New study into hunter's marine environment

ABC - 

Southern Cross University Researchers are recruiting recreational scuba divers as part of a new study into the impact of debris on the Hunter's marine environment.

The project is being coordinated by the University's National Marine Science Centre, with funding from the Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority.

Project officer Bob Edgar says it's hoped up to 50 divers will help collect data on marine habitats between Port Stephens and the Central coast.

He says the study will help scientists to determine the damage caused by stormwater debris and rubbish thrown overboard from ships.

"Different categories of debris can cause mortality and illnesses in many types of marine life particularly what we call benthic marine life things like the corals and sea squirts and that which are actually attached to the substrate, the bottom of the ocean and can't move," he said.

Researchers have found evidence that recreational fishing is harming soft corals off Port Stephens.

Bob Edgar says they've found that discarded fishing line is a huge problem at Nelson Bay.

"There's some beautiful soft coral gardens and they're quite extensive in Nelson Bay but you can easily go for a dive and you can find things like fishing line wrapped around these soft corals," he said.

"That fishing line can cause mortality in soft corals for example it can cause abrasions and abscesses to develop on the actual individual animals and they end up dying."

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