News Release 10th July, 2009
Marine park ranger Sallyann Gudge snorkels
in her office – the Lord Howe Island Marine Park
Lord Howe Island Marine Park attracts international documentary makers
Lord Howe Island Marine Park ranger Sallyann Gudge went national last weekend on the fishing show IFISH and may soon be going global!
Sallyann was recently interviewed by the host of the show Paul Worsteling. Paul and his crew stayed on the island for over a week, exploring the amazing recreational fishing opportunities in the Lord Howe Island Marine Park.
Channel 10 aired the program last Saturday and Sallyann says she’s been fielding calls ever since!
Praise for the recreational fishing in the marine park was – like the fish - thick on the ground, or the water as the case may be.
In IFISH’s online promotion Paul highlighted the diversity and number of fish in the marine park saying “with the recent introduction of a marine park, Lord Howe Island remains solely the preserve of recreational anglers, and the abundance of fish is incredible”.
Sallyann agrees there’s no place like Lord Howe Island and the Lord Howe Island Marine Park.
She says next week a French film production crew from the award winning television program Thalassa arrive on the island to film a Lord Howe Island documentary for the series.
Thalassa documents all aspects of the sea, including, geography, ecology, fishing, transportation and yachting and is one of the longest running French TV series – it is also shown in other parts of Europe.
Sallyann says she’s not surprised the French film crew are interested in Lord Howe.
“Lord Howe Island Marine Park is a special and unique place to work. With over 500 species of fish and a diverse mix of tropical and temperate species, the diving and snorkelling opportunities are abundant and continue to amaze me.
“One of the best aspects of my role here is undertaking a wide variety of marine research, and working with the local community on monitoring and education projects. I also love diving around Balls Pyramid and working from our 8.5 metre patrol boat that has to be one of the best ‘offices’ in the world!”
Sallyann has worked in various marine parks around Australian for over 10 years, from Moreton Bay Marine Park in Queensland to Ningaloo Marine Park in Western Australia and with a passion for the ocean and marine life Sallyann has a never ending energy to work on all the various projects around Lord Howe Island - including showing off the park to TV film crews!Antonia Liosatos
Snr Public Affairs
Department Environment & Climate Change
0418 820 504
02 6495 5024