Book reveals hidden world under the bay

Alex de Vos
Armed with a cheap underwater camera and years of snorkelling experience, three university friends have put their passion to print, revealing the region’s hidden marine treasures.
Marine scientist and underwater photographer John Gaskell said the new book, which hit the shelves in November last year, was designed to inspire and educate lovers of sea life.
“It’s a coffee table book as well as a reference and educational tool for snorkellers, divers and anyone who likes animals,” Mr Gaskell said.
He said the book, Beneath our Bay: Discovering the Hidden Secrets of Port Phillip, was divided into four sections detailing underwater gems around Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay, Geelong’s Corio Bay and the Bellarine and Mornington peninsulas.
Sparked by a love of snorkelling and desire to share their passion with the world, the young men devoted three years of “hard work” to produce the unique photographic journey, he said.
“We always just snorkelled and decided to buy cheap underwater cameras to show our friends and family and they told us we should show people what’s down there,” Mr Gaskell explained.
He said the book contained images and information about 140 different animals.
“Most of the stuff we found we didn’t even know existed – there was more out there than what we thought,” he said.
“About 90 per cent of the marine life in the book is only found in southern Australian waters.”
He noted the rock pools in Point Lonsdale a highlight of their discovery.
“There are big underwater algae gardens, so many types of fish and octopus,” Mr Gaskell said.
“You can see everything by going snorkelling – it’s all under four metres deep.”