Recent reports from the north and south of the Bay of thousands of fresh, washed-up Thin-ribbed cockle shells (Fulvia tenuicostata) raise concerns about the impact of Northern Pacific Seastars (Asterias amurensis) on this species; particularly as … [Read more...]
Time to cut the environmental cost of pest seastars?
Northern Pacific Seastars (Asterias amurensis) were first found in Port Phillip Bay in 1994. With recent estimates putting the Bay population at 165 million, and each female producing 20 million eggs, it's fair to say they're here to stay! Since … [Read more...]
Fake grass adds plastics to the Bay
Even after several months of collecting and documenting tufts of synthetic turf leaking from a sportsfield installation by the Darebin Creek, it still came as quite a shock to find some had made its way to St Kilda beach. Fake grass is just another … [Read more...]
Live mollusc surveys – tracking coastal change
The ‘Grey to Green ‘ project is an innovative collaboration between City of Greater Geelong and the National Centre for Coasts & Climate (University of Melbourne) to address coastal erosion at Ramblers Road (Point Richards). A ‘living … [Read more...]
Blue mussels: # 1 mollusc in the Bay
The animals (mostly molluscs) that live on and in the seabed play a a key role in cycling nutrients that underpin the health of the Bay food chain. Despite this importance, there have been few longterm studies of shellfish in the Bay. Since 2009 the … [Read more...]
Summer dredging to dump more contaminated sediments in the Bay
The plan to conduct shipping channel maintenance dredging of from mid November to February 2020 (peak season for recreational swimmers) raises serious questions about our ability to manage the Port of Melbourne for the benefit of all Victorians. … [Read more...]
The great Easter egg hunt is on!
An unusually high number of sand snail egg masses found on the Carrum shoreline on April 15 prompted an email enquiry to Museums Victoria for advice on when spawning occurs. Impressively, they replied the very next day with the most up-to-date … [Read more...]
Tracking plastic from Streets to Bay
The Port Phillip Baykeeper ‘Street to Bay’ litter audits are designed to track plastic pollutants commonly found in Port Phillip Bay to their major source - urban streets connected to the Bay by stormwater drains and waterways. Engaging communities … [Read more...]
Shifting shorelines: a bug’s-eye view
'Grey to Green' project leads the way..... Collaboration with City of Greater Geelong and the National Centre for Coasts and Climate to monitor the effects of installing a semi-submerged breakwater off Point Richards is a golden opportunity to … [Read more...]
Geelong wooden boats festival – get on board!
Poor old Captain Trash is still on the lookout to find his boat the ‘Rocknroll’! Sometime last century as a small laddie sailing the high seas a fierce storm whipped up in Port Phillip Bay. Waves crashed over the boat and winds howled like ghosts … [Read more...]
Annual health check for the Bay
Assorted limpets and top shells at Point Gellibrand (Pic by Stathi Paxinos) With the Summer By the Sea program underway it’s time for our annual health check of Port Phillip Bay - for the ninth year! The Baykeeper Shoreline Shell Safaris, which … [Read more...]
What’s not to like about the kite?
Calling all dare devils! Do you like to race across the water and make spectacular leaps up to 4 metres in the air, totally impressing crowds on piers and beaches? Would you like a hobby that compared to motorised personal water craft costs less to … [Read more...]
Melbourne’s world class water – well worth protecting
In the week when we're wondering if newly discovered planets have life-supporting water, it's exciting to see the Victorian Government launch of the Yarra River Action Plan Wilip-gin Birrarung murron (pdf) Caring for the Yarra and its water … [Read more...]
