Albany fish program seeks divers

A program initiated to establish a better understanding of south coast fish life on reefs has extended into this year with community divers still being sought to contribute to long-term research.

The Albany-based South Coast Community Based Fish Monitoring Program is in its fourth year of collecting diver-based video data to research fish life at King George Sound, Two Peoples Bay and Cosy Corner.

The program was initiated in 2006 by Curtin University Marine Scientist Professor Euan Harvey after concerns about changes in fish size, species and population trends along the WA coast.

In 2013, the south coast sample sites were included in the citizen science program with project partners South Coast Natural Resource Management, Great Southern Grammar and South Coast Diving Supplies and community volunteers.

Community volunteers contribute to the research by scuba diving to collect underwater video footage along local reefs, then analysing the imagery in the computer lab.

Stereo video systems like the Diver Operated Video System (DOVS) developed by Professor Harvey allow a robust census of marine life through repeatable techniques achievable by divers and boaters.

South Coast NRM coastal, marine and water program leader Dylan Gleave said the program was keen to recruit more community divers and project partners.

“This program is very successful, and proves that community volunteers, with good training and technical support, can contribute quality data that increases our understanding of reef fish and marine ecology,” he said

Recent data findings and the program will be discussed at two public talks next week on Monday at South Coast NRM from 5pm to 6pm and Tuesday from 10.30am to 11.30am at the WA Museum Albany.