Come and join one of Victoria's BIGGEST citizen science projects - The Great Victorian Fish Count!
Every year the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) ask anyone and everyone to take part in a fish census. This year SOEL, with help from our partners at Sea All Dolphin Swims, are hosting three fish census events at Popes Eye, part of the Port Philip Heads Marine National Park. Popes Eye is well known as one of the most biodiverse areas in the bay. We aim to capture some of that data to help protect it.
The Great Victorian Fish Count first launched in 2002. The data is uploaded to the Atlas of Living Australia as part of a long term monitoring of Victorian species while improving our knowledge of those species and their habitat.
We will be heading out with everything you need to take part in the census on Sunday 19th November 2023 at 12pm-1:30pm to record as much data as possible. We will snorkel at Popes Eye and record what fish we see on a slate using fish ID cards as well as noting any unusual fish. Dont worry, you don't need to be a fish wizz for this!
The trip will include fish ID cards, a slate to record what you see, transport by boat to Popes Eye and a qualified instructor to watch over you. Wetsuits, masks, snorkels and fins are all available for hire on the day.
Jump onboard this feel good adventure and be a marine scientist for the day.
When: Sunday 19/11/23 12pm-1:30pm.
Where: Meet at Sea All Dolphin Swims, Shop 3, Building 6 Queenscliff Harbour for a boat tour to Popes Eye
How much: $40 for non-members, $20 for members
What to bring: Bathers, towel, snorkelling equipment & wetsuit (if you don't have snorkelling gear or wetsuit, we have equipment available to rent)
Please note that in case of bad weather the back up date for this event is Sunday 26/11/2023.
