Sea Slug Census Project Background and research papers
Did you know sea slugs make very good indicators of climate change because they are highly visible, have short lives, and are (relatively) easy to identify?
Despite their uninspiring common name, sea slugs probably arouse more passion among scuba divers than many other animal groups with nudibranch images posted to social media sites and dominating many post-dive conversations. Most sea slugs are highly colourful, not very mobile, and plentiful in the Port Stephens area; so why not join in and record the variety of species within The Bay and at other identified sites?
In December 2012, CHUG joined forces with Southern Cross University's National Marine Science Centre (NMSC) and Underwater Volunteers of NSW to research the important role community volunteers, in this case scuba divers, snorkelers and rockpoolers, can play in recording and identifying sea slug diversity within Nelson Bay and Swansea.
The Nelson Bay Sea Slug Census celebrated its 10th anniversary in December 2023; and while some thought the novelty may wear off, the enthusiasm of participants continues to grow. Almost 280 individuals (scuba divers, snorkelers and rockpoolers) have participated with an average of 32 participants per census. Over 9000 photos have been submitted of 295 different species. Included in this species count 40+ species who had not been previously recorded in the area.
Many other locations across Australia, and further afield in Indonesia and Vanuatu have since joined the Sea Slug Census program.
Upcoming census' dates
34th Nelson Bay Sea Slug Census March 2024 35th Nelson Bay Sea Slug Census September 2024 (date TBA) 7th Swansea Sea Slug Census December 2024 (date TBA) 36th Nelson Bay Sea Slug Census December 2024 (date TBA)
Research It is well recognised that passionate, informed volunteer scuba divers (citizen scientists) can contribute valuable information to document the biodiversity of the world's oceans and consequently help promote their sustainable management. Three scientific papers have been published from the census data. In addition the census program has been showcased in presentations on citizen science at the Molluscs 2015 conference in Coffs Harbour, and at the Hunter Aquatic Research Seminar 2016 in Lake Macquarie.
Nimbs M, Larkin M, Davis TR, Harasti D, Willan RC, Smith SDA (2016). Southern range extensions for twelve heterobranch sea slugs (Gastropoda: Heterobranchia) on the eastern coast of Australia. Marine Biodiversity Records 9:27.
Nimbs M, Willan RC, Smith SDA (2016). Is Port Stephens, eastern Australia, a global hotspot for biodiversity of Aplysiidae (Gastropoda: Heterobranchia)? Molluscan Research.
Smith, SDA., & Davis, TR. (2019). Slugging it out for science: Volunteers provide valuable data on the diversity and distribution of heterobranch sea slugs. Molluscan Research, 39(3), 214-223.