A trip down the coast

A sunny day´s vista along the Albany coast

Field site anyone? So yes, I have made it to Western Australia! And I am delighted by the crystal clear oligotrophic waters that surround me. Brrr.... yes, the Indian Ocean is cold but an energy rush runs through my body when I swim in it. Shark fear after all those attacks reported around Perth or the tingly feeling of the cold rush on my skin pores? A bit of both, but neither stops me from weekend swims in the search of new creatures, unseen by my Caribbean eyes.

Last weekend I visited Albany, a town in the southwesternmost point of Australia, featuring spectacular views, gorgeous beaches and very nice locals. Accompanying my doctoral thesis supervisor Dr. Euan Harvey to give a lecture at a local diveshop on the use of stereo-video as a survey technique for fishes, I embarked on the five hour journey south from Perth. Dr. Harvey is trying to get locals involved in monitoring fish populations around Albany, making use of easy to learn tools that can be applied by divers with a little scientific training. Hopefully the fish team will get going soon!