QUEST TO SNAP WEEDY DRAGON
MARINE scientists are urging Queenscliff residents to join a dragon quest — but not the fantasy kind.
Victoria’s marine emblem, the iconic weedy seadragon, resides in Port Phillip Bay, but the population is declining.
Dragon Quest is a citizen science project launched by the Victorian National Parks Association’s ( VNPA) ReefWatch program that invites the public to share photographs of seadragons found in the bay to help monitor population numbers.
Already more than 50 divers and snorkellers have submitted more than 3000 images.
“Weedy seadragon numbers in some locations in Australia have declined,” VNPA ReefWatch co-ordinator Kade Mills said. ”However, the population in our own backyard, Port Phillip Bay, has rarely been studied and we do not know if they are suffering the same fate.
“The first step in protecting this iconic and unique species, one of only three species of seadragon on the planet, is to determine how many there are. We are requesting images to be submitted by the public so we can get an idea of the size of the population — a first for Victoria.”
Images submitted by the public are processed using pattern recognition software as the markings on the side of each seadragon is unique, like a fingerprint.
This means individual weedy seadragons can be identified without the use of tags or physical interference.
Local dive businesses are supporting the project as well.
Australian Diving Instruction Geelong owner Stephen Mabbett said the weedy seadragon was on top of divers’ lists of creatures to see.
“We have witnessed a significant decline in their numbers in Port Phillip Bay over the years,” he said. “The weedy seadragon is now only found in a handful of locations.
“While divers with keen eyes are able to spot them camouflaging among the seaweed, a large number of divers have not been fortunate enough to encounter one.”
Weedy seadragons are commonly found at Cottage by the Sea in Queenscliff.
The project is funded by the State Government’s Port Phillip Bay Fund.