Marine based citizen science engages members of the community in research and monitoring fish and habitats by providing data and observations. Doing this adds value to traditional scientific research and increases public stewardship of our marine resources by the public.
Increasing citizen science opportunities in Tasmania including collecting data and protecting habitats is an outcome of the Recreational Sea Fishing Strategy.
Listed below are fishing and marine citizen science programs around Tasmania that you can get involved in.
Tassie Fish Frame Collection Program
Recreational fishers can become citizen scientists by providing their fish frames to the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) to increase information on some species. The frames are used to assess the age and length of the fish, and the sex, maturity and breeding condition if the organs are attached. The program’s current target species are sand flathead, striped trumpeter, snapper, yellowtail kingfish and King George whiting.
Interested fishers can freeze their frames of these species, noting the date and place of capture, and drop them off at participating tackle stores all around Tasmania. More information from the
Fish Frames website and their
Facebook page.
Tuna Champions
Tuna Champions is a stewardship and citizen science program that encourages fishers to use best fishing practices for southern bluefin tuna. These include techniques for catching, handling, releasing, preserving and preparing tuna. Tuna Champions is an initiative of the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation in collaboration with the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. It is funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.
More information from the
Tuna Champions website.
Redmap
Redmap (Range Extension Database and Mapping project) is a project that invites fishers and the community to share sightings of new and uncommon marine species that they see in their local seas. Redmap uses this data to better understand which marine species are extending their distribution range in response to changes in the marine environment such as climate change.
More information from the
Redmap website.
OzFish
OzFish are involved in fish habitat rehabilitation projects across Australia. In Tasmania, projects include:
- Environmentally friendly moorings
- Saltmarsh restoration and fish sampling
- Kelp tracking and reef restoration
More information -
OzFish – Tasmania Chapter.
Reef Life Survey
The Reef Life Survey (RLS) aims to improve biodiversity conservation and the sustainable management of marine resources. This is achieved by coordinating surveys of fish and other marine life on reefs, conducted by team members and trained citizen scientist divers. This information is used to track changes and impacts on marine ecosystems over time.
See the
Reef Life Survey website.