DIVE LOG Australasia

Weedy Seadragon, Portsea Pier

Port Jacksons shark eating a Giant Spider Crab during molting, Rosebud

Our local snorkelling/freediving community “Snorkelling Melbourne Victoria” (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1851034921821673) is always welcoming new members, with fresh faces joining us regularly. Freediving offers a range of health benefits that appeal to enthusiasts of all levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals. The sport naturally encourages a healthier lifestyle, as it requires a high degree of physical fitness and mental focus. Freedivers often find themselves motivated to improve their overall well-being by adopting better dietary habits, reducing alcohol consumption, and incorporating regular exercise into their routines. The combination of breath control, relaxation, and underwater exploration fosters a unique connection between body and mind, promoting physical and psychological health. Whether you’re just starting or a seasoned pro, maintaining physical condition enhances your experience, allowing you to dive deeper, stay underwater longer, and fully enjoy the ocean’s beauty. I have a deep passion for taking underwater pictures, capturing the vibrant and diverse marine life in all its glory. My trusty TG-6 camera is my constant companion, and always charged and ready to go whenever I am. Whether it's a rare encounter with a sea creature or the perfect shot of a colourful reef, I’m always prepared to document the beauty beneath the waves. We all have favourite locations to freedive in the bay. Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary is at the top for spotting Port Jackson sharks and is also home to southern hulafish, zebra fish, dusky morwongs, moonlighters, Australian sweep to name a few. Rye Pier is known for its octopus trail (garden) and is also home to decorator crabs and seahorses. Weedy seadragons can be found at Portsea Pier, while Blairgowrie Pier is known for its colourful nudibranchs. Diving at the back beaches of Port Phillip Bay is a rare but exhilarating experience, offering spectacular scenery and diverse marine life. These locations, filled with caves, secret passages, and swim throughs, present a unique underwater adventure. However, the conditions can be challenging and change rapidly, making these dives best suited for those with advanced freediving skills. For those up to the challenge, the rewards are truly unforgettable.

The more you venture out freediving in Port Phillip Bay, the greater your chances of encountering some of its rare and remarkable inhabitants. While the bay is teeming with diverse marine life, there are occasional sightings that make the experience truly unforgettable. Dolphins and seals, for instance, are known to grace freedivers with their playful presence, turning an ordinary dive into a magical encounter. These intelligent creatures often approach curiously, swimming gracefully alongside freedivers, creating memories that last a lifetime. But it's not just the common species that make repeated dives rewarding. The bay also plays host to rarer visitors, such as the elusive seven gill sharks, skates angel sharks,well-camouflaged wobbegong sharks and on the rare occasion sea turtles! Spotting one of these ancient, mysterious creatures is a thrilling experience, a testament to the rich biodiversity of Port Phillip Bay. One of the most remarkable natural phenomena in Port Phillip Bay is the annual arrival of giant spider crabs. Each year, these fascinating creatures return to the shallow waters of the bay in their thousands, creating an awe inspiring spectacle as they congregate to shed. This event, which typically occurs during the cooler months, is one of the bay’s most anticipated and unique occurrences. As the crabs gather, they form massive groups on the sandy seafloor, discarding their old exoskeletons in a process called molting. This behaviour not only allows them to grow larger but also offers protection, as they are vulnerable to predators while their new shells harden. The sight of thousands of crabs moving together in unison is truly a wonder of nature! Every dive in Port Phillip Bay offers the potential for a unique and awe-inspiring encounter, making each journey beneath the waves an adventure worth undertaking. As freedivers, we actively monitor and preserve our marine ecosystem by assessing the health of the local marine life and habitats during our dives. This includes observing species diversity, noting any changes in population, and reporting any signs of pollution or damage to authorities. By following responsible diving practices, such as avoiding contact with marine creatures and not disturbing habitats, we aim to minimise our impact on the

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DIVE LOG Australasia #408 - October ‘24

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