Dr Vyt Garnys is a member of the 3AK 1116 AM Fishing and Boating Show on Saturday mornings. He presents articles of interest on how science is used in the marine environment and technology. It is an opportunity for CETEC to give back to the community, which supports us. Occasionally we discuss projects done by CETEC.

The marine environment is a fascinating place to the population in general. However , the greatest challenges lie in marine science. Some facts which emphasise the challenges which still face us are as follows:

• 80% of all life on Earth, presides over the ocean surface.
• The colossal squid is the largest ocean invertebrate with a mantle of 2.5 metres.
• The rotifer is the smallest ocean invertebrate at 0.001 millimetres long.
• The percentage of ocean covered by coral is 20%.
• The percentage of ocean creatures that live in coral is 25%.
• 14,000,000 hectares of coral has been destroyed in the past century. Coral Reef grows at between 1 to 20 centimetres per year.
• The number of new fish species discovered every year is about 300.
• The tallest seaweed is the giant kelp and 60 metres.
• There are about 10,000 different types of seaweed.
• There are 58 species of seagrass. Australian seagrass covers more than 51,000 square kilometres, with the highest diversity in the world.
• Grey Whales complete an annual 20,000 kilometre round trip from the Arctic Mexico.
• Sperm Whales can dive 2,000 metres below the surface.
• There are about 25,000 species of ocean fish. 1500 new fish species have been discovered in Australian waters in the past decade.
• 50% of the world's sharks and rays live in Australian waters.
• Tuna spawns 15 million eggs at one time, but is only 10% of the 1960 population off the east coast of Australia.
• The sail fish can reach up to 110 kilometres per hour.

Marine research is teaching us new concepts of physics, chemistry, mechanics, biology and animal psychology.

Preservation and study of our aquatic environment is crucial, and may hold the key to our future survival.

Cetec is committed to community support for preservation of the marine environment. To this end, Dr Garnys participates in community education through 3AK radio and support of community efforts in eradication of marine pests.