TOOL 6

CITIZEN SCIENCE

Author: Andrew Chin, James Cook DATA TYPE: University, Australia Species present Abundance Stock structure Critical habitats Landings and discards 10. DATA 6. BIODIVERSITY SHARK PLAN OBJECTIVES: 6. Contribute to the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem structure and function 10. Facilitate the identification and reporting of species-specific biological and trade data WHY WOULD YOU USE THIS TOOL? Depending on the scope of a project, large numbers of citizen scientists can collect shark and ray data across large areas and time scales. As well as offering significant cost savings, the approach can be particularly effective for sampling sharks and rays since they´re generally highly mobile and patchily distributed, mostly in low numbers.11

A network of community members collecting data across a large area can provide valuable data on uncommon shark and ray species that are otherwise difficult and costly to sample.

Another benefit of using citizen science for data collection is that it engages the public and raises awareness of shark and ray conservation. The active participation of members of the public can build trust between scientific researchers and the community that can lead to greater acceptance of management and conservation actions.12 HOW DOES CITIZEN SCIENCE WORK? Citizen science is the collection of samples or data by community members for a scientific purpose. Participants are typically volunteers from the general public, and fishers often also take part.

Scientists are usually involved at some stage, most often in the design and analysis phases. There are three main types of citizen science projects:13 ● Contributory – designed by scientists with community members collecting data CITIZEN ● Collaborative – designed by both scientists and community members with some SCIENTISTS input by community into the data collection, analyses and outputs ● Co-created – scientists and community members work closely together through CAN COLLECT SHARK all project stages. AND RAY DATA ACROSS LARGE AREAS AND Most shark and ray citizen science projects are contributory. Fishers who record TIME SCALES catch data can be considered citizen scientists, as they too are community members collecting data for a scientific purpose.14

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Citizen science programmes can also be CITIZEN SCIENCE SUCCESSES linked to education programmes that include local schools, combining the monitoring aspect with education and outreach benefits.15

If they´re well designed, citizen science projects can provide high- quality data. This can include: ● Biodiversity – the species present and records of their occurrence and distribution Fig 1: Sawfish species Fig 2: Porcupine whipray ● Photo identification of individual (Urogymnus asperrimus) animals, particularly for iconic ● Citizen science data on the abundance of reef sharks in Palau has been species such as manta rays and shown to be comparable in quality to acoustic tagging data from scientists.16 whale sharks ● Presence of rare and uncommon ● The International Sawfish Encounter Database receives sightings of sawfish

species from the public to build greater knowledge of the species ( www. ● Shark and ray abundance, floridamuseum.ufl.edu/fish/sawfish/ised) monitoring of populations ● The Great Porcupine Ray Hunt used diver photographs to expand the known ● Catch data range of the little-studied porcupine whipray (Urogymnus asperrimus). 17

● Extent and/or condition of critical ● In the Caribbean, REEF ( www.reef.org) trained recreational divers to habitats identify shark and ray species and survey their numbers: the data provided over 15 years has helped scientists to monitor population trends.18 WHAT ARE CITIZEN SCIENCE PROGRAMMES Fig 3: Photos from citizen scientists enabling tracking of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) from their unique skin patterns. USED FOR? how this overlaps with the interests extend range and distribution and capabilities of potential citizen information. A good example is

useful for grey nurse sharks (Carcharias Grey Nurse Shark Watch ( Citizen science programmes are diverse www. scientists in the area. For example, Shark Search Indo-Pacific ( www. and vary in scale from global monitoring taurus), sevengill sharks (Notorhynchus reefcheckaustralia.org/grey_nurse_ long-term abundance counts typically sharksearch-indopacific.org): people networks to targeted national projects. cepedanius) and leopard sharks shark_watch) – use volunteers to require a long-term commitment can upload photos with location data As such, the methods used depend on (Stegostoma fasciatum).21 process photos. which might be best provided by dive to the website, species identifications the research question and the capabilities tourist operators that repeatedly visit are verified by a shark and ray of local community volunteers. The citizen scientists are mostly In some projects citizen scientists also locations with a regular occurrence of taxonomist, and a living database is divers or snorkellers who submit record size and sex ratios, which enables a shark or ray species.19 updated with new species records Data can be collected by a variety photographs of the animals to a better understanding of stock structure.23 for an area. This information can of groups including NGOs, overseas website – naturally, this works best The most common type of citizen contribute towards National Plans volunteers, village communities and local for projects in areas with a tourism 3 To document species science programme is where people of Action. fishers. While methods vary, good citizen industry that brings people into close contribute photos to a project for abundance and distribution. science projects have clear objectives, proximity with the animals. In some The Great Egg Case Hunt ( www. various purposes. Citizen scientists 2 appropriate data collection methods that For tracking abundance and projects, such as Wildbook for Whale sharktrust.org/en/GEH_the_project)

also frequently help with censuses and suit the objectives, clear outputs, and migration of species such as whale Sharks ( www.whaleshark.org), the habitat mapping. engages beachgoers, divers and transparency about all aspects of the sharks and manta rays. The skin system sends an email to the submitter snorkellers to photograph and collect patterns of these species are unique project including the role of participants PHOTOGRAPHY and notifies them if the animal they empty shark and skate egg cases found and how the data will be used. to each individual, which enables photographed is seen again. on the beach or underwater. The Photography is used for a range of identification of particular animals. In project began in the United Kingdom To decide if citizen science can be purposes in shark and ray citizen effect, skin pattern is a non-invasive tag In large-scale global projects, such as and has expanded to receive photos a useful tool to collect information science projects: that can be used in long-term for whale sharks, pattern recognition from around the world: scientists use

on sharks and rays, consider the resighting programmes to software can be used to identify the data to document the relative investigate movement, abundance species, habitats, locations and 1 To record the diversity of the animals and process large numbers of abundance and distribution of egg- Fig 4: Egg case in seaweed. (Source: 20 and habitat use. This method is also 22 timeframe needed for sampling and sharks and rays in a country and images. Smaller-scale projects – e.g. laying sharks and skates.24 ©Shark Trust)

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CENSUSES METHOD: CITIZEN and a consistent, standardized QA may include: than in how to follow data collection method for collection of the data.25 ● Training programmes for data protocols. Recreational divers may Citizen science is also commonly SCIENCE Design also needs to consider collection need training in how to identify and used to contribute to underwater 1 Clearly define the research community member needs and ● Standardized sampling protocols count shark and ray species. censuses. Recreational divers count question and objectives of the project. motivations to ensure participants and data sheets sharks and rays in a given area, and Investigate if there are current citizen will remain interested and involved. ● Equipment and appropriate training More complex projects may require scientists use the information to science projects with similar objectives Training in data collection and training in the use of standard data plot population trends over time. that could provide an opportunity to management may be required – tasks QC may include: sheets and data entry, and specific Most of these projects are regional EQUIPMENT collaborate. A good place to start is at that are too difficult or technical ● Expert verification of species photo equipment such as video cameras. or local: the Great Fiji Shark Count Most shark and ray citizen science registers that aim to connect scientists, risk low levels of participation. As a identifications Training may be required for data

( www.fijisharkcount.com) is a projects are based on photos provided by volunteers and citizen science projects. general rule, community participation ● External review of sampling design quality control, analyses and reporting. good example. community members. In those projects, is maximized when activities are easy, and protocols the key equipment is often a camera These include: fun and social. Assess safety risks ● Checks of databases for incomplete or mobile phone that belongs to the eOceans ( www.eoceans.co) ● Scistarter – https://scistarter.com and whether participants will need records or missing values community member. For larger, more provides a global platform for a ● Australian Citizen Science insurance to complete the activity. ● Development of a data complex projects, equipment will vary but number of citizen science shark and Association – www. management plan is likely to include standard equipment ray census projects. citizenscience.org.au 5 Organize funding and resources. for fieldwork and data collection. ● European Citizen Science 8 Collect the data and samples.

HABITATS Association – https://ecsa. 6 Plan and undertake engagement The manner in which this is done Citizen science can be a useful citizen-science.net. with the community and other will vary depending on the details of COST – LOW, approach for mapping and stakeholders (typically fishers and each citizen science project. Mobile DEPENDING ON SCALE monitoring shark and ray habitats. 2 Consider the types of data that associated businesses). This could apps can simplify data collection, Citizen science can be a low-cost Information from recreational divers are needed and the best tools for include creating information sheets or submission and validation. approach to data collection, with the and snorkellers can inform and gathering it – e.g. photos, surveys, a website, but ensure that information main cost being personnel time for assist spatial management of critical BRUVS, tagging etc. Decide over is presented in ways that work for 9 Enter data and perform QC on data entry, quality control, collation, habitats such as nurseries or mating what area and time period the project the community in question. It´s also the data. Analyse the results and storage, analysis and dissemination areas. Citizen science programmes will run, and estimate the time and important to consider any intellectual draw conclusions. Acknowledge CHECKLIST: of the outcomes. Projects that require such as Seagrass Watch ( www. resources that will be needed. Using property (IP) that may arise from participants´ contributions in the ● Regional species identification field large amounts of time, specialized seagrasswatch.org) and Mangrove this information, identify potential the project. Develop and document report of findings as previously agreed. guide training and/or equipment are usually Watch ( http://mangrovewatch. community participants – local NGOs agreement about authorship of reports ● Waterproof data sheets and more costly. It´s also important to org.au) have useful guidance on and existing programmes may provide and papers, access to and use and 10 Disseminate the findings to the clipboard factor in the cost of time taken to established protocols for mapping useful contacts. Select the best storage of data. community and stakeholders. Regular ● Waterproof labels engage community members and keep habitats. approach to the project (contributory, communication and feedback helps ● Pencil and eraser them informed about the project. collaborative or co-created) and scale 7 Design data collection quality participants see their data is being used ● Waterproof marker for labels it to match citizen science capacity. assurance (QA) and quality control as intended: this two-way information ● Camera with batteries, charger, memory FINDING (QC) protocols – QA focuses on the exchange is a common feature of cards or mobile phone for photos 3 Establish communication 27 VOLUNTEERS people and QC focuses on the data. successful citizen science projects. ● Snorkelling or SCUBA equipment and collaboration between The greatest concern scientists and Organizations including (for in-water surveys) the community members and managers raise about citizen science Earthwatch ( http:// researchers, and do due diligence on is the quality of the data, so to allay DATA MANAGEMENT earthwatch.org) and Projects the capacity and legitimacy of any these concerns the project must A person(s) may need to be Abroad ( www.projects- third parties (such as NGOs) who may demonstrate how the data will meet assigned to a data management abroad.org) can connect be involved. Mutually agreed project the standard needed to address the role. For example in the citizen community members with arrangements are usually necessary, project objective.26 Design appropriate science project on shark scientists running citizen which include defined benefits to the data systems: it may be useful to abundance in Palau, a dive science projects that encourage community such as assistance with explore online systems such as company office staff member was environmental sustainability. TECHNICAL LEVEL – community life. iNaturalist.org or specially designed made responsible for management They may also be able to provide mobile apps (see Surveys). Design, and administration of the survey LOW volunteers for in-country shark 4 Design the sampling programme. build and test databases (see Data following training in data entry and Most citizen science is undertaken by and ray data collection projects. It should have a scientific approach management). data maintenance.28 volunteers from the general public. Training is not usually required, other

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