Underwater Observatory Manager, Sophie Teede, talked to Redmap about the Busselton Jetty - and unusual sightings from below the pylons!

What's the history of the Busselton Jetty and Observatory? The Busselton Jetty is the longest timber piled jetty in the southern hemisphere at 1.84km, located in Busselton WA. Originally used as a commercial port from 1865-1972, today it's a must-see tourist destination. At the end of the jetty is a unique building, an underwater observatory, where you can walk 8m down to the seafloor. There are 11 viewing windows spanning the surface waters, open and mid waters, and the sea floor. The viewing is entirely natural: the fish are not feed to attract them in any way (the structure does provide food and shelter though).

What unusual species have you logged on Redmap? The Underwater Observatory offers a very unique opportunity to view and record marine observations – so I decided our organisation should join Redmap to record the unusual species we have been seeing. The images uploaded onto Redmap have been taken from inside the observatory looking out of the windows. The batfish are a regular sighting for us, but our sighting of Big Eye Trevally and Stars and Stripes puffer are first sightings and we considered them unusual.

Most interesting fish you've seen from the Observatory: Just once, I saw a Queensland Grouper from the Observatory windows!

Have you seen any changes in marine life around the Jetty over the years?  Over the last few years we have been noticing a change in the types of fishes, and also the timings of their appearance. There are not as many Australian Herring but plenty of Australian Tailor and unusual ‘reef’ fishes have been seen.

And finally, have you got any amusing marine anecdotes? When you’re down by the sea and an eel bites your knee, that’s a moray!

Check out the Busselton Jetty here: www.busseltonjetty.com.au