Coastal Nautical tourism: a key actor of citizen marine science

Did you know that as a recreational boater or diver, you have the opportunity to contribute to scientific research on the ocean and coasts, while also supporting sustainable tourism in Europe?

Europe boasts a 70,000 km of coastline, teeming with diverse marine ecosystems and abundant biodiversity. But our coastal regions are under threat, facing mounting challenges such as climate change, pollution, and overexploitation. Protecting our coastal seas and harnessing their resources sustainably (essential for the energy transition and increasing protein sources), is a monumental task for our generation and the next. This urgent mission demands new knowledge and a densification of observation and data that cannot be generated by the scientific community alone. It requires more hands, creating the opportunity for citizens to actively contribute to safeguarding our shared heritage.

Citizen science is a growing movement that allows individuals to actively participate in collecting data for scientific research. By working with researchers, and performing observations of the ocean, you can help protect and sustainably exploit our ocean resources, while deepening your own understanding of the sea and its ecosystem. Whether you're measuring water quality, documenting marine species, or collecting data on ocean currents, your contribution will help scientists and policymakers better understand and manage our oceans.

Coastal nautical tourism and marinas provide an ideal platform for recreational sailors and scuba divers to engage in citizen science initiatives, while also supporting local economies.

Examples of the many citizen science projects out there are:

• The Ocean Sampling Day project aims to collect water samples from around the world on the same day. Participants collect water samples and document the sampling process, providing valuable data on microbial biodiversity in the ocean.
• The Seasearch project trains citizen scientists to document and report on the marine life they encounter while diving. The data collected is used to inform conservation efforts and improve our understanding of marine ecosystems.
• The CleanSea project engages citizens in monitoring marine litter and documenting its impact on marine wildlife. The data collected is used to inform policy and management strategies for reducing marine litter.

The European Union has been at the forefront of promoting citizen science initiatives, leading to a growing number of research projects that include citizen science, providing a stream of new opportunities for boaters and marina teams to engage in and contribute to science.

Recreational sailors can be provided with scientific sensors and tools (Apps), allowing them to perform high-quality measurements of key marine parameters (e.g., sea temperature, water quality, oxygen content, pH, and many more).

Likewise, scuba divers can take part in training to recognise marine fauna and flora and be equipped with technology for registering their observations on scientific data platforms.

As a stakeholder in nautical tourism, you are uniquely positioned to contribute to ocean and coastal science in Europe. By participating in citizen science projects, you can make a real difference for the health of our oceans and the planet. So why not get involved today and start making a difference?

References for further reading:

Garcia-Soto, C., et al.  (2017) Advancing Citizen Science for Coastal and Ocean Research. French, V., Kellett, P., Delany, J., McDonough, N. [Eds.] Position Paper 23 of the European Marine Board, Ostend, Belgium. 112pp. ISBN: 978-94-92043-30-6

Sherbinin A, Bowser A, Chuang T-R, Cooper C, Danielsen F, Edmunds R, Elias P, Faustman E, Hultquist C, Mondardini R, Popescu I, Shonowo A and Sivakumar K (2021) The Critical Importance of Citizen Science Data. Front. Clim. 3:650760. doi: 10.3389/fclim.2021.650760

Garcia-Soto C, et al. (2021) Marine Citizen Science: Current State in Europe and New Technological Developments. Front. Mar. Sci. 8:621472. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.621472