Bite-sized pieces: Redmap Report Card 2016

Yvette Barry and the Redmap Team, 16 Dec 2016.

Australians have shared more than 2100 photos on Redmap of unusual or rare marine life in their local seas. Top-sighted Redmap species include threadfin butterflyfish in NSW, eastern rock lobster in Tasmania and redthroat emperor in WA. More than half of the sightings were submitted by divers. And the community data was used or mentioned in 23 scientific papers! The Redmap Report Card recaps who spotted what where around the country.

TASMANIA'S most sighted Redmap species was the eastern rock lobster (Sagmariasus verreauxi). More common in mainland seas, this one was caught in north-east Tasmania by Danny Lee.
NEW SOUTH WALES' most reported species was the threadfin butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga). This one was snapped out of its usual range by Georgia Poyner in Narooma (southern NSW).
WESTERN AUSTRALIA'S most reported species was the redthroat emperor (Lethrinus miniatus). We ask people to log this species if spotted south of Perth (Photo: MarkR)
VICTORIA'S most reported species was the western blue groper (Achoerodus gouldii) (Photo: Peter Fuller)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA's most sighted Redmap species was the giant cuttlefish (Sepia apama). Giant cuttlefish occur across southern Australia but we need more sightings to better assess its distribution and its breeding ground in the Spencer Gulf (Photo: Andy Burnell).
QUEENSLAND'S most reported fish was Barramundi (Lates calcarifer). We ask Queenslanders to log this iconic fish if seen south of Bundaberg so we can gain a better understanding of its distribution. This one was caught near Brisbane by Ben Diggles.