The Great Goolwa Cockle Challenge a great success!

More than 450 people braved the hot and windy conditions to become citizen scientists during The Great Goolwa Cockle Challenge on Saturday. The mission was to find as many of the 2500 uniquely tagged cockles that were released prior to the event.

In a great result, 160 were found during the event and more than 30 have been found since. This free community event was a fantastic success and it was great to see so many families out enjoying the beach and learning more about the species. The major prize of four nights’ accommodation (donated by Waves Edge, Goolwa) was won by youngster Jared Croger and family (pictured with Dad and The Great Goolwa Cockle Challenge organiser, NGT’s Sylvia Zukowski).

The project is providing some interesting early results with two cockles recaptured 59 and 79 days after being released  (with growth of 1mm per month) and one being detected 300m from the location where it was tagged. The Great Goolwa Cockle Challenge was funded by a SA Recreational Fishing Grant and with support from the Alexandrina Council, Goolwa PiPiCo, Olaf Hansen, South Coast Marine, Fishing SA Magazine, Goolwa Surf Lifesaving Club, Bildlife Australia, Fishcare Volunteers SA, the South Australian Whale Centre and Waves Edge, Goolwa.

People are encouraged to provide details of any more tagged cockles that are found to Sylvia Zukowski on 0438 815 489 or email Sylvia (). We will be out monitoring populations along Goolwa Beach in early February.