Sim and I are mad keen scuba divers and have a particular interest in helping preserve our oceans and the animals and plants that inhabit that world.
We went to a seminar run by Reef Watch Victoria on an overview of Opisthobranchs of Southern Waters. Now, don't run away screaming at the scientific latin vocab ... it was actually a low key fascinating talk by an expert on marine slugs...okay that probably isn't really helping either is it...I can see everyone picturing those grey slugs from the garden that eat all the good stuff and foil every attempt to remove them.
This is what the talk was actually about:
That is what is commonly called a nudibranch and they come in the most amazing colours and shapes and sizes. Here are a few more:
Most of these photos I took in the Philippines but the one above in the middle is actually a local - Williamstown Beach right here in Melbourne.
The bits that look like feather boas are actually their gills. They're not very big...about the same size as land slugs if not a bit smaller but you have to admit they are much prettier; they are also referred to as the butterflies of the sea. The amazing thing is that not that much is known about them. It is estimated there are approximately 3000 different species worldwide but probably more. A lot have been identified but not formally described or named.
Bob Burns was the presenter and he has been studying these animals for more than 50 years. What is even more amazing is that he isn't a scientist or a marine biologist or even a scuba diver for that matter, he's a builder, a tradie so passionate about a particular subject that he has become, and is considered, an expert in his field. Scientists send him papers they've published for him to read...he even has one species named after him.
An added, and unexpected bonus, was the tour of the aquarium afterwards. We got to spend some time in the main oceanarium watching the sharks and the bull rays and the turtles and the snapper to name a few. It was a fascinating night...a glimpse into a world that is often forgotten and exploited but a necessary part of the system that maintains life on this planet.
Reef Watch is planning more seminars throughout the year...there may even be one about penguins (with a potential visit to the penguin exhibit at the Melbourne Aquarium). Check out the Reef Watch website if you're interested.
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