Marine BioBlitz 2025

A BioBlitz is a way to record and identify as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time. As part of Waverley’s Marine Diversity program, we are calling on scientists, nature lovers, school children and community members to record local marine animal and plant species over two days using the iNaturalist App or a checklist for younger people.

Council will provide supporting resources in the lead-up to the BioBlitz including a webinar on how to participate and factsheets.  A BioBlitz basecamp with scientific support and roving marine experts will be available at the Bondi Pavilion to answer your questions. Everyone is invited to participate.

Rockpool adventures

Join a range of educational land-based activities hosted by Council and visit our basecamps for information on how to upload images to iNaturalist. Don’t worry if you’re not sure what the species is, the iNaturalist community and our partners at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science will review and ensure correct identification of all images. Undertake your own independent Citizen Science activities, by heading out into their local marine ecosystem, using drones or other equipment to report what you see to iNaturalist.

Taking snaps of local creatures to upload to iNaturalist

All the information we gather during the BioBlitz will be uploaded to iNaturalist, a biodiversity database used by scientists, researchers, community members and decision-makers to better understand, monitor and help protect natural ecosystems. It will enable us to evaluate the health of our coastal and marine biodiversity and inform Council management actions and programs.

A BioBlitz is a self-guided activity and anyone one can take part, but children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

You can participate at any of Waverley’s beaches or coastal environments, including Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte, between 6am Friday 28 March until 6pm 29 March 2024   .

On Friday 28 March, Council will support interested local schools to participate between 12-3pm at Bondi and Bronte beaches – Visit Humantix page to learn more and register.

On Saturday 29 March, Council will provide a BioBlitz Basecamp in the High Tide Room at the Bondi Pavilion. You can visit the base camp to discuss findings with scientists and marine experts, get support with any questions you might have, take a break, learn about local marine species and visit marine stalls.

Map indicating Waverley Council Boundaries where the BioBlitz will take place (including Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte)

Every observation you make helps build a clearer picture of our marine biodiversity. By sharing what you find on iNaturalist, you’re creating scientific-grade data. Once three citizen scientists confirm your entry, it becomes a "research grade" observation that can be used in research analysis and reports. The Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) will use this data to report on species abundance and distribution in Waverley's coastal area, which will build understanding of marine ecosystems, guide conservation efforts and inform Council management actions. Your involvement can make a real difference in protecting our coast!

Species will be recorded via the free iNaturalist App on a designated project page. Council will host a webinar and provide simple instructions on how to use the App and what to look for, in the lead up to the event in March 2025.

During the BioBlitz, you can also visit the BioBlitz Basecamp where there will be people to guide and advise you.

Sea Star and a Waratah Anemone at Bondi

Don’t worry! Just snap a photo and enter it in the iNaturalist App. The App will suggest what it thinks your observation is and members of the iNaturalist community will confirm. Scientists from the Sydney Institute of Marine Science and roving marine experts will also help you with identification.

Sign up to iNaturalist and get the app here.

Check out land and ocean species that locals are recording in our area.

• Phone with camera.
• iNaturalist App downloaded on your phone.
• Reusable water bottle
• Enclosed shoes
• Hat
• Sunscreen

Finding marine life on the Bondi rock platform