Surfing for Science

Location: Spain

Topics include: Litter

Surfing for Science is a pioneering initiative to assess the level of microplastic pollution in shoreline waters. Citizens participate in the project by collecting scientific samples whilst paddle surfing. The final objective is twofold: knowing how much and what type of microplastics are present in coastline waters will help us find solutions to reduce their impact; we would also hope that society becomes more scientifically aware of the problems that plastic pollution generates.

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Observadores del mar: Syngnathids

Location: Spain

Topics include: Diving; Seahorses; Pipefish

Seahorses and pipefish are species that are closely connected to their environment. They are not very mobile and they have a particular form of reproduction in which the males incubate the eggs. These characteristics make them animals that are very sensitive to changes to their habitat, and they are often threatened by human activity. If you dive, you can do a lot to protect these astounding creatures. Report the presence and abundance of seahorse and pipefish species in your area, take photos and describe the habitat of these animals. You can also follow the evolution of their populations over time.

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Observadores del mar: Sharks and Rays

Location: Spain

Topics include: Sharks; Skates and Rays

Sharks and rays are a very diverse group and constitute a key element in the regulation of coastal and oceanic marine ecosystems. At present, it is one of the groups most threatened with extinction in the world, so the protection of these species should be considered a priority. The main causes that have led to the decline in populations of sharks and rays around the world are overfishing and the degradation of habitats. The main objective of the project is to determinate the areas where inhabit the different sharks and rays species, especially those that are threatened with extinction. Sharks and rays are not very abundant, but you can see them from a boat, from the beach or underwater. If you see any, you can take photographs or videos that serve as evidence of their presence. You can also report their abundance, location and other aspects that seem relevant to you.

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Observadores del mar: Seagrass in Reproduction

Location: Spain

Topics include: Seagrass

Phanerogamae form seagrass fields, which play a key role in the Mediterranean ecosystem. They are the home for a range of species, help keep the water clean, cushion surges and reduce beach erosion. However, activities such as anchoring boats, coastal infrastructure and pollution are reducing seagrass fields in many areas. On the beach or in the water, if you can find flowers or fruit of any of the phanerogamae species, fragments of rarer species or a noteworthy impact affecting seagrass fields, take photos to provide evidence and report what you have observed.

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Observadores del mar: Seabirds

Location: Spain

Topics include: Seabirds

In spite of the large amount of observations performed by the birdwatching community around the world, information about the presence of birds out at sea is scarce in comparison. Gathering data about birds out at sea has great value in studying the conditions of their habitats and their relationship with the marine environment. If you have some ornithological knowledge and go sailing, you can contribute a lot to the project. Identify the birds in different parts of the sea in different seasons of the year, spot iconic, protected or endangered species, and report on unusual behaviour you may detect or distribution changes.

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Observadores del mar: Pen Shells

Location: Spain

Topics include: Diving; Mussels

Fan mussels (Pinna nobilis) are bivalve molluscs that are endemic to the Mediterranean and live in Posidonia oceanica fields. They can reach 40 years of age. Since autumn 2016, a pathogen has caused the mortality of fan mussels to rocket. This impact comes together with other threats such as pollution, fishing and degradation of their habitat. If you dive and find fan mussels, dead or alive, report their location, depth and health condition. Your observation is crucial to expand our knowledge of this problem. You can also report the presence of Pinna rudis, another fan mussel species, which is not threatened but less known.

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Observadores del mar: Microplastic Watchers

Location: Spain

Topics include: Litter

More than 60% of the waste built up in the sea and on the coast of the planet is plastic. This material is very long-lasting but it also tends to break up into increasingly smaller particles called microplastics that can enter the food cycle as many marine organisms confuse them with food. If you are an educational centre, an association or another group, get fully involved in researching and monitoring microplastics on the beaches in our sampling network. Diagnosing the build-up of micro-plastics gives visibility to the problem and its effects on the ecosystem.

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Observadores del mar: Mediterranean Fishes

Location: Spain

Topics include: Marine Life

Today we still do not know many details about the habitats and distribution of fish species in the Mediterranean. Moreover, some species are particularly sensitive to increases in the sea temperature and in response they modify their population distribution, which makes them indicators of climate change. If you dive, snorkel or fish, you can expand our knowledge of fish. Take photos of species that are indicators of climate change, gather data about their abundance and location, and report unknown fish, cases of mass mortality, variations to their distribution and alteration to their habitat.

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Observadores del mar: Marine Litter

Location: Spain

Topics include: Litter

Marine waste is a global problem with a direct impact on seas and oceans around the world. Poorly managed waste ends up in the sea from rivers or directly from maritime trade, fishing and other activities. This waste concentrates on coasts, in estuaries and on the seabed and may persist for thousands of years. If you dive, fish or frequently visit the coast, you can provide very valuable information. Take photos of the waste built up on beaches, in estuaries, on the seabed or in your fishing net. Estimate its density and report the habitats where you found it and the creatures in contact with it.

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Observadores del mar: Jellyfish Alert

Location: Spain

Topics include: Jellies

Many different native species of jellyfish live in the Mediterranean. Some of the populations proliferate at certain times of year, which can have an impact on marine ecosystems and human activities as they are organisms that sting. You can contribute to monitoring jellyfish on the coast or in open sea. Take photos of those you find on the sand on the beach or those you observe in the sea during the summer and the rest of the year. If you detect a proliferation of these animals, report it.

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Observadores del mar: Invasive Algae

Location: Spain

Topics include: Alien or Invasive Species; Seaweed

The entry of exotic algal species in the Mediterranean is increasing, a process that is worsening due to human activity. One example of this is Caulerpa cylindracea, one of the invasive species that has the greatest impact due to factors such as mechanical destruction of marine habitats and excess nutrients, among others. If you dive or snorkel you can expand the information we have about invasive algae. When you see a target species or one you have never seen before, take a photo to help identify it and send details about its environment. If you visit the same area, you will contribute to assessing the expansion of identified species.

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Observadores del mar: Hidden Deserts

Location: Spain

Topics include: Diving/Snorkeling; Marine Life

Algal forests are fundamental ecosystems that provide a refuge and food for many marine species. Various factors such as overfishing, invasive fish and climate change are contributing to their disappearance. Underwater deserts or algae-free zones take their place, leaving exposed rocky areas with barely any production or biodiversity. If you dive, you can get involved in monitoring underwater deserts. Locate algae-free zones, take photos and state their location and size. Gather data at different times of year and report the presence of indicator species, such as sea urchins, salpa and rabbitfish

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Observadores del mar: Decapod Crustaceans

Location: Spain

Topics include: Crabs; Shrimps; Lobsters; Prawns; Crustaceans

Decapoda are a group of crustacea that includes crabs, shrimps, lobsters, prawns and hermit crabs, among other species. It is a very diverse group but also little-known. In the Mediterranean there are some very common and very rare species, and others that are invasive. On the coast or in the water you can gather valuable information about decapoda. Take photos of them in their habitat and during various stages of development, identify invasive species or report any anomalies you detect, such as mass mortality or variations in reproduction.

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Observadores del mar: Climate Fish

Location: Spain

Topics include: Climate Change; Fish; Marine Life

Climate change is rapidly changing the identity of Mediterranean fauna and flora favoring the success of warm water species while putting at risk the fate of cold affinity organisms. Fishes are among the best indicators to monitor this phenomenon. Help us to track their abundance on a regular basis and get informed on Climate Change impacts! If you are a diver or snorkeler with a good skill in fish recognition you can help us monitoring a selected number of coastal fish species along a transect of 5 minutes. Have a look at our standard protocol and start count fishes!

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Observadores del mar: Alien fishes

Location: Spain

Topics include: Alien or Invasive Species; Fish

The arrival and establishment of a species from another region of the world can alter the ecology of local communities. In the Mediterranean, an important entry route for tropical fish is the Suez Canal. In 2000, the species Fistularia comersonii was found for the first time and it has now reached the Iberian coastline. If you dive or fish, you can detect the arrival and expansion of exotic species and contribute to their monitoring. Take photos of fish you do not recognise or any invasive species described, and report their abundance, location and other simple but relevant aspects.

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