Spot A Shark

Location: Australia

Topics include: Diving/Snorkeling; Sharks

Spot A Shark is a citizen-science program that engages anyone who spends time with Grey Nurse Sharks in the water and can assist our research along East Australian coast. Divers, snorkelers, and others are asked to photograph encounters with Grey Nurse sharks and post their images to the Spot A Shark website. Scientists then use unique spot patterns visible along the sides of the photographed sharks to identify individual animals. Identifying individual Grey Nurse sharks helps track shark movement, monitor overall health of the population, and help monitor behaviour and changes at local aggregation sites over time. This information is used by Spot A Shark researchers, as well as international partners, to facilitate management decisions aimed towards conserving our Critically Endangered population of Grey Nurse sharks. By supporting this project, you are helping researchers gather valuable data, which may help provide long-term protection for the Grey Nurse sharks and their habitats.

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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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Dive NI

Location: Northern Ireland

Topics include: Marine Life; Diving

Report Your Sightings! Records of marine species from people exploring the sea around Northern Ireland are vital for monitoring and protecting our local marine environment.

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Adopt a Wreck

Location: UK

Topics include: Wrecks; Diving; Heritage

The Adopt a Wreck scheme was originally devised in 2000 with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The scheme serves as a way of encouraging the public to actively record the sites they are visiting and everyone who has adopted a site is encouraged to submit their work for the annual Adopt a Wreck Award.

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