Underwater Research Group of New South Wales
Presidents Slate
Hi all,
Good news to report this month. First off the boat is has two new engines. Big thanks to Josh and all his helpers. I'm scared to name individuals here in case I miss someone, but I can attest that the boat is running like a dream. 20+ knots an hour and planing like kid on a water slide. Add your availability here to book on.
March is full of ocean related activity thanks to the expansion of the Ocean Lover's Festival. Check out the event section at the bottom of the bulletin - but here some key items:
The whole of March is the inaugural Sydney Coast Hope Spot Marine Bioblitz - follow the link to join the iNaturalist project and upload the wildlife you encounter in and around the water.
28-29th March The Waverley BioBlitz - we will have a stall and be running boat dives to the Waverley area if the conditions allow. Sign up for the dives in the usual way on the spreadsheet - it will be a longer day as there is further to travel.
Just giving everyone some advanced notice, on the 5th April we're doing another fundraising sausage sizzle. Please sign up to contribute a few hours here.
For those interested in Reef Life Survey (RLS) - still TBC on dates for the Sydney boat surveys, we will update once we have more info.
Looking forward to see you all at the next general meeting on Tuesday 11 March.
Cheers,
Duncan Heuer
Dive Reports
URG Sunday, Feb 9 Dive Report
by Charlotte Mills
URG is a fabulous dive club, full of extremely experienced divers with brilliant skills. I am not
one of those.
On February 9 th 2025 I jumped on the URG boat for the first time (with husband Robin in tow
and fellow URGers Walter, Charlie, Duncan (convening) and David), with the second dive
that day marking my 50 th time breathing canned air to be close to the fish. The dive boat had
a handicap as it waited for a new engine, and the swell and wind reports were conflicting for
Botany Bay so Convenor Duncan cautiously poked the bow out of the heads for a look-sea.
The wind and swell were coming from the South making the water off La Perouse
uncomfortable to anchor in. Deciding not to risk the conditions with a dodgy engine, he
instead led us to The Steps at Kurnell in the lee of the wind. We jumped in between the
fishos and the rocks, a bit to the East of the shore entry. It was about mid-tide receding, so
there was a bit of water movement and the viz was not spectacular however we managed to
spy: several cardinal fish with mouths full of many eggs, colourful sea slugs including a Doris
crysoderma (Lemon Lolly Doris), Hawk fish, Half-Banded Sea Perch, a Granular Sea Star
and other friends.
For the second dive we pulled anchor and reset a little further west. Descending, before we
reached the anchor, club VP Charlie found a Mourning Cuttlefish hanging around the anchor
chain with a mouth full of… someone who spent too long in the sand. It was a cuttlefish kind
of dive because we also found a fresh (small) giant cuttlefish hiding under the rock ledges as
soon as we reached the rocks, and then through the rest of the macro journey we saw
Banded Weedfish, a teeny Widebody Pipefish, and thankfully for The Steps’ reputation, a
Weedy Seadragon.
Charlie spotted my husband’s all-time favourite fish, a tiny yellow boxfish, but didn’t get a
chance to share. We will forever be chasing that small yellow fellow who spins.
All in all a very successful trip, and pretty special to hit number 50 on the URG boat!
URG Sunday, Feb 23 Dive Report
by Marc Winoto
Sunday Feb 23 was a perfect day for a dive. Duncan was convenor, and Charlie, Swifty, Kosta, Dave, Lea and Marc were diving. The Marine Rescue App wasn’t working, so Duncan had to inform Marine Rescue we were going to be on the water over the radio. This turned out to be torturously slow and mildly humorous. Fortunately it was a nice day to be out!
Our first dive was at Magic Point where we bumped into the Abyss boat. Visibility was quite good in the water and we saw numerous Wobbegongs, and Abyss divers. Highlights were a single Grey Nurse shark cruising around, a Blue Groper, and a Giant Cuttlefish hiding under a ledge. Our divers also found some treasure: an action camera and a set of integrated weights marked with the Abyss name. When we all surfaced, the Abyss boat was gone and replaced with the ProDive boat providing hope that we might hang on to our bounty.
The next location was Henry’s Head where our dreams of being treasure hunters were dashed when we bumped into the Abyss boat again. We handed back the weights but there were no takers for the action cam. Visibility here wasn’t as good, but the highlight of the dive were the 5 Weedy Seadragons including a single juvenile. Charlie got pictures of all the specimens. 2 were new to the database!
STARR Young Scholarship (under 35 years) Deadline 16th March 2025
URG has often collaborated with the STARR (Scientific Trial: Active Reef Rehabilitation) coral restoration project at Les Village in Northern Bali. You may have seen their presentation at our general meeting in November last year. While their annual trip is fully subscribed, the Young Scientist Scholarship position is still open for applications.
The STARR Young Scientist Scholarship 2025:
We are seeking a passionate and dedicated young scientist who possesses the following qualifications:
- At least an Advanced Open Water Dive certification
- Strong communication skills
- Proficiency in fieldwork activities
- Keen interest in collaborating with local communities
The selected scholar will have a unique opportunity to contribute to a coral restoration program in Les Village, Bali, working alongside experienced marine scientists and local fishing communities.
Application Deadline: 16 March 2025
Apply here
We look forward to reviewing your application.
Eligibility requirements: Under 35 years' age.
History Articles
Weekend with Seals February 2000
by Janet Abbott
Last weekend a few club members hit the road and headed south to Narooma. A six hour drive for some of us that turned out to be well worth it. 8 divers, and 2 non- divers in all.
The trip away was organised by Jonathan. He booked the dive operator and the accommodation for those who didn’t want to arrange their own.
During the days before the weather had been shocking and I was fully expecting to be spending the weekend enjoying the gastronomic delights of the pretty sea- side town, but we were lucky. Saturday and Sunday were perfect for diving. The water was a bit chilly at 17º – 18 º, but most of us were in dry suites.
The dive operator doubled up as a day- trippers charter and ferry for people over nighting on Montague Island, but when he spotted Hump Back Whales he ignored his tight schedule and let us watch the whales breaching near the bow of the boat. Quite a treat.
We were dropped in the water right near a colony of seals basking on the rocks, heaps were lolling about sailing one flipper as they do on the surface. Under water we had front row seats for the seals showing off all their speed and dexterity, as well as their good looks. They are so cute with big eyes and whiskers, actually making eye contact. They didn’t seem bothered by us at all, even coming within touching distance.
Sunday was a repeat, minus the whales and non- divers on the boat, but we did see dolphins on the return boat ride. In the water we saw a Turtle and quite a few fish that we see at home, but after attending the Harbour Keepers training with Dave Roe from NPA looked at them far more closely and could distinguish easily between Eastern Kelp fish and Rock Cale, both there in abundance. Another treat was a ‘squadron’ of 71 small red squid that hovered in front of me long enough to make an accurate count.
In between diving it was especially good to catch up with the Haverbeke family who have been globe trotting, get to know Laura a bit more and to meet Anders and Catherine.
All up it was a really good weekend. Top marks and thanks to Jonathan for convening.
Janet.
Upcoming Events
Next general meeting - 11th March at the Oaks - This month Jessica Nguyen will be joining us to discuss her honours thesis on sea urchin predation in Sydney and Dr Elisabeth (Libby) Tondl is going to share on a scuba diver's nightmare - bad fills!
Plus a heap of ocean events this month:
1–31 March 2025 - The whole of March is the inaugural Sydney Coast Hope Spot Marine Bioblitz - follow the link to join the iNaturalist project and upload the wildlife you encounter in and around the water.
6-7th March - Ocean film festival at Hayden Orpheum in Cermorne
12th March - Ocean film festival at The Ritz in Randwick
14th March, 5.30 PM Abbey's Bookstore, 131 York St, Sydney (opposite Town Hall) - The Sydney launch of Ultimate Dive Sites, authored by 'Dive Scout' Todd Thimios (and edited by Diveplanit's Deb Dickson-Smith). Drinks and nibbles as Todd shares insights into his incredible career in the dive industry
15-16th March ADEX OZTek advanced dive conference, Sydney International Convention and Exhibition Centre, come and see our partners Gordon's Bay Scuba Dive Club at their stall and enjoy specially curated programs and festivities designed to inspire a passion for the ocean
22-23rd March The Ocean Lovers Festival in Bondi
28-29th March The Waverley BioBlitz - we will have a stall and be running boat dives to the Waverley area if the conditions allow. Sign up for the dives in the usual way on the spreadsheet - it will be a longer day as there is further to travel.
5th April - advance notice Bunnings - please sign up to contribute a few hours here.
Dive Log and Oz Diver
Boat Dives
Boat dives are organised most weekends from the St George Motor Boat Club Marina in San Souci. Check https://www.urgdiveclub.org.au/dive-calendar and Facebook for dates and conveners to book onto dives.
Boat handling lessons.
Get in touch if interested
Editors Note
Published Items. The opinions expressed in the “URG Bulletin” are not necessarily those held by members, or the committee of the URG Dive Club. All material published in the URG Bulletin will remain the property of the original author or artist. Please give acknowledgement when citing articles.
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