Hercules club or cone shells

This video from the Coastwatch vault is part of a series with naturalist Neville Coleman on marine creatures found in Moreton Bay.

It’s about Hercules club shells, which are more commonly known as cone shells. After the creatures that live in the shells have died, they become protective homes for hermit crabs.

While we worry about protecting big creatures like whales and sharks, we often overlook the smaller creatures down the food chain, like these cone shells, which are just as important in a healthy marine environment.

Sea Snails

This video from the Coastwatch vault is part of a series with naturalist Neville Coleman on marine creatures found in Moreton Bay.

It’s about Sea Snails, those little critters that leave trails in the sand down near the waters edge as they seek out pippies to drill through their shell and feed on.

Neville also shows us their eggs, which almost everyone thinks are a kind of jellyfish. It’s the little creatures like this that create the diversity in our marine environment.

Fiddler crabs

This video from the Coastwatch vault is part of a series with naturalist Neville Coleman on marine creatures found in Moreton Bay.

It’s about Fiddler Crabs, those little crabs with a big red claw and eyes that are sit on the end of antennae.

It’s these little things that we so often see, yet have no idea what they are, that we need to be aware of and understand if we are to continue to have a healthy and diverse marine environment in the future.

Sand Bubbler Crabs

This video from the Coastwatch vault is part of a series with naturalist Neville Coleman on marine creatures found in Moreton Bay.

It’s about Sand Bubbler Crabs, the little critters who leave small perfectly formed balls of sand placed in intricate patterns on our beaches and sand flats.

It’s these little things that we so often see, yet have no idea what causes them, that we need to understand if we are to continue to have a healthy and diverse marine environment in the future.

Razor clams

This video from the Coastwatch vault is part of a series with naturalist Neville Coleman on marine creatures found in Moreton Bay.

It’s about Razor Clams, which are large bi valves found on the sandy flats in eastern Moreton Bay, particularly at the southern end of Moreton Island around the Blue Hole and Days Gutter.

Razor Clams burrow into the sand, leaving only the top very sharp part of the shell exposed, which inflicts a nasty wound if they are inadvertently stood on in bare feet.

Pippies

This video from the Coastwatch vault is another in a series on marine creatures done by Neville Coleman and is about a creature we often see on surf beaches and use for bait, pippies.

Neville is a committed naturalist and has a great knowledge and understanding of the marine environment.

Learning how the little creatures we see around our coast fit into the big picture, is a big step toward making sure that marine environment stays healthy and diverse.

Soldier crabs

This video from the Coastwatch vault is one of a series on marine creatures done by Neville Coleman and is about those very familiar little creatures so often seen on sand flats, soldier crabs.

Neville is a committed naturalist and has a great knowledge and understanding of the marine environment.

Learning how the little creatures we see around our coast fit into the big picture, is a big step toward making sure that marine environment stays healthy and diverse.

Grey nurse sharks

This Clint Hempsall creature feature is on grey nurse sharks. It features tips for divers to better enjoy interaction with these somewhat docile creatures, who for many years were blamed for shark attacks and during the 60’s, were mercilessly hunted and shot by divers with power heads.

Research has since shown that they will only bite if provoked and changing attitudes to managing our marine environment now sees them protected in an attempt to build their numbers back to what they were years ago.

Close encounters

This Clint Hempsall video is about the need to be as stealthy as possible when you are diving so you have closer encounters with the creatures you are swimming with.

This is particularly important if you are interested in underwater water photography or shooting video.

Clint has mastered the art of being there, without creating any fuss, which is why he has been able to shoot award winning video footage and photos for Coastwatch and his own production company, Sea Image www.seaimage.com.au

Luderick

This Clint Hempsall Creature Feature is a species of fish called luderick or black fish.

They are mostly herbivores, grazing on weed growing on rocks and in eel grass beds. During the winter months, they school up around rocky headlands and rivers mouths for spawning.

It’s at this time they are keenly sought by anglers who specialise in catching them using long soft action rods, centre pin reels, floats and green weed for bait. Luderick are good eating if skinned when filleted.

About bream

Dr Barry Pollock worked for Queensland DPI & Fisheries for many years and is considered to have forgotten more about bream, than most of us will ever know about them.

He studied bream for years, understands their biology, movements and behaviour and probably because he knows so much about them, is very good at catching them.

So all you bream anglers who want to know more about your quarry, study this video, I’m sure you will find some very handy information.

Sparidae

This Clint Hempsall Creature Feature from the Brownies Coastwatch Vault is on the family of fish known as Sparidae, of which bream, tarwhine and snapper are members.

These species are regularly caught by anglers and it’s worth looking at it to learn more about them.

Clint’s Creature Features are ideal to show to kids who are interested in coastal life and want to learn more about it.

Stingrays

This Clint Hempsall creature feature is on stingrays, a creature often encountered by divers and anglers, which can be extremely dangerous if stood on or provoked.

This fact was sadly highlighted in 2006 when wildlife warrior Steve Irwin died after being struck in the chest by a large stingray barb while filming them.

Like most creatures in the ocean, stingrays are not predatory to humans and if you don’t get too close they are happy to leave you alone.

Nesting Turtles

This Clint Hempsall Creature Feature is on the green and loggerhead turtle nesting which takes place each year between November and March on Lady Elliot Island at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef.

Continuing research into turtle populations shows they are in decline all over the world and we need to be aware of their nesting habits and do what we can to help the species survive.

Clint’s excellent camera work and knowledge of these creatures helps raise that awareness.

Cephalopods

Squid, octopus and nautilus are in the family of animals known as Cephalopods.

This video from the Brownies Coastwatch Vault is one of Clint Hempsall’s Creature Features and Clint’s excellent camera work and knowledge of these creatures gives us an insight into how they live feed and breed.

Whaler Sharks

This is one of Clint Hempsall’s Creature Features.

Clint’s knowledge of these amazing but potentially dangerous creatures, combined with his excellent camera work makes this video worth watching if you don’t understand, or are frightened by sharks. It’s also an excellent tool for educating kids about our marine environment and the need to look after it.

Clint has won many awards for his work above and below water and continues to work as a specialist cameraman. www.seaimage.com.au

Moray eels

This Clint Hempsall creature feature is on moray eels. These beautiful creatures are often encountered by divers and although mostly friendly, can be extremely dangerous if provoked.

They can move very quickly, have powerful jaws that open very wide and sharp conical teeth.
However, if left alone and just observed, there is very little chance of having any problems with them, which is the case with all the creatures you encounter either in the ocean or on land.

Coral sea birds

This Clint Hempsall creature feature is on the birds that live and breed on the islands, cays and reefs of the Coral Sea.

These birds are very important to the marine environment as they play a major role in the formation and maintenance of islands by helping germinate flowers, and fertilising plants and spreading seeds with their droppings.

These creature features are great to show to kids who want to know more the marine environment and the creatures that inhabit it.

Sea snakes

This Clint Hempsall Creature Feature is on sea snakes, of which 32 of the world’s 52 species are found in Australian waters in habitats ranging from inshore waters to the open sea.

They breathe air from the surface and a breath can last them a few minutes if they swimm at top speed, or up to two hours if they are in a calm resting state.

They are venomous and can be aggressive if encountered when surfacing for a breath, or in the breeding season in late summer.

Emporers

This Clint Hempsall Creature Feature is on the family of fish called emperors or sweetlip.

Red throat sweetlip are target species for both commercial fishermen and recreational anglers, being considered by some to be better eating than coral trout.

Whether you catch sweetlip to eat, or observe them when diving, this video will give you a better understanding of the species and the need to manage the fishing effort targeting them. 

 

Sharks

This Clint Hempsall creature feature is about the species of sharks found in Queensland waters.
Sharks are feared, but they are an integral part of the ocean food chain, so despite them being scary for most people, we need to learn as much about them as possible if we are to keep our oceans healthy.

During his time working on Brownies Coastwatch, Clint Hempsall shot almost 300 dive site profiles and creature features. More of his work can be seen in the diving video vault.
 
 

Symbiosis

This Clint Hempsall Creature Feature from the Brownies Coastwatch Vault is about symbiosis, or the way different species interact with each other for common benefit.

It demonstrates how many small pieces fit together to make a very big and complex picture of marine life and how important each of those small pieces are.

Clint’s Creature Features are ideal to show to kids who are interested in coastal life and want to learn more about it.
You can find out more about his camera work at www.seaimage.com.au

The food chain

This Clint Hempsall Creature Feature from the Brownies Coastwatch Vault is about the all important ocean food chain.

It shows what different groups of fish and marine creatures eat and highlights the importance of maintaining the delicate balance in the world’s oceans necessary for a healthy marine environment.

Clint’s Creature Features are ideal to show to kids who are interested in coastal life and want to learn more about it.

You can find out more about Clint's camera work at www.seaimage.com.au

Queensland groper

This Clint Hempsall Creature Feature from the Brownies Coastwatch Vault is on mighty Queensland Groper. These beautiful big fish were decimated by anglers and spear fishermen in the past, but their protected status is seeing them bounce back, albeit not as prolific as they once were.

Clint’s Creature Features are ideal to show to kids who are interested in coastal life and want to learn more about it.

Lethrinidae

This Clint Hempsall Creature Feature from the Brownies Coastwatch Vault is on the family of fish known as Lethrinidae, of which sweetlip and sea bream are members.

These species are regularly caught by anglers and it’s worth looking at it to learn more about them.

Clint’s Creature Features are ideal to show to kids who are interested in coastal life and want to learn more about it.

You can find out more about his camera work at www.seaimage.com.au

Creature feature - Shells

We have all seen shells. They form the very basis of coral cays and beaches, but it’s not until you watch this Clint Hempsall Creature Feature from the Brownies Coastwatch Vault that you realise how wonderful and intricate the animals are that make and live in them.

This video is another excellent tool for educating kids about our marine environment and the need to look after it.

Clint has won many awards for his work above and below water and continues to work as a specialist cameraman. www.seaimage.com.au

Creature Feature - Manta Rays

This Clint Hempsall Creature Feature from the Brownies Coastwatch Vault on Manta Rays is another example of his ability to put himself close to marine creatures and film their natural behaviours.

These beautiful, graceful creatures are a delight to watch and this is another great video to show to kids to educate them about our marine environment and the need to look after it.