Phi Phi Island Citizen Science Projects
Citizen Science is a way to contribute to ocean conservation while you are diving and snorkeling on Koh Phi Phi. Not only can you contribute valuable data from your dive and snorkeling experiences here, you can use the same Apps and Methods to do the same all around the world! Here are some of the Projects that you can get involved with in Blue VIew Divers!
What is Citizen Science?
Citizen Science is a data collection method designed for students, divers, snorkelers, surfers, swimmers or sailors. Therefore, anyone can contribute data for research projects headed by organizations and scientists. First of all, it provides a bulk of information from the general community which is entered online. Furthermore, it can be assessed by lead researchers and analyzed for purposes of conservation .
By contributing vital data from your dives and snorkels you are providing invaluable information that can be used by scientists worldwide to implement change.
‘eOceans’ Reef Monitoring Citizen Science
Citizen Science for everyone! This is the easiest and most user friendly way to contribute valuable data about our oceans. Our ocean can be more exciting and valuable if we make faster and more collaborative discoveries. eOceans App is the platform that makes that happen.
It’s important to also log what you DON’T see!
It’s just as important to log what you DON’T see, not only what you DO SEE. If you don’t see sharks, please tell us! If you see lot’s of plastic, please tell us! All the negative information is as valuable, if not MORE valuable as it can be used in such a way to highlight problems in our ocean environment. This is whey Citizen Science is SO important!
Even if you don’t sign up for an Eco Dive with Blue View Divers, you can still upload your data and begin to get into the habit of contributing as you travel around the world.
‘Ocean science needs to be collaborative and transparent and to keep pace with business, society, and ocean change. I designed the eOceans platform to make this possible.’
Dr. CA Ward-Paige, Founder of eOceans
eOceans’ new platform for science works for:
- Scientists, citizen scientists, and explorers
- Recreational, professional, and occasional explorers
- All activities – scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, fishing, kayaking, surfing, relaxing on the beach, flying, etc.
- All ecosystems – coral reefs, kelp, seagrass, open ocean, etc.
It includes:
- Mobile app for accurate real-time data collection, collaboration, and transparency (GooglePlay and AppStore)
- Dashboard to your manage your data and teams (eOceans.app)
- Digital logbookto download a specific format of your data (UPGRADE feature)
Enquire here
‘Reef Watch’ Coral Monitoring Citizen Science
We were invited by Green Fins to help survey coral reefs on Koh Phi Phi! Divemaster Trainees and guests have collected data on local dives using special underwater data slates. Scientists can use this data to monitor the effects of tourism, global warming and coral bleaching on local reefs.
Reef Watch is a simple one-dive-one-survey method to record the health of a coral reef. You can easily learn the method and take part in the programme. On your dive or snorkel trip you will be able to collect valuable information to help us care for the reefs you visit today.
Greenfins Thailand
Coral Bleaching
A common yet unfortunate change is Coral Bleaching due to the stress of pollution or increase in water temperature. Additionally, we can monitor over fishing (which creates an increase in zoo plankton levels causing causes oxygen starvation) and water chemistry. This has also been linked with harmful chemical solutions found in sun screen, additionally urine from high volumes of snorkelers.
When Corals stress, they expel the algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues causing the coral to turn white. However as we are able to collect this data it can then be used to calculate future “outbreaks” .Blue View Divers’ research was actually the very first data to be inputted into a new survey Greenfins created in 2014. It’s exciting to see how our research will inspire further studies.
Future Data:
We plan to continue to gather data for Green Fins on a more regular basis and stay involved in this very important ‘Citizen Science’ Project. If you are inspired to help the worlds coral as much as us then feel free to get involved! Additionally, you can contribute data yourself by downloading the e-oceans app which monitors species, corals and even ocean debris.
Signup for a Conservation Dive to monitor a dive site of your choice and make a difference during your trip!
Get in touch!
‘Shark Guardian’ – Shark Research through Citizen Science
All of the Shark Guardian research projects are based on citizen science. The benefit of this is that it helps us gather information about sharks, marine species and marine debris or pollution, for the purpose of conservation. Shark Guardian’s first project to monitor shark numbers was ‘e-Shark‘ system. However, they have now combined forces with ‘eOceans‘ to share data so you can log your sightings all in once place.
Wildbooks for Whalesharks:
‘This is a citizen science based project using photo ID of Whalesharks collected from divers and snorkelers around the world. By photographing a whale shark correctly you can directly contribute to a global effort to better understand and protect these amazing animals. Whale sharks are classified as Endangered to Extinction on the IUCN Red List.’
Liz Ward-Sing
If you see a whaleshark and manage to get a good photograph, please CLICK HERE
Alternatively you can read the guidelines how to approach and photograph these gentle giants: CLICK HERE
You can learn about shark conservation through our Eco Snorkel Tours, by signing up for a Conservation Dive or by joining us for a coffee in our amazing office and reading the books and information we have available.
Spot the Leopard Shark
Spot the Leopard Shark Thailand was launched on Koh Phi Phi Island in August 2013. Submitted photos and information will be used to address questions of how many leopard sharks there are in Thailand, which areas they use, how this changes over time, how long they live and more. Every time you take a photo, you are also being a marine biologist and collecting important data! Leopard sharks are classified as Endangered to Extinction on the IUCN Red List.
Signup now!
Ocean Quest Coral Programs
Join our Ocean Quest Coral Propagation Workshop or Course to learn how to plant and grow broken corals. Additionally, you will learn how to collect data and present it to the Ocean Quest Organisation who will monitor the progress of all the work going on around the world. They can subsequently establish what methods and areas work best and have the highest success rates.
Get in touch
‘Olive Ridley Project’ – Ghost Net Data
The ultimate goal of this research is to quantify the scale of the ghost net problem therefore providing solutions on how to manage it. Additionally we hope that the research results in changes in fishing net and gear designs, as well as influence fishing legislation.
YOU CAN BECOME A CITIZEN SCIENTIST TOO!
Found a ghost net? Report it here.
Sighted and photographed a sea turtle in the Maldives? Email Jillian@oliveridleyproject.org for more info on how to contribute to the Turtle ID Project. We need the date, location and clear photos of both sides of the turtle’s face.
Volunteer at the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre or join a Sea Turtle Research Expedition
‘Brand Audit’ – Citizen Science
Break Free From Plastic’s brand audits are a citizen science initiative that involves counting and documenting the brands found on plastic waste collected at a cleanup to help identify the companies responsible for plastic pollution. We do this with Trash Hero Phi Phi on World Cleanup Day every year but you can do this anytime you a cleanup!
