Collecting Data on Board

This is when people who aren’t professional ocean scientists collect information about the ocean—by taking seawater samples, snapping photos of coastlines, or recording whale calls. All of this can be done alongside regular sailing activities.

While research institutions usually collect this kind of data, they face real challenges when studying remote areas—like the polar regions—where ecosystems are still not fully explored or understood. These places are often hard to reach, and there may not be enough research vessels, funding, or simply time to study them properly.

That’s where non-scientists can step in by giving their time and effort. They may track changes—like fewer fish in an area over time or more plastic washing up on beaches—contributing to real studies, and supporting better decisions, like identifying areas that need more attention or protection.

Marine Citizen Science usually has a strong focus on a few key areas. One of its main goals is tracking biodiversity—observing which birds, marine mammals, or fish are around and how their numbers change over time. A prime example is Happywhale, where sailors snap photos of whales to help track their migrations. Volunteer crews may also keep an eye out for invasive species, like the European green crab in the Mediterranean, which threatens local shellfish populations.

Another big focus is pollution—such as spotting plastic waste or collecting water samples to test for microplastics. Projects like the Global Microplastics Initiative rely on people at sea to gather data in places scientists can’t always reach. There’s also projects on monitoring water quality and coral reef health.
Sometimes, citizen science even leads to sudden discoveries. In 2020, volunteers on a sailing expedition in the Pacific helped document a new species of comb jelly, Duobrachium sparksae, by capturing videos with remotely operated cameras. This kind of find shows just how valuable citizen-collected data can be.
So, what data can be easily collected on board?

4. Coastal Monitoring:

• Beach and Coastal Erosion: Taking photos and measuring beach profiles to track changes over time.
• Mapping Coastlines: Using handheld GPS devices or apps to record shoreline changes and coastal features.

5. Glacier Monitoring

• Iceberg Size and Location: Take photos and use GPS to track the size and location of icebergs.
• Melting Rate: Measure and record how much ice is melting over time.
• Water Temperature and Salinity: Check the temperature and saltiness of the water around icebergs.

Citizen science projects lead to real, valuable outcomes. The data collected is often shared online, so everyone can access and use it.
By collecting data on marine species' presence, numbers, and behavior, citizen scientists can help identify important areas that need protection. By monitoring the types, levels, and sources of plastic pollution—one of the biggest threats to ocean health—citizen scientists help policymakers make informed decisions on how to reduce plastic waste.
Coastal habitats like mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass beds are crucial for marine biodiversity and also protect shorelines. Citizen scientists can monitor the health of these areas by collecting data on water quality, sediment, and plant life which help in launching restoration projects.
More and more scientific research institutes are looking for help from the public, and Xploration is more than happy to collaborate and be part of the effort.