May 21, 2025
Photo: Redmap (Facebook)
What makes fishing so much fun is you never quite know what you are going to catch. And, if you catch something unusual while you’re on the water be sure to to Spot, Log and Map with Redmap.
The Range Extension Database & Mapping project (Redmap) invites the Australian community to spot, log and map marine species that are uncommon in Australia, or along particular parts of our coast.
Thanks to the help of the Redmap community, divers, fishers, beachcombers and more, there are now more than 5,000 out-of-range, rare or unusual citizen science contributions to Redmap since 2009.
Redmap uses this data from citizen scientists to map which Australian marine species may be extending their distribution range – a.k.a moving into new areas – in response to changes in the marine environment, such as ocean warming. In fact, scientists have used the data to identify dozens of marine species that are likely to be shifting in range southwards.
Recently in Victoria, reports have included a red velvetfish (Gnathanacanthus goetzeei) in Port Phillip, a magpie perch (Pseudogoniistius nigripes) at Apollo Bay Harbour, Elephant fish (Callorhinchus milii) at Blairgowrie Pier, and a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) in Rickett’s Point Marine Park.
Find out more on the Redmap website including which species are considered unusual to your local area and to submit your sightings.
