The fun way to help coastline research

Join me in exploring the wonders of our coastlines!

Coastlines are fascinating and incredibly important. They are home to diverse ecosystems, provide recreational opportunities, and protect us from erosion and storms. It’s incredible how much they contribute to our lives!

Did you know that coastlines also face significant challenges? Climate change, pollution, and overfishing threaten the delicate balance of these ecosystems. That’s where we come in – you and me, working together to make a difference!

So, what can you do to help? Great question! You have the power to participate in coastline research and contribute to its conservation. By engaging in citizen science, you become an active participant in collecting data and sharing your findings with scientists.

Joining a citizen science project is easier than you might think. There are numerous organizations and initiatives that welcome volunteers of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you’re a student, a nature enthusiast, or simply curious about our beautiful coastlines, there’s a project out there for you!

Imagine this: standing at the beach, feeling the sand between your toes, and picking up seashells. It’s a magical moment, isn’t it? Now, imagine the excitement of knowing that every seashell you collect contributes to a broader understanding of our coastlines. The data you collect helps researchers uncover patterns and trends that can guide conservation efforts and protect these valuable natural resources.

But wait, there’s more! Participating in coastline research is not just educational and impactful – it’s also a lot of fun! You can explore new places, observe marine life up close, and connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for our coastlines. It’s a rewarding experience that brings joy and a sense of accomplishment.

So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of coastline research and become a citizen scientist today. Together, we can make a difference and ensure the preservation of these incredible ecosystems for future generations. The coast is calling – will you answer?

In 1900, Frank Chapman, a bird expert at the American Museum of Natural History, started the Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count. Instead of killing birds during the annual hunt, Chapman encouraged regular people to count them. This marked the beginning of one of the world’s oldest citizen science projects.

Over time, the event has become more popular, and the data collected is now uploaded to an online repository. Scientists from all over the world access this repository multiple times a week for research.

In South Africa, there are also citizen science projects that allow people from all walks of life to contribute to scientific research while having fun. Here are a few ways you can get involved in studying our coastline.

Want to Snorkel or Scuba Dive? Cape RADD is the Perfect Choice!

Hey there! My name is Mike Barron, and I’m lucky to be part of an awesome team of marine biologists and conservationists at Cape Research and Diver Development (Cape RADD). We’re based in Simon’s Town, and our mission is to study and protect the incredible marine environment of False Bay, Cape Town. But hey, we’re not just a bunch of scientists – we want you to join us on our exciting snorkeling and scuba diving expeditions! Trust me, you’re in for a real treat.

When you jump into the water with us, you’ll enter a world teeming with life. Picture this: autumn-colored anemones, sea urchins, and soft corals dotting the rocks in sheltered coves. It’s like an underwater garden down there! And that’s not all – vibrant nudibranchs and metamorphic octopuses have made these kelp forests their home. The rich nutrients in the water attract a variety of fish like red stumpnose, strepies, and hottentots, not to mention small sharks!

‘I’m excited to tell you about one of the cool projects we’re working on,’ says Mike. ‘It’s all about learning more about small sharks that haven’t received much attention from researchers. There’s so much we don’t know!’ Among the fascinating little sharks that call False Bay home are puffadder shysharks, who curl up when they feel threatened, and leopard and pyjama catsharks.

If you join our team as a citizen scientist, we’ll give you all the information you need to collect data and identify the fish species you’re likely to encounter. Before you jump into the water, we’ll show you how to spot and document the different types of fish using a waterproof data slate or a camera. It’ll be like having an amazing close-up encounter with nature!

Your contributions are vital. All the data you collect will be uploaded to Cape RADD’s database, helping us fill the gaps in our knowledge and better understand these incredible creatures.

Hey there! Are you interested in learning about marine biology and getting hands-on experience in the field? Well, I’ve got something exciting to share with you!

Every winter, international students like you come to Cape RADD for some awesome infield training during their university holidays. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn from field biologists and dive experts.

In the mornings, we have theoretical workshops where you’ll soak up all the knowledge from these experts. Then, it’s time to put that knowledge into practice! You can choose between freediving or scuba diving and start using the data collection and field operation techniques you just learned. It’s the coolest way to apply everything you’ve been studying!

But wait, there’s more! If diving isn’t your thing, no worries. You can also join us on a boat expedition. We’ll take you to remote underwater video stations called BRUVs, where we measure the biodiversity of marine life both inside and outside marine protected areas. It’s a great hands-on experience for you to understand the importance of biodiversity conservation.

Now, here’s where it gets even better. We want you to be a citizen scientist with us! On our boat-based expeditions, you’ll get the chance to work alongside marine biologists. You’ll help deploy underwater cameras, search for the Marine Big Five, and even collect water samples for microplastics research. Your contribution will make a real difference in our understanding of marine ecosystems and conservation efforts.

So, if you’re looking for an incredible learning experience with a focus on marine biology, Cape RADD is the place for you. Join us and dive into the world of marine science!

Hoping to raise awareness and promote conservation messages, the field station team also wants to expand its database. “Our goal is to collect enough information to assist marine conservation organizations and local fisheries in making well-informed decisions that will safeguard the biodiversity around this peninsula,” explains Mike.

Tag a fish or report a tagged fish

Hey there! I want to tell you about an awesome project called the Co-operative Fish Tagging Project (ORI-CFTP), also known as ORItag. It’s a really cool citizen science initiative by the Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI) at uShaka Marine World in Durban. They’ve been doing this since way back in 1984!

So, here’s the deal: ORItag is all about getting anglers like you to be part of something big. You can buy a tagging kit and join in on the action. But don’t worry, the ORI has got your back with some handy online training videos. These videos show you how to handle, measure, tag, and release fish with as little stress to them as possible. That’s pretty important, right?

Now, let’s talk about measuring fish. There are two ways to do it. First, you can measure the fish’s fork length. That’s the distance from the fish’s mouth to the fork in its tail. The second way is to measure the entire length of the fish. The videos explain when to use each method, so you’ll know what to do.

But wait, there’s more! ORItag is not just about tagging fish. They also want you to report any tagged fish you catch. It’s like being a detective in the ocean! By reporting tagged fish, you’re helping scientists gather important data about fish movements, growth rates, and more. Your findings can even contribute to marine conservation efforts. Talk about making a difference!

So, if you love fishing and want to be part of a cool project, ORItag is perfect for you. Just grab a tagging kit, watch some videos, and get ready to tag or report those fish. It’s an opportunity to be a scientist while having fun in the great outdoors. Who knew fishing could be so scientific?

Have you ever caught a tagged fish while fishing? It’s a pretty cool experience! Tagged fish are fish that have small metal or plastic tags attached to them. These tags are placed by organizations like the Oceanic Research Institute (ORI) to gather important information about the fish.

When a tagged fish is caught by a lucky angler, they can measure and weigh it, and then upload the information to the ORI’s database through their website. This is a citizen science project, where regular people like you and me help researchers by providing data. The information collected includes the fish’s growth rate and how far it has traveled since it was originally tagged.

Now, it’s important to note that the tagged fish doesn’t belong to the ORI or the angler who first tagged it. So, if you catch a tagged fish and you’re planning to have a fish braai on your holiday, you’re not obligated to release it back into the water. It’s your fish to enjoy!

Join me for a beach clean-up and let’s track and record trash

Hey there! Did you know that you and I can make a real difference in protecting our oceans and waterways? Well, now you do! Thanks to the incredible Marine Debris Tracker app, supported by the National Geographic Society, you can join a global community of citizen scientists who are dedicated to fighting against oceanic and inland waste.

I’m thrilled to tell you that the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town is one of the awesome groups that utilizes this tracker when they organize beach clean-ups. It’s a fantastic opportunity for all of us to come together and make a positive impact. And guess what? The best part is that every item we collect, be it earbuds, plastic straws, chip packets, or fishing gear, can be counted and logged directly within the app!

By participating in these clean-ups and logging the collected trash through the Marine Debris Tracker, we contribute to an open data platform. This valuable information is accessible to researchers and anyone else who’s interested in learning about the amount and types of rubbish found on specific beaches or along waterways. Isn’t that amazing?

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s join forces, take action, and help keep our precious oceans and waterways clean. Together, we can make a difference!

I’m sure you’ll agree that keeping our beaches clean is really important. That’s why the aquarium arranges beach clean-ups in the spring and summer. They recently held a clean-up on Monwabisi Beach for International Coastal Cleanup Day in September 2021. But here’s the thing, you don’t have to wait for a special event to make a difference. You can collect trash on the beach anytime you want and record it using the Marine Debris Tracker app.

If you want to get involved, all you need to do is download the app and head to the beach with a garbage bag and some gloves. It’s that simple! And if you prefer to join an organized clean-up, you can find information about upcoming events on the websites and social media pages of organizations like KZN Beach Cleanup, The Beach Co-op, the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), and the Two Oceans Aquarium.

Other Coastal Citizen Science Projects

If you’re interested in marine life and want to contribute to scientific research, there are several citizen science projects that you can get involved in. One such project is South African Elasmobranch Monitoring, or ELMO, which focuses on recording sightings of sharks, rays, and skates, collectively known as elasmobranchs. You can upload photos and provide information about your sightings on their website at elmoafrica.org.

If you’ve had a shark encounter and want to share your experience, you can contribute to the Fin Spotter database maintained by Cape RADD. This database is specifically designed to record shark encounters, and you can submit your sightings at fin.caperadd.com.

Another interesting project called Jelly Watch invites you to submit records of jellyfish sightings. If you come across any jellyfish during your beach visits, you can report your sightings at jellywatch.org.

If you’re looking for more citizen science projects near your location, you can visit the website SciStarter. They have a wide range of projects that you can participate in and contribute to scientific research.

This article was originally published in the February 2022 print issue of Getaway magazine.

Written by: Elise Kirsten; Pictures: Elise Kirsten, Cape RADD, Gallo/Getty Images

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