Marine Bioblitz - Byron Bay Region

Calling all ocean and beach lovers to join our Marine Bioblitz of the Byron Bay region from 8th – 17th March 2024. Whether you are a diver, beach walker, kayaker, boater, surfer, fisher or explorer, everyone get involved!

Marine Bioblitz - Byron Bay Region 2024

The Marine Bioblitz is an opportunity for all members of the community to get involved as citizen scientists and document the rich biodiversity in our marine and coastal habitats. This provides a snapshot of species found across marine habitats at this time of year, which has never been done in our area before.

Record animal and plant species you find above and below the water from inter-tidal zones, rock pools, estuaries, pelagic zones, open ocean and reefs. The survey area coincides with our Byron Bay Hope Spot, and encompasses the Cape Byron Marine Park and extends further south to Ballina.

Your sightings help to provide an important record of the marine biodiversity that exists in our region. This information will help to inform conservation measures and monitor the impacts of climate change on our oceans.

So if you can walk a beach / paddle a kayak / snorkel a reef / wade in a river / wander around a rock pool, then this Marine Bioblitz is for you!! 

How it Works

Just register on this page, snap a photo within the region from March 8 - 17th, and upload it to iNaturalist. 

You can take a look at Marine Bioblitz Byron Bay Region 2024 Project on iNaturalist to see all the submissions!

How to Participate

Once you've registered, we'll send you more information about how to get started on iNaturalist & all the events you can take part in. You can undertake your own surveys and observations in your own time or join a community group event as part of our Marine Bioblitz. 

Download iNaturalist from your app store to upload your own observations while enjoying solo time in nature or at an event. Or organise your own group of friends, your school class or your family to go exploring and documenting. 

Code of Conduct 

Take the pledge that you'll be a responsible citizen scientist to ensure the Bioblitz has a positive impact on our environment - it's as simple as having a read through our general Code of Conduct and making sure you follow the guidelines. 

The Byron Bay Hope Spot - Our Survey Area

Specifically we are seeking observations from South Golden Beach and Marshall’s Creek in the north, Brunswick River to Mullumbimby, Byron Bay, Broken Head, Lennox Head, Ballina and the Richmond River to Wardell in the south. Ocean observations can extend to 3 nautical miles eastward and beyond to the continental shelf. Observations can be made of species both above and below the water.

Spot Amazing Creatures, Win Cool Prizes

We'll have prizes for people who spot the most unique and weird species, for the best wildlife photo uploaded, for the rarest species found (based on the IUCN Redlist), for the best underwater photo, and the grand prize: for the amazing individual who gets the most sightings during the blitz. So get your sightings uploaded and be in the running for some awesome prizes!  

Marine Bioblitz Byron Bay Region Organised Events

Feel like learning more or joining a community event? Here's a list of events being run by local ocean conservation groups as part of the Autumn 2024 Marine Bioblitz - 

Thu 7th March – Launch & information evening @ Common People Bangalow. 6:00-8:30pm - Join us for "blue drinks" (a mingle with fellow ocean lovers), plus some short presentations on citizen science and how you can help manta rays and loggerhead turtles. We'll also be sharing information about the bioblitz, including our marine animal code of conduct. 

Fri 8th March - Dolphin Watch @ The Pass, Byron Bay - Join the Dolphin Research Australia team for a land-based Dolphin Watch survey at The Pass, Byron Bay. Meet at the top of the boat ramp next to the Cape Byron Marine Park sign at 8:00am. Survey will finish at 9:30am. Maximum of 12 people so please RSVP Isabela  - isabela@dolphinresearchaustralia.org

Sat 9th March - Bird Spotting Walk with Byron Bird Buddies  @ Marshall Creek - Meet at the end of North Head Rd, New Brighton at 8am for a walk along the north wall of the Brunswick River and back along the beach, looking for as many birds as you can see! This free event is coordinated by Byron Bird Buddies. Maximum of 12 people so please RSVP with Jan - byronbirdbuddy@gmail.com

Sat 9th March - Junior Wildlife Rangers Marine Bioblitz @ Wategos Beach, Byron Bay Hope Spot - Junior Wildlife Rangers is a nature adventure program designed specifically for kids 3-17 years who love nature, science, and wildlife. Develop a love for wildlife that will last a lifetime. Let’s play games, go on a nature discovery and look for lots of wildlife. This free event is coordinated by Oceana Wildlife. Please RSVP with Jasmin rangers@oceanawildlife.org 

Sun 10th March - Byron Bay Sea Turtle School  @ Meet at Cape Byron YHA, 9am-1pm - Byron Bay Sea Turtle School provides a unique opportunity to learn, swim alongside, and help protect sea turtles in the Nguthungulli Julian Rocks marine sanctuary. Learn about sea turtle ecology, identification, biology and their crucial roles within our ecosystems, then take a short boat ride out to Julian Rocks to swim alongside the turtles & photograph them. Cost $179 (Workshop + Snorkel Tour) - Locals Discount Available. Max. 10 people. Book directly through the website www.byronbayseaturtleschool.com.au or email info@byronbayseaturtleschool.com.au for more details.

Wed 13th March - Byron Bay Sea Turtle School  @ Meet at Cape Byron YHA, 12pm-4pm - Byron Bay Sea Turtle School provides a unique opportunity to learn, swim alongside, and help protect sea turtles in the Nguthungulli Julian Rocks marine sanctuary. Learn about sea turtle ecology, identification, biology and their crucial roles within our ecosystems, then take a short boat ride out to Julian Rocks to swim alongside the turtles & photograph them. Cost $179 (Workshop + Snorkel Tour) - Locals Discount Available. Max. 10 people. Book directly through the websitewww.byronbayseaturtleschool.com.au or email info@byronbayseaturtleschool.com.au for more details.

Fri 15th March - Mangrove Walk @ Brunswick Estuary - Join Ocean Education manager and marine scientist Isabela for an informative walk and talk through the mangroves and heathlands of the Brunswick Estuary from 8am-10am. See how many species of flora and fauna you can find! Meeting at 7:45am at location TBC. Maximum of 12 people so please RSVP Isabela – isabela@dolphinresearchaustralia.org

Sat 16th March - Bird Spotting Walk with Byron Bird Buddies  @ Belongil Estuary - Meet at the car park at the end of Bayshore Drive at 8am or at the beach at 8:30, looking for as many birds as you can see! This event is coordinated by Byron Bird Buddies. Maximum of 12 people so please RSVP with Jan - byronbirdbuddy@gmail.com

If you're on a kayak tour with Cape Byron Kayaks during the Bioblitz, they'll be sharing information on every tour and collecting photos from their paddlers to document the wildlife they spot on each kayak trip. 

As a community of citizen scientists, you’ll connect with other like-minded people, learn about the species that call our blue backyards home whilst contributing to the knowledge and protection of local ecosystems.

Check out our INaturalist Marine Bioblitz Byron Bay Region 2024 project page and add your sighting and see what else has been recorded - iNaturalist: Marine Bioblitz Byron Bay Region

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This is organised by the Byron Bay Hope Spot (a project of Dolphin Research Australia) with the support of Patagonia's 1% for the Planet program.  

Participating Organisations and Businesses 

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