1.
Sarah Faulwetter
Hellenic Centre for Marine Research

2.
Pilot citizen science project
initiated under the EU project
ViBRANT
Scope:
Record coastal (fish) biodiversity
Target group:
divers and snorkellers
Where & when:
Greece (mainly Crete), 2011–2012

3.
Concept
Train interested persons in
identifying coastal fish
Offer an easy-to use website
to record the data (Drupal)
Analyse how useful the data
are for scientific analyses

4.
Concept
Train interested persons in
identifying coastal fish
Offer an easy-to use website
to record the data (Drupal)
Analyse how useful the data
are for scientific analyses

5.
Benefits for divers
Learn more about nature
Create scientific knowledge
Acknowledgement in scientific publications
Get in contact with other divers and natural scientists
Get the BIOWATCH fishcard for free

6.
Year 1
Seminars in dive schools by
HCMR scientists
Guided dives (underwater
training)
Data collection
Questionnaire

7.
Year 1
rare common very abundant

8.
http://www.comber.hcmr.gr

9.
Year 1 - results
48 users from 10 countries
20 users with >1 dive
1,879 observations
95 dives / snorkelling trips
9 locations
Experienced divers: more
efficient in recording
Positive feedback from
questionnaires, willingness to
continue but lack of
motivation

10.
Year 1 - results
48 users from 10 countries
20 users with >1 dive
1,879 observations
95 dives / snorkelling trips 2 main user groups:
9 locations
● Young, local, divers or
Experienced divers: more biology students
efficient in recording
● >35 years, tourists, male,
academic but no biologists
Positive feedback from
questionnaires, willingness to
continue but lack of
motivation

11.
Lessons learned
Time-consuming for HCMR staff
Entering data online on-the-spot difficult
Conflicts with schedule of dive centres
Heterogeneous user groups with different skills

12.
Year 2 - results
93 users –> almost doubled
3732 observations –> doubled
274 dives / snorkelling trips –> tripled
~20 locations –> doubled
Time-consuming for HCMR staff
Data gathering difficult
Low participation through dive schools
Tours in Cretaquarium successful

13.
Year 2 - results
93 users –> almost doubled
3732 observations –> doubled
274 dives / snorkelling trips –> tripled
~20 locations –> doubled
Time-consuming for HCMR staff
Data gathering difficult
Top-down
approach
Low participation through dive schools
Tours in Cretaquarium successful

14.
Year 2 - results
93 users –> almost doubled
3732 observations –> doubled
274 dives / snorkelling trips –> tripled
~20 locations –> doubled
Time-consuming for HCMR staff
Data gathering difficult
Top-down
approach
Low participation through dive schools
Tours in Cretaquarium successful

15.
Plans
Community-driven approach – redefine target group
HCMR provides software & guidance
Include all taxa – use Scratchpads
Increase “citizen science awareness” in Greece
Quality control of data, data analyses

16.
Conclusions
Successful as a pilot project
Next: transition from BioBlitz-style to
independent, community-driven project

17.
Conclusions
Successful as a pilot project
Next: transition from BioBlitz-style to
independent, community-driven project
To continue:
Know your target group
Define your approach
Respond to the “market”