Green Turtle seen munching away on rocks today, close to Fairy Bower.
Thought I’d give you a quick update on the fantastic talk by Richard Nicholls from Manly Dive Centre on Tuesday night at Bluewater Cafe. He told us that in the 80’s Shelly Beach was known as ‘Smelly Beach’ because of the sewage outfall at North Head! It then came under enormous pressure in the 90’s with spear fishermen. Apparently the fishing lobby were very powerful on Manly Council back then but certain people pushed for protection. They were successful and Cabbage Tree Bay was declared a Marine Reserve and is now totally unique. Nowhere else in the world can you swim with 435 different marine species so close to a major city!
Giant Cuttlefish spotted yesterday 200 metres from Shelly.
Richard said we have more species in this square kilometre than in the entire Mediterranean! It is because of the fishing ban which has allowed this beautiful protected bay to become a safe haven for so many different creatures. Like the gorgeous Hawksbill that has been delighting swimmers and their children these school holidays.
Richard called us ‘The Pink Army’ as we protect CTB from fishermen! Remember if you do see anyone illegally fishing contact the authorities asap.
Some people have been rightfully concerned about swimmers touching turtles but I haven’t seen any of this. Most of us are respectful and in awe of these beautiful creatures. By sharing the joy and showing our children I believe we are encouraging and inspiring people to care for the environment, look out for anyone not observing the rules and want to protect this amazing marine life we are so lucky to see every day!
Richard also told us our beautiful bay is home to 4 threatened species: the Weedy SeaDragon, Elegant Wrasse, Grey Nurse (although haven’t been seen for a few years) and Black Rock Cod.
We have been seeing Dusky Whalers for the past few months. A few have been seen with hooks and line hanging from their mouths. We hope nobody managed to sneak past The Pink Army and hook them in Cabbage Tree Bay… I stopped a spear fisherman yesterday on Bower Street but he said it was still Ok to fish around the corner. (I did ask him how he could do that with a good conscience knowing something from the Marine Reserve could have accidentally swam there.)
Louise Stacey dives to pick up a piece of plastic only to find it’s a weird looking jellyfish!
The fish diversity here is 20 times that of the rest of Sydney!
Sergeant Baker basking on a rock
We love seeing Blue Gropers. This friendly chap has been hanging around near the tall palm tree close to where the Hawksbill Turtle lives. Eastern Blue Gropers are now semi protected and can live to 70-80 years.
Cabbage Tree Bay Marine Reserve is proof that total protection really works. It was declared a no take Aquatic Reserve in 2002.
Now just a quick round up of this morning’s swim in 5 photos.
I just manage to catch a glimpse of sunshine at 6.25am.
Sophie, Ian and Melissa after their dose of vitamin sea!
Post-swim coffee at The Benches. Talking of which please join us tomorrow as the legendary Greg McDonaugh is celebrating his birthday along with the lovely Toni Jackson.
I‘m also putting on a ‘Cake/Healthy Slice Stall’ in aid of my friend Ruth Udell tomorrow Saturday post-swim. Please bring some money/and/or a plate to sell.Thank you so very much to all those who have donated. We are incredibly grateful.
Luckily I managed to finish my Marathon last Sunday in Canberra and when it got really, really hard I pushed on because of Ruth and how she would dearly love to walk a few steps again and to my 108 (at the last count) sponsors. We’ve raised a whopping $7500 but customised electric wheelchairs are expensive and I would love to have one last try to get over $8000.
Click below to learn more or donate:
https://www.mycause.com.au/page/85203/runningforruth
Bloggers Needed!
Like to try your hand at amateur journalism ? Please join the blogging team as we have vacancies on every other Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Help keep the B&B journal alive by helping periodically. All training will be provided and it doesn’t have to take up much time. We will even lend you an underwater camera to get those fantastic shots. Come and join and help us. Please contact JK direct or on 0419 277 410419 277 4170419 277 417 or at jmk@balancemanagement.net.au
Stats
100 swimmers 3 Newbies
Water Temp 21.3
Have a wonderful day folks and hope to see you tomorrow for a swim and slice! (turtle Tours available on request totally free and refunds if no sightings 😉 )
Lainey Loo aka Elaine
28 comments
lesbubbles
17/04/2015 at 12:59 pm
One of the swimmers a few weeks ago grabbed hold of the turtle! Also ‘crowding around’ the turtle freaks them out… So yeah it’s nice to see a turtle swimming by but swimming after it in groups doesn’t appeal to me at all 😉
Robbie the regular swimmer
17/04/2015 at 1:16 pm
Great blog Elaine and congrats on the marathon and raising all that money!! You have a heart of gold and it’s a shame more people don’t put as much effort into looking after this amazing bay.
Lainey aka E-laine
17/04/2015 at 1:21 pm
We always leave plenty of room for the turtle to come up and breathe but the Hawksbill is not fazed by us and sometimes chooses to turn around and swim in our direction!
Lainey aka E-laine
17/04/2015 at 1:22 pm
Thanks Robbie (not sure which Robbie you are!)Jalna and the ladies always pick up at least 3 pieces of litter on each swim. We should all try and do that maybe.
To bubble or not?
17/04/2015 at 1:52 pm
Gee, lesbubbles, I hate it when I agree with you, but last Saturday as I waS doing my swim to the point and over to half way, so I can unashamedly tick a double, two different groups of about 10 each went and harassed the turtle. We should all be leaving it alone!!!a domesticated turtle that doesn’t swim away is not what CTB needs. It’s a wild creature. Give it some space.
Happy happy blog!
To bubble or not?
17/04/2015 at 1:54 pm
I saw a blowfly, a sea urchin and Ian Mck!
Snorkles
17/04/2015 at 1:55 pm
Yes good idea to pick up the rubbish!!
If you go to pick up a can or bottle just check before you take it out of the water that no tiny critter is inside. They do like to make them their homes in them.
Leave it alone!
17/04/2015 at 2:08 pm
Elaine you need to leave the turtle alone. Taking endless photos of it for your own promotion is selfish.
Shelly
17/04/2015 at 2:29 pm
wow, Lainey loo is the kindest person you would ever want to meet !!! bar none.
I think she has been very respectful of the turtle(s) she is just creating marine awareness and trying to get others to enjoy what we all do.
I have never seen any turtle “freaking out” or anyone grabbing it.
if it was stressed I’m sure it would leave, but we are actully getting more there, something must be right !
Lovely blog Lainey.
We should all bring heaps of money for your wonderful effort tomorrow to help you reach your goal for your friend Ruth.
Love You all
Shelly
xoxoxo
Jenny :)
17/04/2015 at 4:02 pm
Amazing pics in your blog today Elaine – thanks for showing me the turtle this week. It makes a fantastic swim even more awesome.
Shelley K
17/04/2015 at 4:21 pm
Always a great blog, and your cuttlefish photos are a highlight, thanks
LSA aka HKTQ
17/04/2015 at 4:40 pm
Great blog as usual, Lainey. Fabulous pics. Louise’s dive for the plastic only to find it’s a kind of jellyfish is amazing. Much appreciated!
Praise and blame, gain and loss, honour and dishonour…. the trick is to learn to take it all in our stride with equanimity. Not easy! Just keep doing your best! xxx
Nurse J
17/04/2015 at 5:04 pm
Here is a link to the website for take 3.
http://www.take3.org.au
If we each picked up at least 3 pieces of rubbish each time we swam imagine the difference we could make on those busy days. It’s easy, and you can find most of the rubbish on the shoreline waiting to be washed out again on the next tide.
Give it a go…take 3 for the sea x
Sharnie
17/04/2015 at 5:12 pm
The behaviour of the hawkesbill turtle is concerning. It may be sick or recovering and spends a lot of time in the cave. Havin people coming up to it each day and spend loads of time around it will definately be freaking it out. A good rule I thumb is to be at least 2-3 metres away from the turtle at all times and to spend a few mins admiring it then move on. I’ve seen people there constantly very morning for over 1 hour crowding it and diving down right next to it. There are several reports of people touching and poking it. When the turtle finally moves away people follow it an encircle it. I know that Shelly the turtle made more effort to avoid people when she was sick so the fact that this turtle doesn’t means we should make more effort not to change it’s natural behaviour. We want to to avoid predators so it can survive. National Parks and other conservation groups are aware of the situation with the B and B group harassing the turtle and it is effecting our reputation as a group and likely that fines will be imposed if it is not stopped.
Shelly
17/04/2015 at 6:29 pm
“The ledges and caves of coral reefs provide shelter for resting hawksbills both during the day and at night. Hawksbills are known to inhabit the same resting spot night after night. Hawksbills are also found around rocky outcrops and high energy shoals.”
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/hawksbill.htm
The NSA
17/04/2015 at 7:03 pm
Ian I’ve seen you poke the turtle – you can’t help yourself – can you?
bootycampbuffman
17/04/2015 at 7:19 pm
That’s not true nick, I didnt “Poke it”
Lainey aka E-laine
17/04/2015 at 7:23 pm
Maybe you could blog again Nick Dawkins. You are obviously jealous!
The NSA
17/04/2015 at 7:31 pm
I saw you poke it with your index finger – you are one of the people who say you’re not when you clearly are …
I kind of expect that from you though….
alyson
17/04/2015 at 7:53 pm
Elaine, congratulations for crusading in the cause of your beloved friend Ruth and for fighting to protect our marine reserve. We are all so privileged to swim in such a magical spot so frequently. Nature has its way of merging with us humans and we all show great respect For such magnificent natural diversity.
alyson
17/04/2015 at 7:56 pm
I have seen elaine personally ask people to move on when she felt they were not as respectful as they should be so no need for concern of our lovely lainey loo here 🙂
Turtle
17/04/2015 at 7:59 pm
Stop fighting everyone. It makes me sad..
Lainey aka E-laine
17/04/2015 at 8:10 pm
I know how you feel Turtle
kierin ryan
17/04/2015 at 9:38 pm
In the 6 months I have been doing B&B (avg 1 swim a week, but read blog everyday) I have been so impressed with the amazing sense of fun, belonging and community – it’s something precious and I really value it.
Everyone is entitled to their view on how sensitive the turtle is to human interaction, but it was upsetting to see some people park their manners before blogging.
There is an old saying that is forefront of my mind at the moment:
“praise in public and criticise in private”.
That’s my 20 cents …… kierin
Shelly
17/04/2015 at 10:06 pm
you are quite right Kierin.
I apologise.
Spend up big with Lainey’s cake stall ! for a great cause.
kierin ryan
17/04/2015 at 11:53 pm
You’re an angel Shelly … It was others comments that I felt were not necessary in this forum. Especially the ones that look like their name was hidden. Here is my tip… if you have a different view to Elaine on photographing the turtle, try having a one on one “conversation” with her. Yep – crazy stuff kierin.
To ensure transparency …. i have never met Elaine and I like seeing the photos of the turtle. It means I can go wide and deep with the sharks but still “see” this lovely creature via this blog.
Lainey aka E-laine
18/04/2015 at 4:56 am
Thank you Kierin. Your 20 cents means a lot. For the first time in almost 3 years I’ve felt like packing in and the 3+ hours I spend on the blog a week is not worth it but you’ve restored my faith.
Tracey
18/04/2015 at 7:57 am
Lainey, your blog is fabulous and you’re fabulous too! Disappointed to see a tiny minority “communicating” in this way, with inaccurate information I might add. Have a great day and well done on a great cake sale today 🙂