The Nature Coast Marine Group has a wide range of activities focusing on learning about and conserving the marine environment. The NCMG also carries out research, primarily through a program of marine life surveys conducted by members who are snorkelers.

With the onset of warmer weather, the NCMG organised training sessions for members wanting to take part in the survey program to ensure that they were able to apply the standardised methodology and identify the major species of marine life likely to be encountered. At two training sessions in December at Broulee a total of 18 snorkelers were trained in marine life identification and the survey methodology. Participants were enthusiastic about getting involved in this conservation project and enjoyed the training program.

The snorkelers learned how to lay out a 30 metre tape across the bottom of the survey site, how to identify and count fish, how to duck dive to identify and count invertebrates such as urchins and molluscs and how to identify seaweeds and other structures on the bottom. Each participant in the training was given a waterproof sheet showing the major species of interest.

For the last two years, the NCMG has been carrying out this survey program at a number of sites from Mollymook in the North to Bermagui in the South. Some of the sites are inside Batemans Marine Park sanctuary zones, some are in other zones and some are outside the Park. The data gathered contributes to establishing a base-line of information on marine life within the Marine Park and will add to the information available to the Marine Park managers on changes in the marine environment over time.

Participants in the surveys are able to learn more about the varied and interesting marine life in the Marine Park through contact with experts in the field. The value of this work as a contribution to the conservation of marine biodiversity was recognised last year by the provision of a grant by the Federal Government’s ‘Caring for our Country’ program, which has assisted in the purchase of some equipment and materials for the project.