Meet the Citizen Scientists
3 minute read
From cleaning beaches to spotting seaweeds, our dedicated citizen scientists play an essential part in protecting our ocean. We meet some of the wonderful people who collect and provide vital data to help save our seas.
Credit: Diana Sellers
“We enjoy clearing the beach of debris which we know helps remove dangers for marine life. On one of our beach cleans, we had to disentangle a crab which was caught in fishing line and would have perished on the next tide. As well as cleaning our beach we were able to save a life, which was very rewarding.”
Vicki Hall
Credit: Vicki Hall
“I love getting involved with the citizen science projects run by the Marine Conservation Society. I'm a guide at Padstow Sealife Safaris, so I regularly spot marine life at work and I report any jellyfish I see.
I decided to take part in these citizen science projects because they enable me to contribute to important scientific projects and make me feel like I’m doing something to help protect our ocean.
For recent graduates like me, it’s also a great way to enhance your CV and learn new skills. I think citizen science projects are so important because everyone can take part with as much or as little involvement as they like!”
Ingrid Houwers
Seasearch
Credit: Ben Lamming
Sandra Pardoe
Big Seaweed Search
Sandra, left, and Jane Minion during a Big Seaweed Search
Credit: Caitlin Godfrey
Sandra is one of our volunteers, who took part in a Big Seaweed Search on Blue Monday, where she started to "learn the language of seaweed".
“I swim in the sea every week, so spend a lot of time on the beach. I can identify the seabirds and I’d know a seal or a dolphin if they popped up, but seaweed?! I always see it when swimming but didn't know anything about it, so when I heard about the Big Seaweed Search, I jumped at the chance.
Despite the freezing condition during the session, it did brighten up my day. We clambered over rocks, looking with purpose and getting very excited when we could identify serrated wrack!
I left the beach that day armed with my Big Seaweed Search guide, new knowledge, and a desire to get to know seaweed better. That morning has changed the way that I look at the beach forever.”
Matthew Willshire
Source to Sea
Credit: Billy Barraclough
“Keeping environments free from pollution is crucial. It allows us to protect biodiversity and maintain healthy, stable ecosystems – which is vital in the face of climate change. We're all connected to the ocean in one way or another, so it’s crucial to protect species and promote healthier ecosystems.
Cleaning up litter also keeps blue spaces like beaches and rivers clean. These areas are essential for our emotional and physical wellbeing, so keeping these spaces clean allows more people to enjoy them and feel a stronger connection to nature. Taking part in a clean meant I could do my part, however small, in protecting these areas.”
Chris Townsend
Big Seaweed Search
Credit: Chris Townsend
“I’d studied Marine Botany decades ago and love seaweeds, so felt inspired to run an annual Big Seaweed Search survey in Portscatho, Cornwall, with a group of local volunteers. Through this project, we’re able to contribute to real scientific research and help work out how climate change might be affecting seaweeds.
The Big Seaweed Search helped me stay actively involved in both science and community life – and celebrate my 70th birthday! Our surveys inspired me to run other events like Seaweed Workshops and Seaweed Pressing, raising awareness about seaweeds and climate change. Together we have put seaweeds on the map for our local natural history group Wild Roseland.”
