Citizen Scientists

Citizen scientists can improve the waters around us and support scientific initiatives.

Volunteering is a great way to provide useful services to your community. One type of volunteer work that has become very popular in recent years is that of a citizen scientist. You don’t have to be a scientist to do this, but you will learn a lot. According to the dictionary, citizen science is “the collection and analysis of data relating to the natural world by members of the general public.” You work with scientists who instruct you in the processes of data collections and help you understand the importance and how
it aids in solving real-world problems.

Although there are no precise numbers, millions of citizen scientists around the world are involved in fields from astronomy to medicine to weather. Opportunities are almost everywhere; interested boaters will find many in coastal locations as well as on and under the water.

There are numerous organizations for people to get involved, including the Citizen Science Organization, and participation can be right from your backyard or boat. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) even has a “Citizen Science Day,” along with several volunteer programs. Weather conditions are a major concern for the comfort and the safety of people out on the water and along the coast.

Volunteer Opportunities

The MARS Program (MArine Reporting Stations) primarily involves U.S. Coast Guard Group Stations but also has some civilian volunteers. They report marine weather conditions from shore locations to the National Weather Service (NWS).
Commercial vessels with licensed crews can participate in the Voluntary Observing Ship (VOS) Program. These “official observations” are coded into a special format recognized internationally and are crucial to coastal and high seas marine forecasts.
Both commercial and recreational mariners can take part in the NWS MAROB (MARine OBservation) Program. A subset of the VOS initiative, MAROB still uses coded observations but not as detailed as a full VOS report.
The MAREP (MArine REPort) Program does not require specific training and relies on plain language observations of coastal weather conditions by mariners.
A number of coastal NWS Forecast Offices have a Marine Weather Spotters Program. Volunteers are trained to recognize significant weather and ocean conditions and report them to the NWS which can then issue appropriate warnings to the public. Of particular concern are thunderstorms, waterspouts, fog, high winds, unusually strong currents or high tides, and generally rough seas. Basic training is provided free by the NWS.

To participate in any of these National Marine Sanctuaries (NMSs) have many volunteer opportunities, especially with marine organisms.

What do citizen scientists do?

Depending on the location, citizen scientists may monitor water quality, observe and record sightings of various wildlife and marine species, help restore reefs, and more. Contact your nearest NMS for specifics. The Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) was designed to provide data for effective management of fisheries. Anglers and boat captains help researchers by participating in surveys. Questions deal with the number of fishing trips taken and the amount and type of fish caught.

There are even questions about the weather. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Council (FWC)
supplements the MRIP surveys with its own Gulf Reef Fish Survey for anglers in the Gulf, who can mail in the survey or use its phone app. FWC biologists may interview you at dockside or even come along with you on boat trips.

Working with Marine Life

In terms of sightings, there are two species of particular concern: whales and sharks. Several of the NMS locations encourage whale watchers to report their sightings. Whale Alert is a group that tracks whales to lessen the danger of collision with large ships. Mariners and the general public can use an app to record whale sightings. In the Southeastern U.S., you can also use the Dolphin & Whale 911 app to report any injured or entangled marine mammal.

Report shark encounters to Support Our Sharks through its SharkBase Citizen Science program. For the more adventurous, there are shark-hunting expeditions, like the University of Miami’s Shark Research Conservation trips where you can accompany marine biologists on board to catch, record, and tag sharks. The Shark Trust encourages you to record empty shark egg cases you may find.

*Volunteers may monitor water quality or track marine life populations.*

On a smaller, but no less important, scale, NOAA has the Phytoplankton Monitoring Network (PMN) which collects data on potentially damaging algal blooms. Volunteers are taught how to collect and analyze samples using provided tools and equipment. Results are sent to a central office where their findings are verified and distributed as necessary.
A similar Texas-based group of volunteers who call themselves the Red Tide Rangers test for the presence of K. brevis, the red tide algae.

Coral Restoration

Protecting endangered coral reefs has gained a lot of attention in recent years. The University of Miami runs Rescue a Reef expeditions where UM researchers bring recreational divers and snorkelers along on coral restoration projects. The Coral Restoration Foundation is working on fully restoring eight reef sites along the Florida Reef Track. The foundation is actively seeking divers on the reefs to collect and transmit data to them.

Hello Ocean welcomes recreational sailors and others to take readings on ocean acidification, a major factor in coral reef destruction.

This is far from a complete list of citizen science endeavors, but you can see there are abundant opportunities to become a citizen scientist.

By Ed Brotak, Southern Boating September 2019

Marine Education

Boaters know the value of healthy oceans better than almost anyone. Whether your interest is fishing or cruising, no one wants to do it in unhealthy water. Get schooled and brush up on some basic marine education.

September is when schools get back in session, but it’s also a time along the Southeast Coast to learn more about marine education.

Florida Oceanographic Society

A nonprofit organization with the mission to inspire environmental stewardship of Florida’s coastal areas through education, research, and advocacy, the Florida Oceanographic Society offers educational programs to the public. Its 57-acre marine life nature center on Hutchinson Island in Stuart, Florida, between the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean, conducts research and restoration programs for the improvement of the regional coastal ecosystems. Presentations educate the public on environmental issues, such as protecting coastal ecosystems and marine life.

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute

Founded in 1971 as a premier marine research facility in Fort Pierce, Florida, Harbor Branch is part of Florida Atlantic University. The mission of its team of scientists, engineers, students, staff, and volunteers is to use ocean science to help create a better world. Harbor Branch-FAU’s Ocean Discovery Visitors Center offers a variety of educational opportunities along with a lecture series that enables the community to learn about the marine environment and the important research conducted by the institute.

Smithsonian Marine Station

As part of the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum, the Marine Station, also located in Fort Pierce, Florida, is a research facility focusing on the marine ecosystems unique to Florida’s offshore waters and the Indian River Lagoon. The facility’s programs study the biodiversity, life histories, and ecology of marine organisms in the lagoon and oceanic waters of Florida’s Treasure Coast. On the third Thursday of each month, the center opens its doors to the public to share its current research projects. The center also holds public lectures throughout the winter where scientists present their work.

Mote Marine Laboratory at Florida Keys History & Discovery Center

Research and environmental stewardship are two tenets of Mote Marine Laboratory.

Mote Marine Laboratory comprises scientists and explorers acting as stewards of the ocean. They are driven by research and education to create a better environment for generations to come. Their belief is: “The answers are in the ocean, and together we will find them.” The Mote Laboratory field station at the Florida Keys Discovery Center in Islamorada, Florida, provides a beautiful and educational view of the unique coral reef ecosystem of the Florida Keys and the challenges it faces.

The University of North Carolina, Institute of Marine Sciences: UNC-IMS operates a research facility in Morehead City, North Carolina. The Institute’s mission is to serve the
public by conducting cutting-edge research, training young scientists, and providing expertise to governmental agencies and industry. Each Thursday during the school year, a
notable marine scientist will present a lecture on their current research project.

By Bob Arrington, Southern Boating September 2019