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Marine Citizen Science: Current state in Europe and new technological developments
Garcia-Soto, C.; Seys, J.J.C.; Zielinski, O.; Busch, J.A.; Luna, S.I.; Baez, J.S.; Domegan, C.; Dubsky, K.; Kotynska-Zielinska, I.; Loubat, P.; Malfatti, F.; Mannaerts, G.; McHugh, P.; Monestiez, P.; Van der Meeren, G.I.; Gorsky, G. (2021). Marine Citizen Science: Current state in Europe and new technological developments. Front. Mar. Sci. 8: 621472. https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.621472
In: Frontiers in Marine Science. Frontiers Media: Lausanne. e-ISSN 2296-7745
Also appears in:
Zielinski, T.; Evans, K.; Seys, J.J.C.; Carvalho, A. (Ed.) (2021). Marine observations and society: pathways to improve public engagement and the science-policy nexus. Frontiers Research Topics. Frontiers Media: Lausanne. e-ISBN 978-2-88971-927-3. 116 pp. https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/978-2-88971-927-3, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 
    Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Open access 359773 [ download pdf ]

Author keywords
    marine citizen science; inventory; European seas; smartphones; DIY;drones; AI; big data

Project Top | Authors 
  • BLUEMED Initiative

Authors  Top 
  • Garcia-Soto, C.
  • Seys, J.J.C.
  • Zielinski, O.
  • Busch, J.A.
  • Luna, S.I.
  • Baez, J.S.
  • Domegan, C.
  • Dubsky, K.
  • Kotynska-Zielinska, I.
  • Loubat, P.
  • Malfatti, F.
  • Mannaerts, G.
  • McHugh, P.
  • Monestiez, P.
  • Van der Meeren, G.I.
  • Gorsky, G.

Abstract
    Marine citizen science is emerging with promising opportunities for science, policy and public but there is still no comprehensive overview of the current state in Europe. Based on 127 projects identified for the North Sea area we estimate there might be as much as 500 marine and coastal citizen science projects running in Europe, i.e., one marine citizen science project per ∼85 km of coastline, with an exponential growth since 1990. Beach-based projects are more accessible and hence most popular (60% of the projects), and the mean duration of the projects is 18–20 years. Current trends, topics, organizers, aims, and types of programme in terms of participation are presented in this overview. Progress in marine citizen science is specially enabled and promoted through technological developments. Recent technological advances and best practise examples are provided here, untapping the potential of smart mobile apps, do-it-yourself (DIY) technologies, drones, and artificial intelligence (AI) web services.

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