Sustainable Onkaparinga will present a workshop on Marine Hitchhikers of the Onkaparinga Coast on Sunday 4 July.

Take a look at the introduced marine creatures that have been discovered by citizen scientists and find out how you can get involved.

The South Australian Conservation Research Divers (SACReD) invite you to a slideshow to showcase the fascinating variety of introduced marine species that they have found in the coastal waters in the Onkaparinga council region. 

At the workshop, you’ll also learn how to contribute your coastal critter images to the Marine Hitchhikers project, and the Onkaparinga Coast - Marine Biodiversity project. 

All you need is a camera (or phone camera), and access to the global iNaturalist citizen science portal, via computer or phone app. 

SACReD will show you how to join iNaturalist, how to upload photos of marine life in the area, and how to connect with scientists and citizen scientists across Australia and the world, who are working with introduced marine species. 

The pilot project started in 2020, and you could help to keep the research active in future, and even find new species for this area.

If you take photos when you go beachcombing, rock pool rambling, snorkelling or diving anywhere along the Onkaparinga coast, your images could help long-term research to care for coastal habitats and biodiversity. 

Your photos could also contribute to the ever-growing marine biodiversity database for the Onkaparinga coast, showcasing this species-rich region. 

This free workshop will be presented by J.L Baker, Marine Ecologist (Marine Janine) and Matt Tank, IT Specialist and Marine Citizen Scientist.

It is supported by the Coast Protection Board through a Coastal Community Participation Grant and City of Onkaparinga and will be held at Port Noarlunga Surf Life Saving Club from 2pm to 4pm. Register via Eventbrite.