The upcoming Sea Slug Census will occur the first two weekends in April from Eden to Tathra and around Bermagui.
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The Atlas of Life is inviting people to explore the Far South Coast searching for these tiny and beautiful creatures and to share what they find to create an extensive record of sea slugs along the coast.
People are also invited to share their old images, to see what has been found here in the past.
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.
“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,” the Atlas of Life’s Libby Hepburn said.
“We are suggesting divers, snorkelers, 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 among seagrasses and pools. The walk will run for two hours, meet at 8am on April 1 at the beach car park.
Sam Nerrie will be leading a rockpool search at Shelley Beach, Eden at 7.30am also on April 1.
Numbers limited, so reserve your places.
The organisers invite everyone to bring their images to the Merimbula Wharf Restaurant from 2pm-4pm on April 1-2, download them, see what others have found, see videos of nudibranchs and explore the ID resources.
You can register on atlasoflife.naturemapr.org to add your sightings or historical images. To reserve your place on a walk or to email your images contact 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.
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 in Canberra.