Australians Have Opportunity to Contribute to Scientific Research
Fishers, divers and beachgoers along the coast of Tasmania have the opportunity to help scientists map the migration patterns and new habitat of many marine species.
In 2009, researchers from the University of Tasmania created and interactive website called REDMAP, Range Extension Database and Mapping Project, as a way to identify important marine habitats. REDMAP was designed to allow anyone to report sightings of marine species in Tasmanian waters. It has help scientists discover previously unknown habitats and ranges of many species.
The project is going to expand to all Australian waters in November 2012.
Old Wife (Enoplosus armatus). Photo Credit Richard Ling. Old wives are often seen and reported on REDMAP.
“We’re involving people in the discovery of how our ecosystems are changing – engaging people in the science of climate change through activities they enjoy like fishing and diving” says Dr. Gretta Pecl, a marine ecologist at the University of Tasmania and principal researcher for REDMAP. “People are very happy about having something valuable to contribute to scientific research.”
You can read the latest news about REDMAP here.
Copyright © 2012 by Marine Science Today, a publication of OceanLines LLC.
