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Bayside Chapter

After hearing about OzFish during a presentation at the local BCF store, a group of mates were keen to become members.

Upon learning that there was no local Chapter, they decided to establish their own and the rest is history.

A close-knit group, the OzFish Bayside Chapter has a strong connection to the local diving community. They partner with Ocean Divers to undertake marine debris cleanups at local piers, including Mornington and Mordialloc. They also regularly conduct Northern Pacific Sea Star removals.

As the Chapter’s name suggests, their range covers the Bayside region in Victoria, on the eastern shores of Port Phillip Bay.

The Chapter undertakes activities from St Kilda to Mornington and has extended its services to Westernport when needed.

The region’s traditional owners and custodians are the Bun wurrung Aboriginal people.

The Bayside area, particularly from Beaumaris to Carrum, is renowned snapper fishing grounds during the season and important spawning areas for these much-loved fish from September to November.

Areas along the eastern side of Port Phillip Bay have good calamari and flathead.

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Seastar Removals

When OzFish Bayside Chapter members get out and about in the water, they can often be found removing sea stars that are invasive to Port Phillip Bay.

Northern Pacific sea stars are an invasive pest in Australia which are believed to have arrived in ballast water. With millions present in the bay, these organisms do significant damage to local biodiversity.

The Chapter conducts eradication dive collections by hand, working together with local dive groups to clear local areas.

Monitoring

The OzFish Bayside Chapter volunteers uses baited remote underwater video (BRUV) technology to monitor the health of the area, especially in the recently restored shellfish reefs.

They also monitor the area with regular dives getting a fish-eye view of their local aquatic habitats.

Data collection is essential to ensure that habitat restoration projects are successful.

Marine debris cleanups

The Bayside Chapter holds regular clean-ups both above and below the water. They’re always looking for an extra pair of hands and getting involved is a great way to give back to the Bay.

Marine litter is a serious problem in the ocean and the Chapter are keen to do as much as they can to clean up their local area.

The Chapter believes that although it might not be their rubbish, it’s their habitat.

If you are interested in their regular clean-ups, please get in touch today.

SCUBA site assessments

The assessments help the local OzFish chapter better understand the habitat that they’re looking after, and identify ways they can better enhance fish habitat quality.

Utilising their diving community partnerships, they actively monitor and survey dive sites characteristics such as depth, currents, hazards, invasive and common marine species, and assess conditions such as when to dive at certain times of the day in regard to visibility, currents, surf, surge and water temperature.

 

Reccy’s making a difference

As part of the Port Phillip Bay funded project Reccys Restore The Bay members have been busy fishing for footage, conducting Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) monitoring at their local fishing spots and helping to monitor shellfish reefs restoration projects currently underway in Port Phillip Bay.

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Up and Coming

In partnership with the local Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority, OzFish has been successful in a number of federally funded grants through the fish habitat restoration program. OzFish Bayside Chapter will be rolling up their sleeves and helping out with the Port Phillip Community Shellfish Reef and Reel Big Fish (Westernport) projects.

They’re looking forward to working with the CMA and other fishing stakeholders to achieve great outcomes for fish habitat in the Bay.

Continue the conversation with the Bayside Chapter by following them on Facebook or tagging @OzFishBaysideVIC

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