Citizen-Science Underwater: 2025 Great Victorian Fish Count at Simple Dive

2025 Great Victorian Fish Count – First Event of the Year with Simple Dive Melbourne

This Sunday at 10 am, Simple Dive is hosting our first major community event of 2025 – the Great Victorian Fish Count, co-organised with the Victorian National Parks Association. This is one of the biggest citizen-science marine projects in Victoria, running each year across November and December.

Divers with Open Water certification and comfortable buoyancy control are encouraged to join. It is a relaxed, low-stress shore dive focused on observation and species recording, ideal for newer divers and perfect for anyone wanting to get more involved with Melbourne’s ocean environment.

Why This Event Matters

Each year, hundreds of divers and snorkellers jump into the water across Victoria to help record local fish species. The data collected by participants is uploaded to the Atlas of Living Australia, contributing to a national biodiversity database used by researchers and conservation teams.

Taking part in the Great Victorian Fish Count helps to:

Improve our understanding of how fish communities are changing along Victoria’s coastline.
Identify unusual or range-extending species that may indicate broader environmental shifts.
Support long-term monitoring of key marine protected areas.

For individual divers, it is also a great way to develop skills in:

Fish identification and underwater observation.
Stable buoyancy and slow-movement techniques.
Situational awareness in typical Melbourne conditions.

What You Will Do During the Fish Count

On the day, divers work in small teams with:

A laminated fish identification slate.
A simple species checklist for key Victorian reef fish.
A dive plan tailored to the conditions at the chosen site.

You will spend most of the dive moving slowly along the reef, recording:

Common species such as wrasse, leatherjackets and goatfish.
Indicator species that are important for long-term monitoring.
Any unusual or less frequently seen species.

No scientific background is required – just safe diving habits and the ability to maintain good buoyancy while you observe and record.

Event Details

Date: Sunday 23 November 2025
Time: 10 AM
Organiser: Simple Dive Melbourne
Type: Citizen-science shore dive
Level Required: Open Water or above
Cost: Free (but booking is essential)
Location: Mornington Pier

Please ensure you are comfortable in Melbourne ocean conditions and bring appropriate exposure protection for Victorian water temperatures.

What to Bring

Your standard scuba kit.
A 7mm wetsuit or drysuit suitable for Melbourne conditions.
A hooded vest if you feel the cold.
Slate and pencil (provided as part of the event if you do not have your own).
An SMB with hand spool or reel.
Gloves.

If you need rental gear or an air fill, our team at Simple Dive, 21 Indra Road, Blackburn South, VIC 3130 can help you organise everything before Sunday.

How to Prepare

Before the Day

Check that your equipment is serviced and functioning correctly.
Review common Victorian reef fish species – our staff can recommend good ID guides.
Confirm your air fills and any rental gear you require.
Register your attendance so we can arrange groups and logistics.

On the Day

Arrive 15–20 minutes early for gear checks and briefing.
Listen carefully to the site and safety briefing.
Join your allocated team and agree on the dive plan.
Complete a relaxed dive.

Join the 2025 Great Victorian Fish Count with Simple Dive

If you love Melbourne diving and want your dives to contribute to something bigger, this is an ideal way to get involved. You will gain confidence in local conditions, improve your fish ID skills and become part of a growing community of divers who care about Victoria’s marine environment.

To secure your place, RSVP via our Facebook event or contact us through simpledive.com.au. You can also visit us in person at 21 Indra Road, Blackburn South, VIC 3130 to discuss gear, training and upcoming club dives.

Want more Melbourne diving tips? Explore our other articles such as how to prepare for your open water course in Melbourne or check out our Simple Dive Club page for regular local dive activities.