SEA SLUG CENSUS
Join the excitement with URG, Southern Cross University, and iNaturalist as we host thrilling Sea Slug Census events! Held for 2 weekends every November at both Port Stephens and Sydney, these events encourage divers to capture images of various sea slug species and upload on iNaturalist to conduct the census.
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​Did you know there are over 2,000 known sea slugs, with many more yet to be discovered? Sea slugs are remarkable climate change indicators due to their visibility, short lifespans, and easy identification. By participating, you contribute to scientific understanding of species distribution, climate change impacts, and potentially discovering new species. Dive into discovery with us!
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Participate through scuba diving, snorkeling, or exploring rock pools.
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REQUIREMENTS:
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Certified scuba divers are welcome, or you can participate as a snorkeler or rock pool explorer.
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Bring an underwater camera (or waterproof camera for snorkelers).
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Join individually or as part of a dive team.
CENSUS GUIDELINES:
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Dive/snorkel site scope: Sydney, with a geographic range from Port Hacking to Pittwater, including Bare Island as the main census site.
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Capture one photo of each sea slug species within the census timeframe and dive site scope—no need to identify them, just snap their photos!
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Crop the photos to highlight the sea slug clearly.
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Upload your results to iNaturalist. If you are facing challenges joining iNaturalist for the Census then let us know, and we'll ensure your observations are included.
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Embark on this underwater adventure with us and make a splash in marine research!
How to participate in the Sea Slug Census
iNaturalist is an online tool where you can upload photos, get help with species identification, and contribute to the recordings of species whilst collaborating with others.
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​All submissions can be reviewed and commented upon by all participants, and all other users of iNaturalist including world experts, to provide consensus on identification (termed “Research Grade”).
Capture Images of Sea Slugs
You must be a certified scuba diver to dive OR you can participate as a snorkeler or browsing the rock pools.
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You will need an underwater camera (or waterproof camera for snorkeler).
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You can participate as an individual or as part of a dive team.
Crop your photo if necessary, noting that the best photo will be presented at the URG social!
Upload to iNaturalist
Sign in to iNaturalist, upload your photos, and tag them as 'nudibranch,' mentioning the location and date. If you know the species, add it. If unsure, don't worry—the iNaturalist community will help identify it for you.
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iNaturalist will then compile the leaderboard and census data using the images of sea slug species found in the chosen area and time frame.
Sydney Sea Slug Census Events
NEXT SEA SLUG CENSUS WILL BE HELD NOVEMBER 2026:
The 2026 Sydney Sea Slug Census is planned over the period of 14 - 22 November 2026.
2023 - Total species found: 68
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BEST NUDI SPOTTERS - Sebastien Landat, Charlotte Elliott, Reka Tunde and Honam Law who provided 416 observations between them. Honam Law alone spotted 36 different species!
2022 - Total species found: 23
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BEST NUDI SPOTTERS - Nyrie4wombie, Harry Rosenthal and Natalie-anna and Mike Jones who provided 34 observations and 16 species between them.
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2020 - Total species found: 53
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BEST NUDI SPOTTERS - Salvatore Gambacurta, Adad Were, Steven Coutt and Felipe Malbec with 40 species.
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BEST PHOTO – Team Party Boy's image of Janolus sp. Syd6
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2019 - Total species found: 25
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BEST NUDI SPOTTERS - Wilson Leung, Tom Chun, Frank Bai, Steven Kong, Agnes Chan & Kathy Law with 15 species.
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BEST PHOTO – Minh Tran's image of the common but undescribed Elysia sp
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2018 - Total species found: 61 (14 of these had not been found in the last 3 censuses)
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BEST NUDI SPOTTERS - Dan Vaughan and Sandra Gendera with 38 species.
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BEST PHOTO – Wilson Leung and Kathy Law’s image of Nembrotha purpureolineata
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2017 - Total species found: 70 (23 of these had not been found in the last 2 censuses)
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BEST NUDI SPOTTERS - Deb Aston, Ted Aston and Kim Dinh.
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BEST PHOTO – Ron Walsh’s image of mating Ceratosoma amoenum
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2016 - Total species found: 53
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BEST NUDI SPOTTERS - Tom & Nicola Davis with 18 species.
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BEST PHOTO – Duncan Heuer’s image of Miamira magnifica
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2015 - Total species found: 43
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BEST NUDI SPOTTERS - Will Owyong & Cath Shorthouse, John Turnbull & Yolana Kailichova – both with 18 species.
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BEST PHOTO – Ian Shaw’s image of Goniobranchus tasmaniensis
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