Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary by blinkings
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Description
This 115 hectare sanctuary is located off Beaumaris in Melbourne's southeast. The series of sandstone rock platforms extending from the shore create a diverse marine environment that is readily accessible to visitors. The high diversity of marine habitats within a small area provides a fantastic opportunity for scientific research, education, and also recreation. Any form of fishing in this area is prohibited.
The diversity of habitats at Ricketts Point is what makes this Marine Sanctuary so interesting. The sanctuary includes rocky (sandstone) intertidal and subtidal habitats, sandy beaches and subtidal soft substrates, with offshore reefs displaying a high diversity of flora and fauna. Near the shore, the rocks are covered in green and red algae that shelter a myriad of smaller creatures, including tiny brittlestars, bristle worms and crustaceans. The soft seafloor is covered in patches of green seagrass or bunches of seaweed attached to small rocks.
Further offshore rock bommies are carpeted in green Caulerpa, or tall brown Sargassum seaweed, which hides numerous animals amongst its stiff dissected leaves. The offshore rocks and ledges attract fish too, including schools of Southern Hulafish, and occasional wrasse and Victorian Scalyfin. Cryptic weedfish and shrimp can be found amongst the algae. There are also plenty of the deadly Blue Ringed Octopus around too!
Comments (16)
durleybeachbum
Apart from the blue-ringed octopus it sounds idyllic! A lovely shot.
blinkings
Haha you would have to reeeeely go looking for them to find one though. They are super shy and rarely ever show themselves......which is good! You are more likely to get struck by lightning than get stung by one!
micturn
Taken at just the right time of day, really nice
Pagrin
What I like about your images, is that you often prove the phrase "A picture is worth a thousand words."
Crabbycabby
Beautiful lighting.
cfulton
Reminds me of my childhood, holidays spent searching the rock pools for inhabitants. Brilliant! Clive
Sea_Dog
Beautiful place - well done.
tennesseecowgirl
Wonderful capture.
Faemike55
Very beautiful area. I'm glad that they made it a sanctuary
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend.
npauling
A beautiful capture with super colouring and wonderful clarity.
Richardphotos
very beautiful seascape.
jocko500
lovely place
beachzz
I was all set to take a little swim when you mentioned the deadly blue octopus~~think I'l pass. This is a beautiful place.
Chipka
I kinda wanna see one of those octopus guys now! Not up close and in person, but still. As for this shot: it's perfect! I can easily imagine zillions of stories taking place on a world that looks a lot like this (octopi? octopuses?) included. Stunning colors, and I love the little upthrusts. Really super!
danapommet
Beautiful capture of this peaceful spot. Dana