SURG News

New Birds listing on SURG website

Posted: 2 weeks 3 days ago

While we haven't been able to have any Guest Speaker nights, or hold any organised activities because of the ongoing Covid issues, we have been able to include some welcome additions on the SURG website. Bob Edgar has been diligently compiling a database of birds that we see along our section of coastline and it has been added to our Marine Database here https://www.surg.org.au/species . The links to each of the Families are listed, clicking on the link will show the species within that Family. Alternatively, click on Photographs on the menu... Read more

North Solitary Island trail plinth cleanup

Posted: 5 months 1 week ago

The successful cleaning of the plinths on the North Solitary Islands underwater trail was made possible by eight hard working SURG divers.

SURG members constructed this underwater marine interpretative trail adjacent to North Solitary Island nearly 20 years ago, in 2002.The trail contains a number of concrete plinths featuring a descriptive plaque. Each plaque describes an aspect of a certain marine feature or habitat found in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. These plinths have growth... Read more

Winners: Second Coffs Coast Sea Slug Census

Posted: 6 months 3 days ago

The winners of this second Coffs Coast Sea Slug Census were Elizabeth Hardaker taking two prizes for the most documented species found and best photograph and Craig and Alex Lewis for the most interesting species .

Elizabeth Hardaker with her prize winning photo

Best photograph judges Garry Bell and Mark Spencer found Elizabeth's photo was impressive for its composition and aspect.

Elizabeth with judges Garry Bell on left and Mark Spencer on right. Thanks to Garry and Mark for spending the time sifting through the many photos for this best... Read more

Bunnings sausage sizzle: successful fund raiser for SURG

Posted: 6 months 5 days ago

Saturday's Bunnings sausage sizzle fundraiser was a huge success despite the crazy weather with hot humid conditions turning to pouring rain just in time to pack up.

Seventeen SURG members worked tirelessly through the day to help raise over $1000. This money will give the club a chance to fund trips to the Solitary Islands to continue with our essential research and to assist in maintaining the plinths on North Solitary Islands.

Thanks to Ian and Kate who coordinated the day and helped make it such a success.

Solitary Islands Marine Park Sea Slug Census enters its second year

Posted: 6 months 3 weeks ago

The second Sea Slug Census was successfully held in the Solitary Islands Marine Park with groups going out from Arrawarra and Coffs Harbour. For the results of this Census come to the SURG meeting on the 12th February. It will be a fantastic night with awards and prizes for the best photograph, the most unusual sea slug etc.

Sea sluggers surveyed Split Solitary on the Friday in Neil Vaughan's boat, North West Solitary with seven divers on the Dive Quest boat and South Solitary with six divers on the Jetty Dive Boat.

Winds were strong during the weekend and visibility poor... Read more

A very happy Christmas for raffle winners

Posted: 8 months 1 week ago

The generous raffle prizes were the highlight of this year's SURG Christmas Party.

Daryl was the lucky winner of a double dive with Jetty Dive. Other prizes were gift vouchers from the Happy Frog and K-Pane and of course Neil's wooden carvings.

Many thanks to Mike and Debbie from Jetty Dive, Kirsty and Brett from K-Pane, the Happy Frog and Neil for the fabulous prizes and their ongoing support to SURG.

Interpretive panels installed

Posted: 10 months 10 hours ago

The final phase of the Estuarine project is now complete with four interpretive panels installed adjacent to Corindi River, Moonee Creek, Coffs Creek and Boambee Creek. These panels help inform the general public on the threats unique to each of these 4 estuaries so the visitors, residents, fishers and boating enthusiasts are able understand the issues involved at each location as well as see pictured some of the unique fauna they may encounter.

These panels have been warmly received by residents and visitors to these areas. It has been a huge effort on behalf of SURG and in... Read more

Final Estuarine Resilience report now available

Posted: 1 year 1 month ago

The final report of the Community action blueprint to enhance estuarine habitat resilience is now available. This huge project involved:

mapping seagrass beds assessing fish diversity quantifying the impact of debris and mud crab trap conducting remediation work

All these activities contributed to the development of interpretive panels and fact sheets that highlight specific threats to specific northern NSW... Read more

Marina research

Posted: 1 year 3 months ago

SURG members are continuing their research in the Coffs Coast region, this time at the Coffs Harbour marina. The research and community engagement is by:

assessment of fish and other marine biodata identified through baited underwater remote videos (BRUV) on the marine pylons a marine debris survey roving fish surveys in which pairs of divers follow the marina walls and document and identify all marine life display stand showing the public the marina habitat

This is the same methodology used in the... Read more

Annual camping trip

Posted: 1 year 5 months ago

This year's camping trip was to Illaroo Campground near Minnie Water in the Yuraygir National Park. SURG members had a great time enjoying the wildlife, the peace and quiet of the park and the opportunity to socialise with club members. Two of the more active in the group made their way to the end of a rocky headland, immersed themselves in rock pools and found some interesting sea slug specimens.

Here are some photos of the wildlife (thanks to Ian Shaw) that we saw on this trip.

A rarely seen Beach Stone Curlew

Brush Turkey

Lace... Read more

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