Sunday, October 29, 2017

Species List: 27-10-2017, downstream from the Caloundra Coast Guard boat ramp, Pumicestone Passage, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Qld

8 species sighted downstream from the Caloundra Coast Guard boat ramp, Pumicestone Passage, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Qld, 27-10-2017.

A single shallow shore entry dive by Julie, Terry, Gary and David of 90 minutes. Maximum depth 3.0 m, 23 C  water temperature and up to 2 m viz.

It has been quite awhile since we have dived the Pumicestone Passage. The tidal changes over the past week have seen the runoff from the earlier heavy rains clear up. The strong wind helped in that it reduced the boating traffic in the passage. There are some seagrass areas on the slope down to the channel that deserve a closer look however this time we explored the shallows and jetty pylons.  The silt under some of the jetties and pontoons is very fine and thick and some large stonefish were observed buried with just their mouths exposed. The run in tidal flow continued for at least an hour and a half longer than we expected.

Number of species sighted
* Species with highest specimen count

Elysia maoria -1
* Goniobranchus daphne -3
Goniodoridella sp. 1 -2
* Hypselodoris obscura -3
Phyllodesmium opalescens -1
* Pteraeolidia semperi -3
Tenellia sp. 29 -1
Tenellia sp. 32 -2

Predive discussion

The site

Pteraeolidia semperi

Tenellia sp. 32

Substrate under a jetty

Goniobranchus daphne

Goniodoridella sp. 1

Hypselodoris obscura

Phyllodesmium opalescens

Tenellia sp. 29

Elysia maoria