ANERIS BioMARathons will Engage Citizens in Marine Biodiversity Monitoring
ANERIS is supporting three BioMARathons in Spain, Portugal and Italy, the first two of which kicked off their first activities on the 11th of May and will go on until September (Portugal) and October (Spain). The BioMARathon in Italy will kick off in June with more details to be announced then.
The large-scale citizen science BioMARathons aim to collect data on marine and coastal ecosystems and their inhabitants by engaging local communities in biodiversity monitoring and conservation. This is achieved through regular organised field trips and diving activities, facilitated by researchers, diving associations and local organisations or by individual outings by volunteers using the MINKA app.
The BioMARathons provide an exciting opportunity for collaboration between research institutions, local diving clubs and associations, and the general public. Last year, this collaborative effort in 3 cities on the Catalan coast in Spain yielded over 60 000 observations of marine life, collected by more than 300 volunteers.
Engaging the public in the scientific and nature conservation process is one of the primary goals of ANERIS and we are extremely proud to be able to help facilitate the growth of the BioMARathon in Portugal and Italy.