Friends of Gulf St Vincent believe razorfish (Pinna dolabrata) may now be functionally extinct in Gulf St Vincent due to the recent harmful algal bloom. A species is functionally extinct when its population falls so low that it can no longer fulfil its ecological role or sustain a viable breeding population.
Surveys of intertidal populations in eastern Gulf St Vincent and reliable anecdotal reports from citizen scientists, aquaculturalists and fishers along the western shores, indicate almost complete decimation of intertidal razorfish beds. Any remaining razorfish beds are likely to be found only in the deeper, subtidal regions of the gulf. We need your help in confirming the health of these razorfish populations.
Friends of Gulf St Vincent are offering two $500 rewards (eastern GSV and western GSV) for the location of healthy viable razorfish beds within Gulf St Vincent waters which can be monitored for recovery. We are defining these as:
- 3-5 razorfish per square metre
- A bed in less than 10m water depth, roughly 10m by 10m in size
- Over 60% of the razorfish are alive.
Terms and Conditions
- Both rewards are available until end April 2027.
- Photographic evidence, site description and precise GPS co-ordinates are required for entry.
- One reward for each region (Eastern and Western Gulf St Vincent) will be paid after the bed has been confirmed.
- Friends of Gulf St Vincent will decide if the bed qualifies for the reward. You must be willing to assist with confirmation requests which may require revisiting the site.
- The first person to report a qualifying bed wins the reward for that bed.
- There is no entry fee.
- The total reward money is capped at $1000
- Friends of Gulf St Vincent accepts no responsibility for your actions on or under the water, please take care out there and act responsibly.
Send your photographic evidence of the beds and GPS position to friendsofgulfstvincent@gmail.com
Identification and locations of largely deceased razorfish beds, although not valid for a reward, would also greatly assist our survey and research efforts, as would information about beds with ANY live razorfish in them - add an estimate of those you found alive.
If you know of, or suspect, razorfish beds but don’t dive and don’t have an underwater camera or drone, we recommend teaming up with divers who have cameras to claim the reward. Divers can also more easily confirm whether the razorfish are still alive.
Updates on successful reward winners will be posted on the Friends of Gulf St Vincent Facebook page.