the ban. Any marine life there needs to be protected for the enjoyment of divers and snorkellers. As it stands at present, policing the current ban would be difficult. Spearfishers may enter or exit the 1st bay but be able to say that they only speared outside of the bay.

Whales at Middleton & Seals at Port Elliot

I just spent a couple of days at Middleton (mid-way between Victor Harbor & Goolwa) on the south coast of SA. The 1st day was perfect for whale watching at Middleton, with at least 6 (southern right?) whales (with calves?) to be seen close to shore. The next day was gloomy but perfect for getting close to seals swimming at Port Elliot. I have posted a few photos at http://picasaweb.google.com.au/stevereynolds600/WhalesSeals#5368208979486344450.

Spearfishing ban at Second Valley

A spearfishing ban at Second Valley was proclaimed in March 1992. Page 16 of the 2008 "SA Recreational Fishing Guide" says "Spearfishing . . . is not permitted . . . in the waters of Second Valley Bay". As reported in my blog at http://stevesscubasite.blogspot.com/2009/07/new-spearfishing-sign-at-2nd-valley.html, "A new sign has now been installed at Second Valley, advising of the spearfishing ban in the bay where the jetty is located." (See details in the photo in my blog. Double click on it to enlarge the image.) So it seems that the ban does not apply to all of Second Valley, only the first bay there. Spearing is apparently allowed in the second bay and beyond. It also seems that spearing would be allowed at Lasseters Reef if it outside of the line between the two points either side of the jetty. Now it may well be that "the waters of Second Valley Bay" only ever meant the first bay. I believe that the second bay and Lasseters Reef ought to be included in the banned area. Even then, spearing would still be allowed along the edge of the two points. Perhaps that whole section of coast ought to be included in the ban. Any divers in the area could easily become the target of a wayward spear and the marine life needs to be protected for the enjoyment of divers and snorkellers. What do you think? Let me know what your thoughts are.

Seals at the Bluff

On 3 occasions this year, I've been fortunate enough to see some seals either prior to, or after (but not during) my dives. 1 occasion was at 2nd Valley when I didn't have a camera handy. The other 2 times were both at the Bluff, Victor Harbor, when I managed some shots (with my old camera). I have posted some of these photos at http://picasaweb.google.com.au/stevereynolds600/SealsAtTheBluff.

11-arm sea stars at the Bluff

During my recent brief photographic solo dive at the Bluff, I saw numerous large 11-arm sea stars. They were easier to photograph than fish in the trying conditions. I have posted all 8 of my 11-arm photos at http://picasaweb.google.com.au/stevereynolds600/11ArmSeaStarsAtTheBluff. These creatures are generally considered to be drab & dreary but a close look reveals some wonderful colours.

Steve's new camera

After a brief introduction to digital photography, & an even briefer intro to underwater digital, I invested in a new camera & housing. I did a solo dive at the Bluff on 1st August to test my new camera housing. All went reasonably well in the trying conditions. I have posted a few of my best shots at http://picasaweb.google.com.au/stevereynolds600/SteveSNewCamera.