VISITORS to Bermagui’s Blue Pool now have the chance to learn about marine life they might find in the water when they go for a dip.
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Two new signs have been installed, one at the top of the steps and one at the bottom, showing photographs and information about species that can be found in the pool.
A launch was held on Sunday morning, gathering together those who had contributed to the project.
Support had come from the Sapphire Coast Marine Society, the Atlas of Life Coastal Wilderness, Bega Valley Shire Council (BVSC) and members of the community.
The project began a year ago when instigator Danie Ondinea asked the Marine Society if they were interested in supporting the creation of signs about creatures at the Blue Pool.
“I really feel these signs will help bring the focus in, so instead of being seen just as a rock pool it will be seen as a pool full of creatures,” she said.
The photographs were taken of species found in the pool by Robin and Dane Wimbush, and Mr Wimbush supplied the information on the signs along with president of the Marine Society, Michael McMaster.
The Wimbush’s have lived near the Blue Pool for 50 years, and said they have noticed an increase in tropical species in the pool in the warmer months; however these seem to die out in winter.
The signs were designed by Lois Haywood, who was inspired by using the background of the rocks at the pool as the background image for the sign, and having different colours for each species group.
“The reason we made it was to protect the environment, by education,” she said.
“If people know about what is in here, they will want to protect it.”
Funding was provided through the Council’s environmental levy, which BVSC’s coastal management officer Kyran Crane said came to roughly $3500.
“It has been great working with the local community,” he said.
“We will be using the artwork to get some fact sheets made up and dropped into the visitor’s information centre.”
Mr Crane said after the positive feedback received about these signs, Council was interested in installing similar ones at other areas along the coast in the future.