Do you have a question? Please contact the Redmap team at enquiries@redmap.org.au

How to register
How to log in once registered
How to log a sighting
What if I am not sure about what I saw?
How to review sightings
What are the Redmap species?
How to decide whether to log a species
Making a group sighting
What will the information be used for?
What is a fishing block?
How is a fish measured?
How to take a photo of a fish for identification purposes
My sighting shows up on land?
What's on the wish list for Redmap?
 

How to register

You will be prompted to register the first time you make a sighting. Your registration will be finalised when you receive an email confirming your information.

To register for Redmap you will need to provide the following information:

Username (for public display)
Name (Your name will not be shown on the Redmap site)
Password
Email address
Phone (optional)
Postcode (optional)
Occupation/interest

We would like you to sign up to Redmap even if you currently don't have a sighting to report! This way we can inform you of changes to Redmap species, new climate change or marine information, and send you our newsletter. Signing up also puts you in the draw to win one of the many great prizes we have on offer!

To register or 'sign up' please go to the prompt on the top right-hand side of the home page and fill in your details.
 

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How to log in once registered

Once registered with Redmap you will be provided with your own profile page for you to track your sightings, view photos and update information about yourself and your citizen science activities.

Sign in by filling out the prompts on the top right hand corner of the home page. You will also be prompted to sign in upon logging a sighting.

If you have forgotten your password, we can forward it to your email address.

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How to log a sighting
 

Go to the Log a sighting page. The Redmap 'Log a sighting' form asks a series of questions:

Full name and email address.

The species observed:  A drop-down box is provided with the entire list of Redmap indicator species listed. Please choose one. If you have spotted a species out of range but not on the list choose other species. A box to write the name of your species in will appear. If you have a photo of your species that can be verified by a scientist then this species may be added as a 'Redmap' species. If you do not have a photo log your sighting anyway and it will be stored in the TAFI database. If a verified sighting is later provided your sighting will then also be shown.

Specific features of the species observed: Additional information such as sex, length and weight.

Upload a photo: Sightings are divided into two categories, those with photos, those without. If you attach a photo to your data form, it will be checked by a scientist and if found to be accurate Redmap can classify the data as ‘verified’.

Where you made the sighting? Click to select the location on the map, or use the advanced fields to enter latitude and longitude (but we still only display the information at the level of fishing block.

The date and time of your sighting.

The activity you were enjoying when you spotted the Redmap species:
Fishing
Diving
Boating
Swimming
Beach Combing
 

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What if I am not sure about what I saw?

If you are not sure about the species you have spotted PLEASE do not log a sighting.  It is important the information provided to Redmap is as accurate a possible to maintain the integrity of the database. You can still help Redmap by spreading the word about our site. If you know anyone that fishes or dives, or any teachers interested in the marine enviroment then tell them about Redmap!

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How to review sightings

To view sighting information go to the Tasmanian sightings page.  All members of the community can access the sighting information on this page.

Data is presented on the map by a series of red dots, the size of which represents the number of sighting seen in a 50x50 nautical mile radius.

By clicking on a red dot you are able to view specific information about what species have been spotted in those regions, and how many times they have been spotted. Information is provided about who spotted them, when they spotted them and what they were doing at the time. Photos of sightings from the community are easily viewed on this page.

The Tasmanian sightings page presents all sightings on an interactive map, however, you can choose a specific species from the drop-down list provided if you would like to see sightings for a particular species only.

The map can present data to the viewer in two ways; by number of sightings in an area or number of species in an area, and you can also select to see all sightings or only verified sightings.

Data can be filtered by dates; just fill in the 'From' and 'To' fields.

Registered users will also be able to review their own specific sightings!
 

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What are the Redmap species?

Redmap has provided a list of species indicated by scientific or anecdotal information to be extending or shifting their range. You can view this information on the marine species page. Each species is listed with some key identification information. By clicking on the 'more information' link, you will go to a detailed fact sheet on each species.

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How to decide whether to log a species

On the detailed fact sheet provided about each species, specific information is provided about where in Tasmania to log that species. For example if you saw a blue groper you are advised to log your sighting wherever you spotted it. However, logging for some species may be restricted to northern or southern regions of Tasmania.
 

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Making a group sighting?
 

If you are enjoying the water with friends and all notice a 'Redmap species' please make sure that you nominate one member of the team or group to log the sighting on the Redmap site.

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What will the information be used for?

In time the Redmap data will provide a historical perspective of changes to species distributions in Tasmania. This will be very valuable information to help with planning for a sustainable marine environment. It may also highlight changes that require further information or targeted studies to be developed. Redmap data is displayed on the website so the information is used for a very important purpose - giving all interested Tasmanians the opportunity to see how our ecosystems are changing.

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 What is a fishing block?

You may have noticed that the map has been divided up into 'fishing blocks'. The finfish catch from Tasmanian commercial fishers is reported to the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment within these blocks at a scale of 50 x 50 nautical miles. Redmap thought reporting sightings at this scale would be a good way to display catch information without giving away too much detail about your favourite fishing spots.

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How is a fish measured?

Brief descriptions of how to measure your catch are provided. For a detailed description on measuring marine species refer to the Recreational Sea Fishing Guide 2009-10 (Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment).

FISH: Measure total length, that is from the tip of snout to furthest point of tail (longest measurement). For forked tails, this means you would manipulate the caudal (tail) fin to get the longest measurement.

OCTOPUS: The length of octopus is not usually measured, they are weighed instead. If possible provide the whole weight of the octopus on the log a sighting page.

ROCK LOBSTER: The entire length of a rock lobster is not required. A measurement of the rock lobsters carapace (shell) is used to measure its size.

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How to take a photo of a fish for identification purposes

Sometimes taking pictures of fish can be a little tricky especially if you are diving. If you send in a photograph with your log a sighting form it is important we can clearly identify the species to ensure the data provided is robust. Here are some tips on taking a good photo (on land) by Peter Walsh a professional photographer:

• Take the photo as soon as possible after removing the fish from the water.
• Place the fish on its side on a flat, single coloured surface that contrasts against the colour of the fish (white or black are best, the silver surface of a tinny can work, but watch out for reflections from the sun).
• Place a coin or box of matches or another easily identifiable object in the photo to give an indication of size.
• Set the camera to take the highest quality image possible.
• Have the sun behind you and avoid shadows (including your own!).
• If the light is dull or you can’t avoid shadows, try using the flash. You may need to do it at an angle to the surface the fish is lying on to avoid reflections from the flash.
• If you’re not using flash, make sure your shutter speed is at least 1/60th of a second (you may need to use shutter priority mode instead of auto to achieve this).
• Take the photo so the fish occupies the whole of the viewfinder or preview screen but doesn’t extend past the edges so that you miss parts of the fish. If the fish is small, get in close and make sure the camera is in macro mode if needed.
• Ask someone to spread and hold out the dorsal and anal fins (as long as it’s not poisonous!) without obscuring too much of fins with their fingers.
• Take at least two photos – one of the whole fish and one of just the head. Take more photos if there are other markings on the fish you think will help with identification.
• If you’re using a digital camera, remember to review each photo to make sure it’s OK.
• For identification purposes show any marks or distinguishing features of the species including an upright dorsal fin and head profile

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My sighting showed up on land?

What the?? You have made a sighting in a fishing block near the coast and it has shown up on land - as far as you know you were actually in water! Don't worry it is actually a function of the GIS mapping program. It averages the latitude and longitude position of the fishing block you made your sighting in - this was to ensure no secret fishing spots were revealed! For some fishing blocks close to the coast it means that the dot for your sighting plots up on the coast. We are working on a solution. In the meantime be reassured we do realise the sighting was made in the sea!!

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What is on the Redmap wish list?

This is just the beginning for Redmap, we have big plans! Below is a list of things on our wish list for future development of the site. Just as soon as we can get some more moolah.

• Benthic marine invertebrates: There is a whole ocean of critters out there in our rocky shore and benthic environments. We would like to extend Redmap to incorporate a greater variety of species. This is especially relevant for SCUBA divers who actually see these environments up close.
   

• Zoom zoom: In the future we would like to have a map that zooms in further so more detailed information could be captured and displayed.
   

• SMS reporting and photos: Most people have their phone on them at all times. We would like to create the opportunity for the community to log a sighting via their mobile phone. It would make reporting a breeze if you could land your catch and then send us a happy snap via your phone.
   

• Getting the word out there: We hope to have some signage placed at key jetties to remind fishers upon their return that we want to know about that strange sighting.
   

• Redmap Australia: Imagine if Redmap in Tasmania was just a pilot project and this amazing information could be gathered and displayed in all Australian states. Redmap has plans to extend to all regions of Australia. If you are from another state of Australia and are an industry representative, NGO or government employee, or scientist and are interested in helping establish Redmap in your state please contact us.
   

• Disappearing species: Documenting species that are disappearing from out marine environments, for example giant string kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera). Now this is a job we would rather not have to do but if it’s happening it’s probably pretty important we record the changes.
   

• Phenology: The timing of events in our marine environment. Redmap would also like to collect information about major natural cycles and events such as the timing of tuna arrival or the breeding cycles of seabirds.
   

• Glossary: Sometime scientific worlds can be a little difficult to decipher - we hope to include a pop up glossary explaining key terms in the near future.
   

• Diving in Tasmania: More pages specifically aimed at information and activities for local divers such as interesting or rare species to take note of or key areas to visit to gather information.
   

• Feed back and stories: Information provided by locals who are witnessing changes in our waters.
   

We would also like to include more species, more Tassie relevant information, more prizes and more teachers’ resources! Your ideas and suggestions are very welcome, so if you can think of other good additions or changes to Redmap, let us know.

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