Hi All, below is last Saturdays' Southport pelagic report.
Location: Southport, Queensland
Date:15/9/2012
Vessel: 37 ft monohull M.V. Grinner
Crew: Craig Newton (skipper)
Pax:
Paul Walbridge (leader & organizer), David Stewart, Jon Norling, Keith
Privett, Simon Buckell, Sohn Joo Tan, Rod Gardner, Rob Morris, Stuart
Pickering, Scott McGregor, Greg Anderson, Jeanie Churchward, Ian
Churchward, Keith Lightbody, Elliott Leach.
Weather conditions:
A ridge along the southern Queensland coast in the wake of an east
moving trough brought fairly settled conditions to south east
Queensland. Light SW winds at the Seaway early, rising to 10-15 knots SE
by mid morning, then gusting to 15-20 knots SE after midday. Generally
fine conditions with just some light, high cloud out wide with
visibility generally very good. Maximum air temperature 22* C, barometer
1020 hPa.
Sea conditions:
Light seas on a moderate swell on leaving the Seaway but with wind
swinging round to SE gradually increased to 1.5 metre seas on 2 metre
swells by mid morning. By midday some swell sets up to 3 metres. Sea
surface temps. 18.5* C at the seaway, increasing to 22.1* C at the
Shelf-break with a maximum of 23.1* C at the widest drift point.
Summary:
Left the Seaway at 0625 hrs and headed for the Riviera grounds but as
conditions deteriorated decided to commence the drift just short of
there at a known baitfish congregating are at 27 48.16S/153 53.11E, some
24 nautical miles ENE of the Southport Seaway. Crossed the Shelf-break
at 0925 hrs, reaching the final drift point at 0940 hrs. Continued to
drift in a SW direction until 1240 hrs then headed for home arriving
back at the Seaway at 1530 hrs. Duration of trip 9 hrs 5 mins.
Zero trawler activity on leaving the Seaway, so headed out over the
Shelf at a speed adapted to the conditions which, although not severe,
were deteriorating, with the SE swell starting to bump up. Very little
activity close in save for a few Crested Terns and Australasian Gannets
and the first Wedge-tailed Shearwater wasn*t sighted until a good 10
nautical miles offshore at 0745 hrs. The first surprise of the day at
0815 hrs and still well on the Shelf was a couple of dark-phase Kermadec
Petrels in close formation passing over the vessel heading north, giving
excellent but all too brief views. The first of many Providence Petrels
appeared astern of the vessel shortly afterward at 0835 hrs and still
well on the Shelf, followed by the first Wilson*s Storm-Petrel.
On reaching the drift point some miles short of the Rivieras, the
vessel was joined immediately by a Providence Petrel and the only
Great-winged Petrel for the day. By 1000 hrs the Providence Petrel
numbers had built to ten along with up to 3 Wilson*s Storm-Petrels and
a lone Wedge-tailed Shearwater. At 1025 hrs the first Short-tailed
Shearwater arrived on the scene, a lone traveller that decided to peel
off and stop for a well earned feed. This bird stayed for several
minutes offering good views close the vessel both in flight and on the
water. A few minutes later the first Cape Petrel flew in and spent some
time with us, the only Hutton*s Shearwater for the day appeared
momentarily in the slick and Wilson*s Storm-Petrel numbers had
increased to four at a time.
Providence Petrel numbers ebbed and flowed with more birds appearing
from the north and at 1125 hrs another Short-tailed Shearwater arrived
along with a lone Black-bellied Storm-Petrel, which provide reasonable
enough views for a short time. By 1155 hrs the Providence Petrel numbers
peaked at 25, along with Wedge-tailed Shearwater at 6. On heading for
home at 1240 hours a few Providence Petrels were still astern with a
further two Short-tailed Shearwaters which headed south. Crossing back
over the Shelf a single Providence Petrel was sighted well inside at
1345 hrs and at 1415 hrs a second Cape Petrel appeared astern following
the vessel for a while, just 10 nautical miles from shore, with a single
Wilson*s Storm-Petrel showing at the same time.
Species:
Wilson*s Storm-Petrel * 17 (4)
Black-bellied Storm-Petrel * 1
Cape Petrel * 2
Wedge-tailed Shearwater * 15 (6)
Short-tailed Shearwater * 4 (2)
Fluttering Shearwater * 1
Hutton*s Shearwater * 1
Kermadec Petrel * 2
Great-winged Petrel * 1
Providence Petrel * 93 (25)
Australasian Gannet * 6 (2)
Little Black Cormorant * 1
Crested Tern * 28 (10)
Cheers - Paul W.
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