Download Hooked On - Julian Rocks

Hooked on …
Byron Bay
photography by John Natoli
Acknowledgments
This book has been made possible with the encouragement, assistance and support of the following groups.
Cape Byron Marine Park
Marine Parks Authority, New South Wales
Tallow Beach Road, Bryon Bay NSW 2481
Ph: 02 6620 9300
Sundive Byron Bay Pty. Ltd.
Mr. Giacomo (Giac) Cavazzini
Shop 8 Middleton St, Byron Bay NSW 2481
Ph: 02 6685 7755
Tim and Wandy Hochgrebe
Organisers of Byron Underwater Festival - 02-66809134
Planula B&B and Divers Retreat - 02-66809134
Planula Video - 02-66809134 Stockists of Ikelite Underwater Systems
Dive Around Australia
Mr. Kieren Curry
www.divearound.com.au
E: [email protected]
Published by John Natoli & Associates Pty Ltd
PO Box 7, Mermaid Beach Qld 4218
All photographs have been shot at Julian Rocks, Byron Bay by John Natoli.
Photographs of John Natoli are shot by Andrew Green.
Further photographs, including fish I.D., can be found on ...
www.julianrocks.net
www.NatoliUnderwater.com
All rights reserved; no part may be scanned, photocopied, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including recording or
storage in any information retrieval system, digitally photographed without permission of the publisher. All Photographs copyright © John Natoli 2008
situated within the Cape Byron Marine Park in northern NSW, on the east coast of Australia.
Significance of Julian Rocks
Julian Rocks is located just two and a half kilometers off shore form the beach at Byron Bay and is one of Australia’s premier
dive locations. The rocks are one of the oldest geological features in the NSW Northern Rivers Region and have been a place of
cultural significance to Aboriginal people from the area for thousands of years.
Julian Rocks is located in the Eastern Overlap Zone where the warm waters of the East Australian Current flowing from the north
converge with the cooler waters from the south. Consequently, the waters surrounding Julian Rocks support a rich diversity of
tropical and temperate plants and animals including over 500 species of fish, 114 species of molluscs, 100 species of marine
algae, and 30 species of corals. These waters also support a number of protected or threatened species including grey nurse
shark, estuary cod, black cod, Queensland groper and sea turtles.
The rocks themselves are an important nesting ground and roosting site for several shorebirds and seabirds of regional and
migratory significance and were gazetted as a Nature Reserve in 1961. Efforts to protect the marine environment surrounding
Julian Rocks have included the declaration of the Julian Rocks Aquatic Reserve in 1982 which prohibited spearfishing and
collecting from 500m around the rocks, the establishment of moorings to limit anchor damage, and gazettal of the Cape Byron
Marine Park Zoning Plan in 2006 which established a sanctuary (“no-take”) zone for 700m around the rocks.
In this book John Natoli has beautifully captured some of the inhabitants of the
waters surrounding Julian Rocks and the NSW Marine Parks Authority and the
Department of Environment and Climate Change are proud to be associated with
it’s production.
Andrew Page - Manager Cape Byron Marine Park Authority
NSW Dept Environment & Climate Change
Sharks
Grey Nurse Shark (protected species)
The grey nurse sharks can be seen at a number of sites along
the NSW and southern Queensland coasts. They are usually
found in sandy gutters and rocky caves from about 15 - 40m.
At Julian Rocks, Grey Nurses have been sighted in all months
but the best chance of seeing them is in winter, when the
water temperature is below 22oC.
Listed as a critically endangered species on the Australian
east coast.
Leopard Shark
Leopard sharks are summer visitors to Julian Rocks,
and are occasionally seen at the reefs. They are most
often observed between January and April or when the
water temperature is above 22oC. They are usually seen
in swimming in mid-water or sometimes resting on the
bottom, and seem friendly towards divers.
rays
White-spotted guitarfish
Despite their shark like appearance, being
grey with 2 large dorsal fins, guitarfish are
harmless.
Bull Ray
There are a 5 species of large round stingrays,
which are all known locally as bull rays. They
are all dark with a light underside.
White-spotted Eagle Ray
White spotted eagle rays are unmistakable. They have exceptionally
long whip like tails which may be 2 or 3 times the body length or
up to 8m. There is a poisonous spine near the base of the tail. They
have distinct heads and a duck like beak. They have a diamond
shaped body which is dark with well defined white spots. The body
can be up to 3m wide but are usually smaller.
turtles
Green Turtle
Green Turtles, having been rescued in the past,
are tagged and released back into the ocean.
FISH
“I am constantly
amazed at
the diversity
of marine
life at Julian
Rocks. From
the sharks, to
pelagics and
various species
of anemone fish
... through to
the numerous
species of
nudibranchs,
Julian Rocks
provides
a prolific
concentration of
marine life - big
and small, all in
one location.”
Emperor Angelfish
Half-circled Angelfish
Half-circled Angelfish
Angelfish
Lemon Peel
Reef Check Australia
Creative Visions of the Reef
- 2007 Highly Commended
John Natoli
What is the image of?
A juvenile Three-spot Dascyllus alone in this wonderful golden anemone
keeping guard ... as he should. These tiny fish are jet black with one white
spot on each side and one on the head. Adults are more grey and the
spots less distinct. Juveniles are often found in groups among anemones
or urchins, adults are usually in pairs but this little fella was ‘all alone’.
Story about the image?
The image highlights the best-known relationship in the reef i.e. the
relationship between the anemone and the anemone fish. Anemone fish can
be overtly territorial, in particular where any threat to their host anemone is
concerned, but they are largely regarded by humans as being cute.
Conservation Fact/Status/Comment?
Anemone fish, like the Three-spot Dascyllus, have become hugely popular
particularly amongst children since the movie “Finding Nemo”. Unfortunately,
their popularity has created a booming trade in the poaching of these little
guys to supply the aquarium industry. Sadly, many anemone fish meet
an early end through rough handling, transport and difficulties in general
acclimation.
Home Alone
Tiny Three-spot Dascyllus
all alone in this wonderful
golden anemone keeping
guard ... as he should.
Headband Humbug
Anemonefish
... also commonly known as the Clownfish
Blue-lip Anemonefish
Barrier Reef Anemonefish
Clownfish live in a symbiotic relationship with sea
anemones, with most being highly host specific.
The clownfish feeds on undigested matter which
otherwise potentially could harm the sea anemone.
In addition to providing food for the clownfish,
the sea anemone also provides safety due to its
poison.
Clownfish and certain damselfish are the only
species of fishes that can avoid the potent poison
of a sea anemone.
Sea Anemone
White-streaked Grubfish
Juvenile yellow moon wrasse
Hawkfish
Exotic Fish
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Painted frogfish
Clown Triggerfish
Red Indian Fish
Yellow Boxfish
Lionfish
Ornate Ghost Pipefish
Leafscorpion Fish
Silver Trevally
Christmas Tree Worm
Tube Worm
Orange Tube Coral
Southern Silver Drummer
Painted Sweetlips
Estuuary Cod
Jewfish (Mulloway)
MORAY EELS
Abbotts Moray
White Eyed Moray
Giant Moray
Green Moray
Spanish Dancer
Giant forms of the Spanish Dancer exist in
Indonesia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea but
these are generally only observed at night.
Nudibranchs
Nudibranchs are soft or firm bodied slugs. The majority
have externally rear positioned gills, some have their gills
along each side of the body beneath the mantle edge. The
head generally has two rhinophores.
Shape and ornamentation is extremely diverse, ranging from
smooth, firm, flat ovals to long skinny serpent-like slugs.
Size is variable, ranging from a few millimetres to around
300mm.
Many species are so well camouflaged that detection is
difficult, others appear to mimic their food source and may
be discreet and inconspicuous.
In contrast, the brightly coloured flamboyant species
blatantly advertise their presence to visual predators as a
warning deterrent.
Variable Aphelodoris
Splendid Chromodoris
A pair of Bennett’s hypselodoris - mating
Tiled Hypselodoris
Magnificent Ceratosoma
Risbecia Godeffroyana
Glossodoris averni
Fine lined Nembrotha
Laboute’s Noumea
Emma’s Hypselodoris
Variable Aphelodoris
Collingwood’s Chromodoris
Ceratosoma Sinuatum
Pustulose Phyllidiella
Nembrotha Guttata
Denison’s Dendrodoris
Atagema Intecta
Ocellate Phyllidia
Sweet Dorid
Spotted Hypselodoris
Geometric Chromodoris
Slender Roboastra
Scribbled Doriopsilla
Noumea varians
Chromodoris Fidelis
Maritime Hypselodoris
Leopard Chromodoris
Phyllodesmium Poimdimiei
Tryon’s Risbecia
Solitary hydroids, Ralpharia Magnifica.
The solitary hydroids, Ralpharia Magnifica, look like a bed of flowers, although
they are actually animals. The mouth is in the centre of the “flower”. Ralpharia
magnifica is a food source for the Blue Dragon nudibranch.
Black Margined Glossodoris
Obscure Hypselodoris
Festive Mexichromis
Funeral Pyre
Gold Spotted Chromodoris
Angas’s Glossodoris
Blue Dragon, Serpent Pteraeolidia
Yellow Noumea
Black Spot Jorunna
Chromodoris reticulata
Chromodoris tinctoria
Red Lined Flabellina
CEPHALOPODS
Octopus, Cuttlefish and Squid
The Day Octopus, Octopus
cyanea, is so called because
it most active during the day.
It has a range of colours and
textures, which can change
rapidly. In some colour states
there appears to be a false eye
at the tentacle base. The dark
brown tentacle tips have two
irregular rows of white spots.
Squid
Deadly venom!!!
Squid Eggs
Blue-ringed Octopus
Day Octopus, Octopus cyanea
The blue ringed octopus eats small fish, crustaceans and shellfish. It uses a toxin to paralyse its prey. It is not usually aggressive towards humans
but if provoked the rings glow neon blue when the animal is irritated. It will bite and inject its powerful nerve toxin, which can be fatal.
This species matures quickly and is short lived. The males die after mating. The females carry the fertilised eggs around with them, under their
arms for about 6 months. When the eggs hatch the female dies.
Cuttlefish have
an oval body
supported by a
cuttlefish bone
which is used
to regulate
buoyancy by
pumping liquid
into the tiny
chambers within
it. There are
narrow fins
around the
edge of the
body. They
have a relatively
large head,
which is partly
fused with the
body, 8 short
arms plus two
long tentacles
Cuttlefish
swim close to
the bottom in
search of prey.
Reaper Cuttlefish, Red Cuttle
Cuttlefish Eggs hidden beneath a ledge
Mantis Shrimp
Mantis shrimp have very large and
complex eyes and are believed to
have excellent colour vision. They
are renowned for the strength of their
front claws and can smash their way
out of fish tanks. Mantis shrimp build
burrows from small pieces of rock,
coral or shell.
SHRIMPS & CRABS
Sally lightfoot crab
sally longlegs, flat rock crab
The sally lightfoot crab has a very
flat body, long legs and conspicuous
red eyes. Males have larger claws
than females.
Porcelain (anemone) Crab
Porcelain crabs are often found
in pairs on anemones. They are
cream or brown with red blotches.
Males are usually bigger than
females. Porcelain crabs are filter
feeders
Orang utan Crab
The Orang Utan Crab is a small decorator
crab. It is covered in red hair. It is more
common in Indonesia & the Philippines - it
is rare at Julian Rocks
Amboin Cleaner Shrimp
Hinge-beak Shrimp
Harlequin Shrimp
Small Umbrella Shell
Ornate Ghost Pipe-fish
Red-lined Bubble Shell
Eastern Blue Groper (Protected Species)
Lionfish
Blotched Hawkfish
Blue-band Goby
Juvenile Clown Triggerfish
Leaf Scorpionfish
Leopard Blenny
Eastern Smooth Boxfish
Round-belly Cowfish
The Round-belly Cowfish is yellowish to brown
with dark markings. The body cross section is
roughly square with convex sides. Cowfish have
a pair of small “horns” on the head
Big-eye Trevally, Big-eye Jack
Bluefin Trevally
Blue tang
Coral Cod
Diving at Julian Rocks, Byron Bay
with When first arriving at Byron Bay on that cold wintery July morning in
2003, I was greeted by the team at Sundive with a warm smile ...
and I have continued to dive with the Sundive team, led by Giac
Cavazzini, ever since.
Their safe and reliable service has always impressed me. But
moreso, their willingness to share their knowledge of Julian Rocks
and the marine life that inhabits this superb dive location has helped
me enormously enjoy my passion for underwater photography.
Committed to Customer Service and Safety since 1988
Sundive Byron Bay Pty. Ltd.
Daily dive and snorkel trips to
Julian Rocks Marine Park.
1800 008 755
www.sundive.com.au
When first arriving at Byron Bay on that cold and wintery July morning in 2003, I was greeted by the team at Sundive with a warm smile...
and have continued to dive with the Sundive team, led by Giacomo Cavazzini ever since.
Their safe and reliable service has always impressed me. But moreso, their willingness to share knowledge of Julian Rocks
and the marine life that inhabits this superb dive location has helped me enormously enjoy my passion for underwater photography.
Customer service and safety since 1988
Freecall 1800 008 755
www.sundive.com.au
THANK YOU
I would like to thank those who have encouraged me
and financially contributed support to get this project
off the ground ... and into your hands.
underwater australasia
underwater.com.au
02-66809410
Sundive Byron Bay Pty. Ltd.
www.sundive.com.au
1800 008 755
Marine Parks Authority
www.mpa.nsw.gov.au
02 6620 9300
Planula B&B and Divers Retreat
planula.com.au
02-66809134
Byron Underwater Festival
underwaterfestival.com.au
02-66809134
© John Natoli 2008
www.NatoliUnderwater.com
Planula Video
planulavideo.com
02-66809134