Victoria's largest marine citizen science event, The Great Victorian Fish Count, will mark its 20th anniversary when divers and snorkelers take to the state's waters from Saturday.
Hundreds of people will count fish at their local dive site, following in the trail of those who have found fish species never before seen or rarely seen in Victoria since the first event in 2002.
Citizen-scientists record the numbers of important fish species and report any others not usually found in the area as part of long-term monitoring of fish across the Victorian coast.
The data collected is uploaded to the Atlas of Living Australia to improve knowledge of Victoria's marine species.
These records have been accessed for research education, and environmental management, highlighting the ongoing value of citizen science
Victorian National Parks Association ReefWatch Coordinator Kade Mills said this year's Great Victorian Fish Count was an opportunity to look back on 20 years of discoveries.
"Over the past two decades divers and snorkelers have rediscovered the Western Blue Groper in Victoria waters and found fish species never before seen like the Spotted Grubfish, Silver Dory, Short-nosed Boarfish and Spiny Anglerfish," he said.
"Not only is the count heaps of fun, it also makes a really important scientific contribution that highlights the incredible diversity of Victoria's marine life."
The 2022 Great Victorian Fish Count also coincides with the 20th anniversary of the state's marine national parks.
The VNPA and other groups campaigned for over a decade for the creation of these protected areas of Victoria's coastal areas, which were created in 2002.
"Since their creation, snorkelers and divers have spent countless hours documenting sea life in marine national parks," Mr Mills said.
"The anniversary is a chance to celebrate hidden gems, from the special protected areas providing refuge for sea life to the iconic and sometimes elusive fish themselves.
"It also highlights the need to create more marine national parks, with Victoria going from leader to laggard in recent years after the failure to protect more areas."
The Great Victorian Fish Count is organised by the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) in partnership with participating groups and supported by Parks Victoria, Coastcare Victoria, and Museums Victoria along with Redmap Australia.
This year the event will run over five weekends, from Saturday November 12 until Sunday December 11 at dozens of sites across the Victorian coastline from Port Fairy in the West to Marlo in the East.
Registrations to run a Great Victorian Fish Count event are still open to dive clubs, tour operators and community groups.
