Ireland, United Kingdom
Samantha Andrews
The Shark Trust Angling Project
The Shark Trust Angling Project
Global
Samantha Andrews
SeagrassSpotter
SeagrassSpotter
Spain
Samantha Andrews
Observadores del mar: Jellyfish Alert
Observadores del mar: Jellyfish Alert
United Kingdom
Samantha Andrews
National Whale and Dolphin Watch
National Whale and Dolphin Watch
United Kingdom
Samantha Andrews
Marine Conservation Society: Big Seaweed Search
Marine Conservation Society: Big Seaweed Search

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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NeMO-Net

Location: Online

Topics include: Coral Reefs

NeMO-Net is a single player iPad game where players help NASA classify coral reefs by painting 3D and 2D images of coral. Players can rate the classifications of other players and level up in the food chain as they explore and classify coral reefs and other shallow marine environments and creatures from locations all over the world!

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National Whale and Dolphin Watch

Location: UK

Topics include: Whales; Dolphins; Porpoise

National Whale and Dolphin Watch is a week long citizen science event dedicated to studying and protecting cetaceans in UK waters. By taking part in National Whale and Dolphin Watch, the data you submit plays a invaluable role in understanding cetacean distribution, abundance, and population trends, as well as increase public awareness about the incredible whales, dolphins and porpoises that inhabit our seas. All you need to do is turn your eyes to the sea to help out!

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Mitten Crab Watch

Location: UK

Topics include: Crabs; Alien or Invasive Species

Chinese mitten crabs are officially listed as one of the World's 100 worst invasive species. They can cause damage to fishing gear and river banks, block intake screens, modify natural habitats and compete with native species. It is this economic and ecological damage that makes this crab such an unwelcome arrival. The full extent of these exotic pests in English and Welsh waters is currently unclear and a consortium of research institutes is requesting mitten crab sightings from members of the public, anglers and waterway workers, to clarify the distribution of this species.

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Marine Metre Squared

Location: New Zealand

Topics include: Marine Life

The Marine Metre Squared (Mm2) project has been developed by the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre, Department of Marine Science, University of Otago. The aim of the project is to encourage communities to get involved in long-term monitoring of the seashore, to raise awareness of biodiversity and changes in the marine environment, and build links between scientists, educators, schools and community/iwi groups who care about the seashore environment and want to look after it. We welcome participation from individuals, community groups and schools – anyone with an interest in the NZ seashore.

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Marine mammals in Belgium

Location: Belgium

Topics include: Whales; Dolphins; Porpoises; Animal Strandings

Collecting data on strandings and sightings of marine mammals is important as such data can provide us with a lot of information about marine mammals, their population trends, problems they face, and eventually on the condition of the marine environment in general. The aim is to gather all Belgian marine mammal observations and strandings. The Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) has been responsible for coordinating research into the strandings and cause of death of marine mammals in Belgium since the early 1990s. The institute produces annual reports on observations and strandings of marine mammals in Belgium with the collaboration of SEALIFE Blankenberge and the Universities of Liège and Ghent.

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Marine Conservation Society: Wildlife Sightings

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Location: Ireland; UK

Topics include: Marine Life; Sea Turtles; Jellies

We want to hear about the wildlife you spot at the coast and at sea, especially marine turtles and jellyfish in UK and Irish waters. Your sightings provide vital information about our ocean's inhabitants and contributes to scientific research which finds solutions to protect our seas.

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Marine Conservation Society: Seasearch

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Location: UK, Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man

Topics include: Marine Life

You could help track the health of our ocean by joining our Seasearch project and help us to protect and restore our marine environment. Seasearch is a project for recreational divers and snorkellers who want to do their bit for the marine environment by collecting information about habitats, plants and animals that they see under the water. We need Seasearch information from sites all around Britain and Ireland, including the Channel Islands and Isle of Man, so wherever you dive or snorkel, you can take part.

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Marine Conservation Society: Big Seaweed Search

Location: UK

Topics include: Seaweed

Our coast is home to an amazing variety of seaweeds. 650 different species live and grow around the UK. Discovering where and how they grow can tell us vital information about our climate. The more data we gather, the more knowledge and influence we have to fight for the future of our seas.

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Manta Matcher

Location: Global

Topics include: Skates & Rays; Manta Rays

Each manta has an individual fingerprint: the pattern of spots on its belly. Get an image or video of their “bellyprint” and we can match that pattern to mantas already in the database, or your manta might be completely new to the database. When you submit a manta identification photo, a local researcher receives a notification. This researcher will double check that the information you submitted is correct (so don’t worry if you are unsure about which species you saw!). Once a researcher is happy with all the data accompanying the identification photo, they will run the MantaMatcher algorithm. The algorithm is like facial recognition software for manta bellies.

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Litoraal Inventarisatie en Monitoring Project (LIMP)

Location: The Netherlands

Topics include: Seaweed; Marine Life

LIMP staat voor Litoraal Inventarisatie en Monitoring Project. Dit project is bedoeld om inzicht te verkrijgen in de trends en seizoenspatronen van dieren en zeewieren uit het litoraal (de zone tussen de eb- en vloedlijn) en om de verspreiding van deze soorten in kaart te brengen.

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