Coffs Coast records a first in the Sea Slug Census Coffs Coast Coffs Coast News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - January 31, 2022 The Coffs Coast Sea Slug Census is open to the whole community – Prof. Steve Smith’s son Owen participating in a recent census at Lord Howe Island by taking photos of all the species he found whilst snorkelling and rock-pooling. THE fourth annual Coffs Coast Sea Slug Census is on and there’s a new Australian record. To find out more News Of The Area chatted with Prof. Steve Smith, the Director of Aquamarine Australia and an Adjunct Professor of Marine Science at the National Marine Science Centre in Coffs Harbour. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au “Despite less-than-ideal sea conditions, the fourth Coffs Coast Sea Slug Census (22-30 January) started auspiciously, with sheltered rockpools on local headlands providing a happy hunting ground. “Finds included a new record for Australia, a small, colourful species (Hypselodoris bertschi), only previously recorded from Hawaii, Japan and French Polynesia. “The Coffs Coast and the adjacent Solitary Islands Marine Park are important locations for the Sea Slug Census (SSC). “The three previous yearly censuses recorded 226 species, some of which were the southernmost records for the species on Australia’s east coast, most likely a result of warming ocean temperatures. “For most people, ‘slug’ conjures up images of those sticky little pests that devastate our vegetable gardens,” said Steve. “However, the soft, shell-less body is where external similarities with sea slugs end. “Often referred to as the butterflies of the sea, sea slugs display an amazing variety of colours and body forms making them one of the most popular, and most-photographed, groups of marine invertebrates. “Just like butterflies, sea slugs have relatively short lives, with most living for much less than a year. “They also have very specific food requirements. “In combination, these features mean they respond rapidly to changing environmental conditions and are therefore useful indicators of environmental health. “To capitalise on this monitoring potential, the Sea Slug Census (SSC) program was launched in December 2013 at Nelson Bay, inviting community members to photographically document sea slug diversity in their own ‘blue backyard’.” Since then, the program has spread to 12 different locations around Australia, and overseas to Vanuatu and Indonesia. To date 2,368 participants have recorded 765 species in more than 70 census events. Details about how to join the event can be found on the web pages of the local organiser, the Solitary Islands Underwater Research Group. Visit www.surg.org.au/news/hints-for-participants-in-the-fourth-annual-coffs-coast-sea-slug-census-to-be-held-next-week. “The Coffs Coast Sea Slug Census is open to the whole community and a great activity for the last week of the school holidays. “Who knows what you might find,” Steve entices. By Andrea FERRARI A new record for Australia’s east coast with Hypselodoris bertschi found on the first day of this year’s Coffs Coast Sea Slug Census. The Spanish Dancer nudibranch is one of the largest species found in the area, and also one of the most spectacular. This undescribed species (Janolus sp.) is rare throughout its range and was recorded at South Solitary Island in the 2019 Coffs Coast Sea Slug Census.
