Citizen scientists discover new algae species on threatened Tarkine coastline

Scientists have uncovered a marine species hiding in plain sight along Tasmania’s ancient coastline, proving how much remains undiscovered in this pristine ecosystem. The latest:

A wombat spotted at Bob Brown Foundation Tarkanya Bioblitz 2025. Picture: Karen Keefe

Citizen scientists have found a species of algae never before seen in Tasmania as part of an annual “bioblitz”, after scientists, volunteers and naturalists conducted extensive field studies in the Tarkine over the weekend.

Dr Nick Fitzgerald co-founder of Takayna BioBlitz said the citizen science program had already recorded more than 400 species of plants, animals and fungi and he expected the total to rise after further surveys are conducted and catalogued on Sunday.

“Australia’s longest running BioBlitz is a citizen science project that continues to build our knowledge of the extraordinary values of Takayna,” he said.

“Our biodiversity surveys show how much more there is to discover in Takayna, so we will continue this important citizen science work to demonstrate just how special and under threat this region is.”

Bob Brown Foundation Tarkanya Bioblitz 2025. Picture: Susan Wright

William Marshall-Grey, a conservationist who travelled from New South Wales to be a survey lead on the bioblitz said the observations “greatly contribute to an encyclopaedia on one of the last wild places on earth”.

He said the finding of Codium mamillosum, a species of algae not seen in Tasmania before, was proof that marine surveys on the Takayna coastline are “critical”.

“This coastline must be saved for its vital importance as an intact ecosystem,” Mr Marshall-Grey said.

Bob Brown Foundation 11th Bioblitz 2025, Picture: Karen Keefe

This weekend marked the 11th Bob Brown Foundation Takayna BioBlitz and BBF campaigns manager Jenny Weber said the organisation was proud to help hundreds of citizens take action to protect the forest that is threatened by logging and mining interests.

“Science is a central component to our Takayna campaign, including addressing the knowledge gaps in records of biodiversity in the region,” Ms Weber said.

“It’s a globally unique event in a wild ancient place with outstanding universal values.

“We are living in the climate and extinction crises, and time is up for the governments who fail to protect Takayna.”

Originally published as Citizen scientists discover new algae species on threatened Tarkine coastline