Community members are invited to go along and assist scientists catch fish and invertebrates in Toby Inlet as part of a project to find out what lies beneath the surface.
The project will take place on Saturday, November 18 at McQuade Park, on Campion Way in Quindalup, people can go along anytime between 9am and 1pm and stay for as little or as long as they want.
Scientists will use netting to catch fish and sediment corers to study invertebrates.
Waders will be provided for people wanting to participate on the day with children from the Dunsborough Primary School also participating in the survey effort on Friday November 17.
City of Busselton senior sustainability and environment officer Mathilde Breton said it would be a great opportunity for people to witness how scientists go about their business and participate in an exciting citizen science project.
“You will also be able to learn first-hand about some of the ecological values of Toby Inlet.”
Currently, there is a lack of data available on fish and invertebrates using the Toby Inlet, which needs to be considered as part of the process of determining best management recommendations for the water management plan currently being developed as part of the Revitalising Geographe Waterways programme, to improve water quality, water health and management of Geographe Waterways.
The City of Busselton partnered with the Centre for Fish and Fisheries Research at Murdoch University, Toby Inlet Catchment Group, the South West Catchment Council and Geocatch to conduct important fish and aquatic invertebrate research in Toby Inlet.
The City was successful in securing $18,627 in Coastwest funding to undertake a survey of fish and aquatic invertebrates in Toby Inlet.
Coastwest is a State Government initiative undertaken by the Western Australian Planning Commission and the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.
The fish and invertebrates survey will take place on from November 16 through to 18.
