World Fisheries Day 21 November
World Fisheries Day
The Secret Lives
of Reef Fish
About This Survey
Healthy reefs begin with healthy fish
World Fisheries Day is marked every 21 November as a reminder that the world’s fisheries and the habitats they depend on are under real pressure. We mark it the way we know best — by getting in the water and counting what’s actually there.
Cook Island Aquatic Reserve is one of the most fish-diverse sites on the northern NSW coast. Warm and cool currents meet here, so tropical and temperate species share the same reef. On this survey we photograph and record as many of them as we can find.
You don’t need to know a wrasse from a wobbegong. Photograph the fish, and we’ll work out the species together afterwards.
Count the fish, and you learn the health of the whole reef.
21 November
to take part
welcome
iNaturalist
On the Day
What happens on the day
A single focused day of fish survey work, from briefing to upload.
01
Fish ID briefing
Meet at Fingal Head boat ramp. We run through the reef fish you are most likely to see, how to photograph them so they can actually be identified, and the survey method for the day.
02
Transect survey
Snorkel or dive the reserve in buddy pairs, working set transects and photographing every fish species encountered — common and rare alike.
03
Upload & identify
Back on shore we upload to iNaturalist and start identification, adding the day’s records to the long-term Cook Island dataset.
Cook Island Aquatic Reserve · Tweed Coast NSW
What to Bring
Come prepared for a day in the water
We provide the briefing, survey sheets and coordination. You bring yourself and the basics.
- Mask, snorkel and fins — or add gear hire for $20 when you book, and we supply mask, fins, snorkel and wetsuit
- Underwater camera, GoPro or phone housing
- Wetsuit — 3mm minimum recommended
- Sun protection: rashie, hat, reef-safe sunscreen
- Water and a snack
- iNaturalist account set up beforehand
Event Details
Meeting Point
Fingal Head Boat Ramp, NSW
Date
Sat 21 November 2026
Start Time
6:30–8:30am QLD time
Cost
$119 per person
19 per person
Gear
Bring your own, or +$20
Skill Level
No experience needed
Platform
iNaturalist
Group Size
Limited — get in touch early
Surveys run weather and sea-conditions permitting. Participants receive a conditions update the day before.
21 November
Come count fish with us
Get in touch and we’ll send you the meeting details and what to expect on the day.