A beautifully illustrated new playing card game is sparking curiosity across New South Wales, inviting families, students and ocean enthusiasts to explore the wonders of our remarkable marine life and deepen understanding with every hand they play.
Marine Match NSW alongside the spectacular NSW marine estate, image courtesy of Curtis Champion
Developed by the Marine Estate Management Strategy (MEMS) Initiative 3 Climate Change Citizen Science project, the deck features 14 iconic marine species, each brought to life in vibrant watercolour illustrations. Each card combines art with science, offering bite-sized facts and descriptions curated by marine experts.
Designed for all ages, the cards can be used to play familiar favourites like memory, matching pairs and go fish. But beyond the fun, the cards carry a deeper message, how climate change is reshaping our coastal ecosystems.
Two species included in the deck, coral trout and branching coral, are worth double points, drawing attention to evidence that both are migrating further south as ocean temperatures warm along the NSW coast in response to climate change.
“Visually appealing and fun educational resources hold enormous potential to enhance ocean literacy, and in this case convey information about marine climate change to players of all ages,” said project lead Dr Curtis Champion.
“This resource features a collection of iconic and charismatic species from eastern Australia, which is important for place-based learning and developing a deeper understanding of our local ecosystems.”
The cards have already proven popular with schools, libraries, community groups and attendees at recent public events, who received decks to enjoy and share.
“The cards are immensely popular and provide a great way to get the family together and learn all about the amazing marine life that call the NSW marine estate home,” said Chantelle Burns, Manager Marine Estate Education.
This educational resource is a collaboration between the MEMS Climate Change Citizen Science project and Redmap Australia (redmap.org.au) the national range extension database and mapping initiative based at the University of Tasmania.
A limited number of decks are available through the NSW Marine Estate Education Strategy. Find out more at .
