A Sea Slug Census has been organised by the Atlas of Life.
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The census will happen in the region over two weekends from Eden to Tathra, around Bermagui and up to Narooma and further north.
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 census participants might find a species new to science and have it named after them.
Atlas of Life is inviting people to explore the far south coast to search for these tiny and beautiful creatures.
Atlas of Life is a scientific hub with a community that explores, learns and records the coastal wilderness that stretches from around Narooma in NSW to Lakes Entrance in Victoria.
Census participants will be able to share what they find 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,” said Atlas of Life spokeswoman Libby Hepburn. “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.
“We are suggesting divers and snorkelers and rock poolers and coastal walkers share what they see over the census days.
“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 on Saturday, April 1 at 8am at the beach car park for about two hours.
Sam Nerrie will be leading a rockpool search at Shelley Beach, Eden, also on Saturday, April 1, at 7.30am.
Meet Jenny Edwards at Australia Rock at Narooma at 12.30pm on Sunday, April 9.
Numbers are limited, so please reserve your places.
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.
The organisers are also inviting everyone to bring their images to the Merimbula Wharf Restaurant from 2pm to 4pm on either the Saturday or Sunday, download them, have coffee and cake and see what others have found, see videos of nudibranchs and explore the ID resources they have.
