Underwater Photographer Citizen Scientists We Need You!
Are you passionate about marine life, underwater photography, and giving back to your local environment? Join the Edithburgh & Wool Bay Jetties Marine Watch team as a volunteer citizen scientist and help monitor the incredible underwater ecosystems at two of South Australia’s most iconic dive sites.
We’re looking for underwater photographers to assist with monitoring activities at both Wool Bay and Edithburgh jetties taking place from September 2025 through to June 2026 (dates listed below).
The Marine Watch project is a collaborative citizen science initiative developed in response to the Harmful Algal Bloom that has significantly impacted these jetties’ vibrant marine habitats. In partnership with marine scientists, the local council, and our dive community, we aim to document the current state of underwater life and contribute valuable data to support long-term conservation efforts.
On the Saturday, volunteers will dive at Wool Bay Jetty to photograph designated jetty piles and quadrats. These images will be used to build 3D models via photogrammetry software to provide a visual record of changes over time. A full briefing will be held on the Friday evening before each monitoring weekend.
The second dive on Saturday will focus on photographing a wide range of marine species (alive and dead) for biodiversity monitoring, with images uploaded to iNaturalist to contribute to global citizen science efforts.
On Sunday, we will dive Edithburgh Jetty for further species photography dives, continuing our efforts to capture a snapshot of underwater biodiversity for uploading to iNaturalist.
Ideally, we would like volunteers to have a high-end point and shoot (ie Sony RX100 or Canon G7X) or mirrorless or DSLR camera. For mirrorless and DSLR users, we would like to you to use a full frame equivalent lens of 60mm focal length (or close to it). For lighting we would like volunteers to use video lights if they have one (we have some spares available if needed). Strobes can be used but we prefer video lights to keep exposure consistent.
We’re also looking for an onshore concierge volunteer to support the dive team and engage with members of the public, explaining what we are doing and why. We will be providing signage and brochures.
Monitoring Weekend Dates:
19 to 21 September 2025
16 to 18 January 2026
8 to 10 May 2026
17 to 19 October 2025
13 to 15 February 2026
5 to 8 June 2026
14 to 16 November 2025
13 to 15 March 2026
12 to 14 December 2025
10 to 12 April 2026
As a recipient of a DEW Coastal Protection Board Community Participation Grant, the Wool Bay component of the project has been awarded $10,000 to support its delivery. This funding enables the purchase of monitoring equipment, training resources, data management tools, public engagement activities, and digital content production. It also helps reduce out‑of‑pocket costs for volunteers participating in the program.
Each monitoring weekend begins with a Friday evening briefing covering photographic monitoring techniques, site conditions, and safety protocols. Across the weekend, volunteers complete two monitoring dives at Edithburgh and two at Wool Bay, gathering observations that contribute to ongoing monitoring and future restoration work. A relaxed Saturday night barbecue provides a chance for volunteers to connect, share insights from the dives, and learn from one another across different experience levels.
Help us protect the incredible marine environments of Wool Bay and Edithburgh. Your photos and passion can make a real difference. Contact us today (info@downunderpix.com) and come dive for science! 
