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Citizen Science is when the public voluntarily helps gather and report data to assist with research. Often, these are short term projects that require little to no training or commitment.
Become a Citizen Scientist and advance Mote’s research and conservation effortsThere are many opportunities for you to help with Mote’s conservation and research. Most of these things can be done while you are out enjoying Florida’s beaches or even from your boat!
Citizen Scientists contribute to the collection of real time beach condition data.The BCRS is a valuable tool during Florida red tide events, communicating the presence of dead fish, respiratory irritation among beachgoers, water color, and wind direction.
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If you are interested in becoming an official BCRS Ambassador, please contact us via the Contact Form on the BCRS. Requirements to become a volunteer include daily access at the same beach location and a mobile device. Reports take about a minute to complete and are submitted through the BCRS- Mote Marine Laboratory mobile app. If you are unable to meet the daily reporting schedule and you are still interested in contributing to community science, we encourage you to upload reports to the Community Portal found at visitbeaches.org or via the mobile app.
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Since 2009, Mote Researchers have been collecting data on three pelagic ray species: spotted eagle rays, manta rays and devil rays. All three are classified as “Endangered” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Understanding their distribution and movement patterns in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and Western Atlantic Ocean is critical to inform conservation strategies.
Citizen science initiatives can provide valuable information, especially on rare species such as manta rays and devil rays.
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The Fisheries Habitat Ecology and Acoustics program focuses on how fishes interact with their habitats and how disturbances influence these interactions. Citizen Scientists can report snook sightings that help scientists determine if snook are residents at these sites or transients that may come and go between the adult sites on the beaches/passes, etc.
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It’s important for citizen scientists to call and report any injured, sick, or dead sea life. Mote’s Strandings Team act like first responders. They help rescue and hopefully rehabilitate live animals. Any that they collect that are no longer living, they perform necropsies. These provide great data and information that are crucial to species management and conservation.
To report a stranded dolphin, whale, manatee or sea turtle (dead or alive) within coastal Southwest Florida, please call the Stranding Investigations Program’s 24-hour hotline: 888-345-2335.
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A team of trained recreational, commercial and scientific divers who help monitor and report on conditions at the reefs. After each visit to the reef, the divers complete a data form, either printed or online, and send it to the BleachWatch coordinator. The divers will be provided with an underwater wristband to use as a reference and a reminder key below and above the water.
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Mote is encouraging the public to report unusual marine events on Florida’s Coral Reef to the Southeast Florida Action Network (SEAFAN). The goal of the network is to help the scientific community better understand the nature and causes of marine events that adversely affect marine organisms, and assist ongoing research efforts to assess and monitor events as they develop.
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*Paid expedition (you pay) to help catch and study sharks, survey stingrays, and conduct habitat assessments with Mote’s Dr. Demian Chapman
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Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, has partnered with Johnson Outdoors, a leading global innovator of outdoor recreation equipment and technology, together with its SCUBAPRO brand, to create a community coral reef restoration program that offers divers the opportunity to participate and make a positive difference in the health of our coral reef system.
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