Citizen Research – Sea Slug Survey Dive Trip

This trip is only open for club members who had completed the sea slug workshop the past 6th of October. 

Hey Sea Slug enthusiasts,

We’re heading down to Gold Coast Seaway for our first Sea Slug survey trip!!!!!!

📅 Sunday 15th of November!!!

• Meet at the UniDive Shed: 6:00 am

• Departure: 6:15AM sharp

• Dive format: Single dive (high tide 11:53 am).

🌊 What to Expect at the Seaway

Gold Coast Seaway is about 1.25 hr S of Brisbane. This is one of the few places in Brisbane area suitable for diving from shore. The dive is very tide dependent due to current. The river water is a good mix between salt and fresh water. Along a wall of boulders at just 10m deep of sheltered water it is a combination of marine and estuarine life. 

On this dive we will be surveying sea slugs (including Nudies!) to contribute to Ocean Connects Gold Coast database garthering important data about the welbeing of our marine ecosystem.

To participate in a Sea Slug survey dive, you must:

• • • Have completed the Sea Slug survey online workshop delivered by UniDive in collaboration with Ocean Connect.
    • Be a current UniDive member, medically fit to dive, and hold a valid UQ Swim Test Certificate.
    • Have a camera suitable for underwater macro photography, or be willing to share the cost of hiring an appropriate camera with another diver. Further details about camera requirements and hire costs and logistics will be organised as part if the trip logistics.
    • Have completed a dive within the previous 6 months.
    • Hold an Open Water certification or equivalent from a recognised training agency.
    • Dive within the limits of your certification, training, experience, and personal capabilities.
    • Have completed more than 20 logged dives and be confident with your buoyancy control, including during shallow-water dives. This is important because the surveys require you to focus on identifying and recording sea slugs while still maintaining appropriate buoyancy, monitoring your air and dive time, and maintaining awareness of your surroundings and navigation.
    • Have all required dive equipment and be familiar and competent with its use.
    • Bring your own mask, snorkel, and fins. Bring your own SMB/safety sausage, cutting device (e.g. knife or scissors), and whistle. These items cannot be hired through UniDive and must be provided by the diver.
    • If you require additional equipment such as a BCD, regulator, or wetsuit, it is your responsibility to arrange equipment hire before the trip. Equipment is typically available for hire from the UniDive shed on Thursday evenings before the trip.
    • Tanks and weights do not need to be hired separately, as these are included in the trip and will be collected from the UniDive shed on the day.
    • Follow instructions given by the Dive Supervisor, and other people in charge (such as the Boat handlers/SURFACE WATCH)
    • Help out throughout the whole day
    • Notify the Trip Organiser and Dive Supervisor asap of any changes to personal circumstances as declared in the event registration form
    • Attend the trip meeting (the Thursday beforehand at 6:15 pm at the UniDive shed

 💰 Costs $40

• Gear hire: Tanks and weights are included, all other gear rental separate.
• You must bring your own mask, snorkel, fins, SMB, a whistle and a cutting device (i.e. a diver's knife or scissors). The use of gloves is highly encouraged for this dive. 

Shore Support Needed

We need a shore support volunteer with up-to-date First Aid, CPR, and O₂ provider training.👉 If that’s you, email dive@unidive.org 

Note: Volunteering as Shore Support twice within a 6-month period will make you eligible for this training cost refund.

🚗 Carpooling

We’ll need volunteers for carpooling to make this happen. Please indicate when registering if you can help.

When carpooling, petrol costs can be reimbursed. Please fill up your tank before and after the event, and email your fuel receipts to the Trip Organiser for reimbursement.

If you have any questions about the trip, please contact the dive officer at dive@unidive.org.

Let’s make it a great dive and a sea slug fabulous day! 🌞