Residents flock to study reef life

Local residents have been flocking to Hedland’s reefs recently to study nudibranchs, sea stars and octopuses in greater numbers than ever.

This is thanks to citizen scientist Doris Koehler-Teufel spending the past month running guided walks at low tide across the reefs that skirt Hedland’s coastline, from Finucane Island to Cooke Point.

Ms Koehler-Teufel has called for more residents to join the walks this week and meet experienced WA Museum employee Shirley Slack-Smith.

Ms Slack-Smith began working at the WA Museum in 1968 and was curator of molluscs from 1971 to 2013.

This week, she will join Ms Koehler-Teufel on her regular Hedland reef walks, beginning on Sunday afternoon at Cemetery Beach.

“Whoever has some questions or just wants to get to know Shirley and how the marine biology is going on at the museum in Perth should come down, ” Ms Koehler-Teufel said.

“There may even be some muffins so (guests) get a bit of energy for the walk.”

The visit will be Ms Slack-Smith’s third to Hedland after flying up last year to help with a more thorough monitoring process of reef’s marine life.

Ms Slack-Smith and her WA Museum colleague reported at the time they were surprised by the diversity of life among Hedland’s corals.

According to local enthusiast Kay Fulton, that is the reaction everyone has after a walk along Hedland’s reef.

She said her first walk changed her view of Hedland.

“When we first came I thought Hedland was very industrialised … then I came on my first reef walk and it was another world — gorgeous, beautiful, ” she said.

“There are dangerous cone shells, blue-ringed octopus and then there are the things that are totally beautiful and can’t harm you.

“There are sharks that sometimes come in when the tide is coming back, some areas have tide pools where there will be a stingray.

“There are a lot of animals you expect to see when you are snorkelling, but in Hedland you can see them just by walking across the reef at low tide.”

Ms Fulton said her visiting cousin had been astounded by the reef.

“She has actually rearranged her holidays so she can come on all the reef walks, ” she said.

Ms Slack-Smith will join reef walks at Cemetery Beach on Sunday at 3.30pm, which will meet at the carpark next to the playground.

Come by 2pm for a chat and snack.

The next walk leaves on Monday at 3.30pm from the Lacy Street beach access, off Sutherland Street.

Meet at the boat ramp at Town Beach by 4pm for Tuesday’s walk.