In the past week BMYS and some members assisted several researchers from Deakin University in carrying out an investigation into the health of sand flathead in Port Phillip Bay.
This initiative was coordinated by Simon Conroy (Ex Vic Fisheries) and Club member Alby Thomas. Other members involved were George (Bushy) Schmitz and John Malempre.
The pressure was on BMYS Club members to catch a number of the target species in the Beaumaris Bay area and bring them back alive to the club fish cleaning area where the research staff would carry out a range of investigations to assess various aspects of the fish health. The fish cleaning area resembled an operating theatre on the day with live tanks, sterilised instruments and researchers dressed like operating theatre staff.
Fortunately, despite trying conditions of dense fog, no wind and fairly cold conditions the club members were able to perform and provided the researchers with about a dozen fish meeting their needs. Bushy excelled with two fish up to 50 cms in length which made the researchers day.
The Deakin University staff then put in many hours of work dissecting the fish, taking measurements and all sorts of samples for their research project.
It is hoped that on completion of their research project, a presentation will be made to club members explaining findings from the research work.
Deakin University staff were very appreciative of the support shown by BMYS and its dedicated fishos involved on the day.
