Redmap is offering one scholarship to a student to study the new Marine Biology unit XAS101 A Practical Introduction to Temperate Marine Biology offered as part of the University of Tasmania College Program.
This edition celebrates citizen science and Redmap's community observations! Noteworthy observations include a once-in-a-Century jellyfish sighting, a giant squid and dolphinfish. Also, we need your help if you live in WA: become a Redmap WA Champion! And high school students may be interested in a new marine biology course offered by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. Read the latest Redmap news.
The jellyfish Cephea cephea was spotted only once before in Australia: almost 100 years ago in Queensland. Then 14-year old diver and marine enthusiast Georgia Poyner collected this rarely-seen jelly in southern NSW and logged her sighting on Redmap!
Some unusual catches are being logged on Redmap, writes Yvette Barry in Fishing World. Check out this dolphinfish that was caught in southern Western Australia! Read the full story here.
Marine scientists in north Queensland are excited about the discovery of a group of whale sharks on the Great Barrier Reef, writes ABC News. The group was spotted by a commercial fisherman on the outer reef off the coast of Townsville recently. Whale sharks have previously been seen in the marine park swimming alone, but this is the first time a group of them has been sighted and recorded. Read …
Queensland's James Cook University (JCU) has joined a world-first shark survey researching the predator's decreasing populations, writes the Brisbane Times. JCU and Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) researchers have joined a three-year project to survey shark numbers in reefs around the world, data essential to their conservation. Read more in the Brisbane Times.
Fish retreat to deeper water to escape the heat, a new study shows, a finding that throws light on what to expect if predictions of ocean warming come to pass. Read about this James Cook University study in Science Daily.
In a world first study, researchers have unlocked the genetic mystery of why some fish are able to adjust to warming oceans, writes Science Daily. Researchers examined how the fish's genes responded after several generations living at higher temperatures predicted under climate change. Read the full story by the ARC Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies here.
SNOW in the Blue Mountains and near freezing temperatures in Sydney didn't scare this barra, which was spotted over the weekend sunning itself in Sydney Harbour, writes Fishing World. Barramundi are one of Redmap's 'species of interest' to look out for - like the Redmap barra sighting pictured here. However, this sighting in Sydney Harbour could have more to do with a deliberate (and irresponsible) release. Barra prefer water temps …
Citizen Science in Australia recognised today as a major contributor to our knowledge through the release of an Occasional Paper from the Office of Chief Scientist of Australia - authored by Redmap founder Gretta Pecl and three other very passionate champions of citizen science in Australia.
