Throughout history humans have been fascinated by the ocean and the mysteries of what lies beneath. The fantastical stories of sea monsters, mermaids and other strange aquatic creatures still entertain us today and have been a popular subject of art, literature and film. Dee Smart’s fascination with the underwater marine environment started when she was a young girl. She spent many happy summers with her siblings and childhood companions exploring the Aldinga Reef, 40 kilometres south of Adelaide.

After staring death in the face, Dee Smart a courageous survivor, was contemplating life as she waded through the shallow waters of Culburra beach located on the south coast of NSW. It was here she rekindled her fascination with the complex ecosystem she observed under the shallow water.