Sea slugs are ornate and attractive marine invertebrates to the public but their diversity and ecology in Hong Kong is poorly documented. The past effort by our research team based on reviewing of previous records and engagement of citizen scientists compiled a checklist of Hong Kong sea slug with a total of 257 species from 126 genera. More importantly, 71 records are new to Hong Kong and 7 species have not been reported elsewhere from Hong Kong (See “An Updated Checklist of Sea Slugs (Gastropoda, Heterobranchia) from Hong Kong Supported by Citizen Science”.)

In this study, we conduct a joint effort programme based on research by academia and input from citizen scientists to comprehend our understanding on Hong Kong sea slug diversity and ecology. The research team conducts extensive sea slug surveys at 43 selected locations covering the Eastern, Southern and Central waters in Hong Kong.
 

In the citizen scientist project, the public are encouraged to submit their sea slug sighting data to our online platform for data collection. This information contributes to the available and updates to species checklist of sea slugs in Hong Kong, as well as abundance and distribution that can serve as baseline information for longer term monitoring programme or conservation policy decision. Overall, this study will not only have an important contribution in the scientific research area, but also provide reference materials which will help in promoting the rich biodiversity that Hong Kong harbours. Furthermore, this study will compile an identification tool (online photo database), which can serve as reference and educational materials to introduce the wide diversity of sea slugs present in local waters.