The upcoming Sea Slug Census organised by the Atlas of Life will happen in the region over two weekends from Eden to Tathra, around Bermagui and up to Narooma and further north.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The census is a collaboration between Atlas of Life and Southern Cross University, the Nature Coast Marine Group and the Lady of the Sea dive school Canberra,
Do you know what Sea Slugs are and how beautiful they are too?
More than 3000 species of sea slug have been scientifically described across the globe — at least 1000 are still undescribed so you might find a species new to science and have it named after you.
Atlas of Life is inviting people to explore our coast searching for these tiny and beautiful creatures and to share what they find with us to create an extensive record of sea slugs along the coast.
The group is also inviting people to share their historical images, so it can see what’s been found here in the past.
“Our coastal waters are changing and sea slugs are good indicators of climate change, so scientists are becoming more interested in what lives where and if the species are changing their range,” said Libby Hepburn of the Atlas of Life.
“We are suggesting divers and snorkelers and rock poolers and coastal walkers share what they see over the census days and we have organised a number of activities for everyone to learn more.”
Join Alan Scrymgeour at Spencer Park, Merimbula, to walk the estuary and look amongst the seagrasses and pools. Meet 8am Saturday, April 1 at the beach car park for approximately two hours.
Sam Nerrie will be leading a rockpool search at Shelley Beach, Eden at 7.30am also on Saturday, April 1.
Meet Jenny Edwards at Australia Rock at Narooma at 12.30pm on Sunday, April 9.
Numbers limited, so please reserve your places.
The organisers are inviting everyone to bring their images to the Merimbula Wharf Restaurant from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, download them, have coffee and cake and see what others have found, see videos of nudibranchs and explore the ID resources they have.
You can register on atlasoflife.naturemapr.org and add your sightings there, add your historical images too or email your images to libby@atlasoflife.org.au
See guidelines and discounts for divers on the Sapphire Coast Sea Slug Census Facebook page or the Atlas of Life website
