The Great Fish Count

Hundreds of divers and snorkelers are suiting up and about to, well, dive in for the 11th Great Victorian Fish Count.

Now in its 11th year, the Great Victorian Fish Count is organised by the
independent, non-profit, membership-based Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA), a non-government conservation group, in partnership with Parks Victoria, Museum Victoria, Coastcare Victoria, local dive operators and community groups.

Victoria has 45 national parks, 13 marine national parks, 11 marine sanctuaries and numerous other parks protected under the National Parks Act. VNPA says it was behind the successful campaign to create a world first system of marine national parks that collectively protects 5 per cent of Victoria's coastal waters.

"The huge amount of enthusiasm volunteers have for the Great Victorian Fish Count reflects the deep knowledge and passion that exists in local communities for our marine life," says Caitlin Griffith from the Victorian National Parks Association, a non-government nature conservation organisation.

"This enthusiasm makes it possible to contribute large amounts of real, usable data to marine managers and improves our understanding of Victoria’s waters."

The dive window to record fish will run for just two weeks from Saturday November 21 to Sunday December 6. Divers and snorkelers from dive clubs, universities, schools, community groups and the general public will be clambering to counting as many fish along Victoria’s coast as they can.

Organisers say this year’s fish count is looking for ‘Fish on the Move’, and will focus on species that may be expanding their distribution and populations as a result of changes in the marine environment, such as ocean warming due to climate change.

Fish counters will be asked to keep an eye out for well-known locals as well as species that may be new or unusual to the area. They’ll also be encouraged to log unusual or rare sightings at the angler-supported Redmap project at redmap.org.au.

Redmap is a national ‘citizen science’ project that captures data and maps marine species that may be extending their range in Australia in response to changes in the marine environment.

Parks Victoria will coordinate surveys in many of Victoria’s marine national parks and sanctuaries.

"The Great Victorian Fish Count is a wonderful example of the Healthy Parks - Healthy People activities we promote," said Parks Victoria’s Marine and Coasts program leader Mark Rodrigue.

"People can get out into Victoria’s spectacular underwater parks and help improve our understanding of their health while having fun taking part in a great physical activity in the environment."

Registrations of interest for the Great Victorian Fish Count are currently open to dive clubs and community groups.

Survey sites already confirmed include Flinders Pier, Rye Pier, Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary, Bunurong Marine National Park, Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park, Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary, Port Campbell, Warrnambool and Port Fairy.

Of course, divers don't encounter all the fish in a given area, especially over a small two-week period, nor do they necessarily see and record those that anglers catch with regularity.

But the combination of above- and below-water observations, when reviewed and filtered by impartial and expert science leaders, can lead to worthwhile data and discoveries that might otherwise go unnoticed.

These underwater surveys can also lead to far-reaching conclusions about fish size, abundance and diversity and, sometimes, diver-driven campaigns for greater habitat protection and new marine parks. Victorian boaters and fishers might find some changes afoot with local marine protection plans being worked on.

Photo credits: Mainly Parks Victoria.