After you've dived the South Coast for a while, you get to know many of the common fish species, as well as quite a few of the other kinds of marine life found here. So it is always great to come across something unusual and even more so if it is something big and physically impressive. The Grey Nurse Shark is one such species, but they are not so hard to find if you are in the right place at the right time.

Some time ago I was pottering along a bommie when all of a sudden a large black and white fish popped out of a hole, swam away from me and then ducked into another hole. He had a distinctive pattern of diagonal white and black bands and many small white spots and blotches. I recognised him as a Black Cod from having seen photos and having indistinct glimpses of specimens of this species on two or three previous dives.

The Black Cod (Epinephelus daemelii) is a relative of the Queensland Groper and other members of the Serranidae family, which includes tropical gropers and cod. They used to be common in NSW waters but are now rarely seen. They can grow to 2 metres in length and so are an impressive fish. In a state of some excitement, I followed this fellow to his hidey hole and could see him deep within, surrounded by many other fish, including Beardies, several Eastern Wirrah and a Moray Eel.

Things got quite busy when I stuck my head in, as the fish were clearly not expecting company. They all darted back and forth in front of me, making it difficult to see the Black Cod. When I caught a glimpse of him (or her, as the case may be), I could see that it was maybe a metre in length, so far from fully grown. I could just make out the large mouth and strong teeth that mark out a major predator. After taking a couple of photos I left it and its room-mates in peace.

It was great to see this fish in our South Coast waters. Hopefully it is still alive and will grow to full size and produce many offspring. For that to happen, of course, it has to find a mate and that may not be easy now that their numbers are so reduced. We must also hope that it is not inadvertently taken by fishers. The species is fully protected in NSW and Commonwealth waters, with a fine of up to $55,000 for anyone who harms, buys, sells or possesses a Black Cod in NSW.

While fines are part of the protection regime, marine sanctuaries are another, more positive, element. The future of the Black Cod on the South Coast will be assured if locals and visitors become better aware both of the richness of our marine environment in general and of the appearance and lifestyle of this impressive fish. You can do your bit (especially if you are a fisher) by looking out for Black Cod, and returning any you catch to the water with as little stress as possible. The detailed Fisheries species posters found at many boat ramps include a picture of a Black Cod.