The Sea Slug Census program has been shortlisted for a Eureka Prize in the category Innovation in Citizen Science.
Since its inception in 2013 at Nelson Bay in NSW, the Sea Slug Census has seen over 3000 divers, snorkellers and ocean enthusiasts photograph more than 930 species of slugs, including some never before documented in Australian waters. This project feeds into global biodiversity databases to allow scientists to detect important changes in the distribution of Australia’s sea slugs. SURG members have contributed greatly to the census results with an annual Coffs Coast Sea Slug Census held in January since 2019. Census events are now held in many locations across Australia and South East Asia.
Above, Matt Nimbs, Steve Smith and Tom Davis.
Steve and Tom were instrumental in setting up the original census program at Nelson Bay in 2013 and have been involved in the organisation and, with Matt, the identification of the many submitted photographs from participants.
The prizes will be announced in a live broadcast on Wednesday, 23rd August, 2023.
