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From: Vol.10 N.01 – The Transformative Now

The Gathering

by Alex McKeown

A poetic rendering of The Reef Life Survey Methods Manual

Two divers swim along a line
they’ve laid along the ocean floor

one counts the fishes on one side
the other counts those on the other

the transect line runs 50 metres long
a 50 metre line of fibreglass

Two divers swim along a line
they’ve laid along the shallow floor

the substratum must be mostly hard
a patch of sand or silt’s acceptable

Two divers swim along a line
they’ve laid along a coral reef

the substratum must be mostly hard
an artificial reef’s acceptable

two divers choose the depth surveyed
they keep a record on a sheet

bring a slate, two pencils, paper (waterproof)
clips, camera, gps and fibreglass

note on the sheet some reference points
and their relation to the shore

two divers choose the depth surveyed
based on the waves, the time, their plans

one counts the fishes on one side
the other counts those on the other

they count the fishes that they see
within 5 metres either side

they count the fishes that they see
within 5 metres deep or high

5 metre blocks on either side
of the 50 metre transect line

they count large swimming animals
as well as fish: for instance squid

seals, octopi, and jellyfish
turtles, whales and anything as big that swims

they count those fishes that they see
they count those swimming beasts

Note

The Reef Life Survey Methods Manual can be found at www.reeflifesurvey.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/NEW-Methods-Manual_150815.pdf

Published: June 2023
Alex McKeown

is a Tasmanian poet. His chapbook of translations from the pastoral poetry of Antoinette Deshoulières was recently released by the UK’s Penteract Press. A sampling of his work can be read on his website at www.alexmckeownpoetry.com

An Australian and international
journal of ecopoetry and ecopoetics.

Plumwood Mountain Journal is created on the unceded lands of the Gadigal and Wangal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and to elders past, present and future. We also acknowledge all traditional custodians of the lands this journal reaches.

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