Lord Howe Island will host its eighth annual Sea Slug Census from February 28 to March 9. Launched at Nelson Bay, NSW in December, 2013, the Sea Slug Census program has spread across Australia, and to sites in Indonesia and Vanuatu, with more than 4,000 participants photographically documenting the distribution of over 1,100 species to date. The project has demonstrated that ‘Citizen Scientists’ can provide extensive, and very valuable data, on sea slug (nudibranchs and allies) diversity and how patterns of distribution are changing in response to climate change.
To participate takes no special knowledge, just curiosity, and a camera to photograph any sea slugs found whilst snorkelling, rock-pooling or scuba diving. The program has been a great success and was shortlisted for the 2023 Eureka Prize for Innovation in Citizen Science. Results from censuses have been presented at conferences and have been used in scientific papers, including a photographic inventory for Lord Howe Island.
At Lord Howe Island, the program is coordinated each year by Prof. Stephen Smith (Aquamarine Australia) and Ian Hutton (Lord Howe Island Museum). Many locals and visitors participate in the census, and between 61 and 107 different slug species have been found each year, with a total species count of 174 for the program. Last year, we recorded 85 species including 6 that had not been recorded in the previous 6 censuses. New species are added to the total every year, including new records for the Island and Australia. Over time, these annual records allow us to examine changes, and movements of species, that may occur with the warming of the oceans.
The survey period runs for 10 days to maximise opportunities for citizen scientists to participate. This also means there will be ample time to search in the many wonderful spots around Lord Howe. This year, the event will run over two weekends and for the five days in between.
So, keep some time free during the period from 28 February to 9 March, and visit your favourite snorkel, scuba or rockpool sites to add your sea slug images to this year’s event.
The initiator of the program, Stephen Smith, will be on the Island that week, to give a presentation at the Museum Saturday, 1st March, 9.30am, including tips on how to find, photograph and identify sea slugs. A free reef walk open to all will be conducted at Ned’s Beach also on 1st March, at 3.30pm.
