Logistics

• Adapt scientific methods to user-friendly alternatives that require little technical expertise. 
• Depending on the research, volunteers may need to be highly skilled or need to perform additional training in scientific monitoring.
• Create educational guides on the best practices when interacting with marine life.

Legal

• Obtain the proper local and/or national permits especially when working in marine protected areas.
• Secure appropriate insurance for both the participants and the organization. 
• Develop clear safety guidelines to ensure safe diving practices. 

Materials required:

Diving equipment 

• Mask, snorkel, fins
• Wetsuits
• Scuba tanks 
• Underwater compass
• Underwater lights

Tools for data collection

• Underwater cameras
• Sample containers
• GPS

Digital tool for data collection, data analysis

• Data management software 
• Data visualization tools 

Training resources

• Species identification guides 
• Online training
• Manuals and/or field guides 

Steps of implementation

While the steps of implementation will vary depending on the research project, various case studies suggest that the following framework is a good foundation for developing citizen diver projects. 

1. Develop clear research questions: Identify specific, measurable scientific questions that can be addressed in underwater observation and data collection. 
2. Gather an interdisciplinary team of experts: Gather a team of various experts such as marine biologists, data scientists , educators, and diving experts. Define and communicate the roles and responsibilities of each group. 
3. Create, test and refine educational materials needed to perform the research: This involves developing clear educational materials such as species identification, protocol manuals, data sheets, and safety protocols. 
4. Recruit citizen divers: Engage with divers through diver centers, marine conservation organizations, and social media. Educate them about the objective of the project and the main tasks that will be performed. 
5. Train citizen divers: Conduct classes and manuals on how to use tools, as well as collect and record data. 
6. Gather and review data: Establish an easy way for citizen divers to submit the collected data. Additionally, have scientific experts review the data collected by the citizen divers. Scientific experts will also cross reference comparable data from other studies. 
7. Analyze data: Identify trends and patterns in the data collected. This will mostly be done by scientific experts, however, citizen divers can also be involved in the early stages of data analysis. 
8. Share results: Communicate research findings through reports, articles, presentations, infographics and social media posts. 
9. Measure outcomes: Use follow up surveys, interviews, or follow up studies to assess the social and scientific impact of the research project.   

Considerations for application:

• Citizen science is only a reliable form of research when the data provided aligns with data that has been collected through scientific monitoring. 
• Maintaining and monitoring scientific rigor and data quality is challenging and proper validation techniques need to be established by using picture or video evidence for backup. 

This intervention contributes to:

While the cost of marine research can vary greatly depending on its scope and objectives, it often requires resources such as time, funding, and specialised scientific knowledge. Thus, involving citizens through diver based citizen science may be an effective way to collect important data while addressing some of the logistic issues that arise in marine research. Citizen science has the potential to provide scientific information in a cost-effective way, especially when it comes to photo documentation, biodiversity monitoring, and habitat surveys. Thus, citizen diver projects can generate large volumes of observational data that otherwise would be done by highly trained professionals. However, expert oversight and validation is always needed to ensure accuracy and scientific reliability. 

One case study analysed the costs associated with the first year of a low-cost citizen science campaign called NEMA, which focused on tracking the rapid spread of the invasive Atlantic blue crab along the southern coast of Portugal. The study created a cost-benefit analysis based on three factors: 1) costs associated with creating outreach platforms such as social media and email, 2) costs of maintenance of social media and email accounts and 3) costs related to gathering data and information from citizen scientists. Overall, the total cost of the campaign’s first year was estimated to be €3,751.47 while hiring professionals to run the social media and collect data would have cost between €29,815.58 and €153,485.58.

1. Contribution of citizen science to marine zoology in Japan

In this case study from the northwestern Sea of Japan, local diver and underwater photographer Andrey Shpatak played a key role in the discovery of a new nudibranch species, Dendronotus shpataki—named in his honor. As the first to observe and document the species, Shpatak contributed a valuable collection of underwater photographs along with detailed observations on its abundance and ecological behavior. His contributions provided critical insights that supported researchers in conducting both morphological and molecular analyses. This collaboration highlights the significant role citizen divers can play in advancing marine biodiversity research, particularly in documenting and identifying lesser-known species like nudibranchs.

2. Sea Slug Norway

This project aims to explore the diversity and ecological role of sea slugs along the southern coast of Norway—an area that has seen little scientific attention despite being known as an area for foreign species in temperate waters. By collaborating with researchers from several universities and engaging marine enthusiasts through a citizen science initiative, the project combines academic expertise with community involvement to enhance data collection and coordination. Over the course of the study, citizen scientists contributed by photographing sea slugs in their natural habitats, leading to the identification of 93 different species. Out of the 93, 19 of these were recorded in Norway for the first time, and a few appear to be entirely new to science.

Webinars 

• PREP4BLUE Citizen Engagement Webinar 

External sources 

• Example of Citizen Science Data Platform
• Marine Conservation Society: Citizen Science Projects
• Advancing Citizen Science for Coastal and Ocean Research
• How can you quality assure a citizen?  
• Additional case study 

Videos

• Stewards of the Deep  
• The Crucial Role of Citizen Scientists in Ocean Conservation