Archive for the ‘Ningaloo Wildlife’ Category
November 28th, 2011 by Helen
There is very exciting news this week for the Exmouth Game Fishing Club.
The annual Gamex tournament at Exmouth will this coming March 2012 be part of the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) Great Marlin Race. The Great Marlin Race is a partnership between IGFA and the USA’s Stanford University that pairs recreational anglers with cutting-edge science to learn more about the basic biology of marlin and how they utilise the open ocean habitat. The goal of the program is to deploy 50 pop-up archival tags (PAT) in marlin at billfish tournaments around the world each year, and a limited number of these tags will be available to Gamex anglers, with the tournament running from March 9-17. Gamex and Exmouth is the ONLY Australian Tournament and location that has been chosen for 2012. (We feel very privileged!!) This effort will increase understanding of distribution, population structure and biology of marlin and engage anglers and the general public in the research process.
By increasing the understanding of where these animals go and how they use the pelagic ecosystem, it will provide valuable information to the resource managers and policy makers responsible for ensuring their long-term conservation. One hundred and twenty days after each tag is deployed, it automatically releases itself from the fish and transmits information such as the fish’s path, depth profiles, and sea temperatures to earth-orbiting ARGOS satellites. Tag sponsors, anglers and the general public will be able to view the migration routes of tagged marlin through Google Earth-enabled maps on the Great Marlin Race website where pop-up tag locations and animal tracks are displayed.
The subsidised cost of each tag is $4000. The marlin, and sponsor, whose tag travels the farthest of all 50 tags will be recognised at the annual IGFA International Auction and Banquet in January 2013, while the angler who tags the winning fish in the Exmouth leg of the 2011/12 Great Marlin Race will receive a free five-year membership to EGFC and free entry to Gamex 2013.
The Exmouth Game Fishing Club believes it is fantastic opportunity to place Exmouth firmly on the international game fishing map and to support scientific research and marlin conservation. To sponsor a tag email Exmouth Game Fishing Club at secretary@egfc.com.au, with tags sold on a first come, first served basis. For more information visit go to http://igmr.igfa.org .
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Posted by Helen Tags: ARGOS satellites, Bluewater Tackle, conservation, Exmouth Game Fishing Club, Exmouth WA, Fishing Report, Gamex, Great Marlin Race, IGFA, Ningaloo Reef, Stanford University
Posted in Discover Exmouth, Fishing Reports, News, Ningaloo Wildlife, Special Events | No Comments »
August 5th, 2011 by Helen
News is buzzing that the humpback whales are in abundance on the both sides of the peninsula.
Guests who have been out fishing in the gulf are telling of amazing stories of how they found themselves in such close proximity to these wonderful and often playful giants of the sea.
The humbacks are easily spotted from the town beaches and if you have binoculars even better. You can spot the gush of water that is spouted into the air when then dive and also the splash of water as their enormous tails hit the water.
So dont lament the end of Whaleshark season, embrace the start of Humpback season.
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Posted by Helen Posted in Discover Exmouth, Ningaloo Wildlife | No Comments »
July 21st, 2011 by Helen
Have been getting some rave reviews from guests lately who have been diving with the Whalesharks on the Ningaloo Reef.
Three Island Marine Charters www.whalesharkdive.com have been commented on as the most helpful, especially for novice swimmers or those who are a bit nervy getting into the water.
Ningaloo Whaleshark and Dive www.ningaloowhalesharkndive have also had some amazing reviews commenting on their professional organisation and ease of booking with the crew on the boats as apparently some of the ‘cutest’ around!
Ningaloo Blue always are consistently good operators and I am sure all the other dive companies are just as good, but all the talk from my guests is on the two mentioned at the moment.
Looks like there is only about another week of whaleshark dives to be had, but apparently the humpbacks are in abundance on the west side of the Cape, so still plenty to see.
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Posted by Helen Tags: dive operators, Humpback Whales, Ningaloo Reef, North West Cape, Whalesharks
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March 25th, 2011 by Helen
It’s a strange phenomenon to have water on the plains in Exmouth. I flew in last week and was astounded by the green everywhere, puddles on the side of the road and wildlife…I mean bugs…in plague proportions.
A week later and the plagues have subsided, the puddles are evaporating and the green grasses are finally being mowed by the residents.
However, on the way out to Bundegi Beach yesterday I was blown away by the flood plains full of water still. Such a sight for March!
Those guests arriving in the next few weeks will be greeted by a lush tropical paradise…it only gets better.
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Posted by Helen Tags: Coral Coast, Holiday accommodation, holiday homes, North West Cape, tourists
Posted in Discover Exmouth, Ningaloo Wildlife | No Comments »
September 29th, 2010 by Helen
I just got this text message through on my mobile this morning…I thought I would share it with you all…enjoy!
Hi Helen,
We just had a fabulous sunset whale watch cruise, with Ningaloo Whale Shark and Dive!! Highly recommended. Saw heaps of whales close up in a pod and also a mother teaching her calf to breach – unbelievable !!! Got burnt snorkelling at Turquoise Bay yesterday, had a fab time though. Kids and I felt like Nemo as we followed a loggerhead turtle swimming lazily while many slver fish cleaned its shell. Off to Coral Bay today with a heavy layer of sunscreen and tshirts…how attractive!! Lianne
I just love it when guests are having a great time in our wonderful Exmouth.
You can contact Ningaloo Whaleshark and Dive on:
Phone: 9949 1116 Freecall: 1800 224 060
email: info@ningaloowhalesharkndive.com.au website: www.ningaloowhalesharkndive.com.au
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Posted by Helen Tags: Accommodation, Coral Bay, Ningaloo Whaleshark and Dive, turtles, Whale sharks
Posted in Discover Exmouth, Ningaloo Wildlife | No Comments »
September 13th, 2010 by Helen
Yesterday as I was walking along the beach at ‘Graveyards Beach’ which is just after Baudin access heading south along the Exmouth Peninsula, I witnessed an amazing sight.
The turtles are in mating season and there must have been about 30 turtles all in the shallows of the surf ‘at it’! It is not a dainty exercise, rather cumbersome and awkward looking. Great to see nature at work.
Further along the beach a very large loggerhead turtle had missed the high tide deadline and was stranded on the sand. It was making a gallant effort to return to the waters and I left it alone. Unsure what to do I will make contact with the local Department of Conservation and Land Management today and get back to you all with the correct procedures for handling a beached turtle.
Sometimes nature just has to run it’s natural course.
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Posted by Helen Tags: Baudin, Department of Conservation and Land Management, Graveyards Beach, Loggerhead Turtles, Ningaloo Reef
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August 13th, 2010 by Helen
Well the word is out, the Humpback whales are off the coast of Exmouth in their droves. The Ningaloo Marine Park is awash with humpbacks on their migratory run, seen frolicking in the waters of the Exmouth Gulf.
My sources also tell me that they were surrounded recently by a pod of humpback, mummy and baby included, when they were recently fishing off the Murion Islands this week. What a treat.
Your best vantage point is from your accommodation at ‘Humpback’. The owners were very sad to leave their loved home last week to make way for our first guests, who will currently have the privilege of sitting on their own beach at the house watching the whales just meters off the beach. Apparently they keep you up at night with their song…and love frolicking !!
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Posted by Helen Tags: Accommodation, Exmouth, holiday homes, Humpback Whales, Murion Islands
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July 24th, 2010 by Helen
The beach of choice for locals after a hard days work or a hot day on the boat fishing. Just 10min drive from the Exmouthtown centre, Bundegi is blessed with perfect beach conditions.
A long sandy beach, just off the tip of the North West Cape, Bundegi Beach seems to get the least of all the wind, no matter which way it is blowing! Never crowded and family friendly, even great for the ‘well behaved’ dog.
Alot of the dive companies leave from this beach including the glass bottom boat. The Bundegi Boat ramp is a new addition to the beach and very welcome as well, cutting off alot of time when heading out to the Murion Islands.
You can often see turtles swimming in the shallows, and humpback whales swimming in the deep. Manta Rays when they are around are often seen off this beach. A true favourite and a must do when you are staying in Exmouth for your next holidays on the Ningaloo Reef.
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Posted by Helen Tags: Bundegi Beach, Exmouth WA, Humpback Whales, Manta Rays, Murion Islands, Ningaloo Reef Holidays, North West Cape, turtles
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June 2nd, 2009 by Helen
Give support to the biggest fish in the ocean
Last week in Exmouth there was a gathering of over 100 scientists and interested parties at the 3rd annual Ningaloo Research Symposium. This was held at the Novotel Ningaloo Resort.
The aim of the event is to bring together Ningaloo reef researchers, managers, stakeholders and interested community members so that the critical needs of the Ningaloo Marine Park are based on sound and accurate scientific information.
The 300km Ningaloo coral reef provides habitat for more than 500 fish, 250 coral and 600 mollusc species as well as whale sharks, humpback whales, dolphins, manta rays, turtles and dugong.
‘In our quest to save the world’s oceans let’s begin by celbrating and preserving the world’s biggest fish.” Tim Winton-Author
for more information contact www.whaleshark.org or register your support at www.ecoocean.org
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Posted by Helen Tags: coral marine life, Exmouth WA, Ningaloo Reef, Ningoo Reef Fish, Whalesharks
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April 20th, 2009 by Helen
The suns going down and its still really hot…great. Off to the beach, reef side of the peninsula for the cooling off and the wait.
I’m waiting for the mothers of the sea to come ashore to lay their eggs in dunes along the beaches of Ningaloo coastline.
It’s my favourite time of year, the best time for turtle watching. November to March we sit on the beach at dusk and wait for the slow, oh so very slow, accent of the enormous sea turtles.
They ride the waves ashore, crawl their way up the beach and dig that massive hole in the dunes.
Then with the careful supervision of a turtle guide, we lie on our tummies, inches away from the mothers and watch the eggs plop from the turtles into the nests.
Then she rests, I cry and we drive home. It is THE most amazing experience; never miss this opportunity if you are in Exmouth at this time.
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Posted by Helen Posted in Ningaloo Wildlife | No Comments »
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