Promoting citizen science using app/website for the protection of Black Sea marine biodiversity (BLACK SEA WATCH)
(
Non-governmental organization (NGO)
)
#OceanAction41761
Description
The Black Sea plays enormous social and economic role for the surrounding countries it provides important food (fish, molluscs), transport links to the other seas, recreational values. The marine ecosystem is highly fragile due to its isolation and many species are in bad conservation status. Different pressures and threats affect the Black Sea negatively: over fishing, pollution and introduction of invasive alien species, climate change, etc.
General public is getting more and more sensitive to the environmental problems and is urging governments to act. In recent years at global scale new concept for development of different spheres of science is applied citizen science or "public participation in scientific research". This approach is scientific research conducted, in whole or in part, by amateur or nonprofessional scientists mainly in collection of data on observations or regular monitoring of target species. Main stakeholder groups will be people living in the coastal areas as well as holiday-makers, students in natural sciences and groups that regularly sail the seas (yachtsmen, sailors, fishermen).
The actions main goal is raising public awareness on the Black Sea biodiversity and the contribution each one can made for conservation of this fragile ecosystem. Using a contemporary tool like smart phone application and web-based data base will guarantee the interest of the young increasingly using these tools rather than older means of communication and data recording.
Smart phone Apps and website should include information for identification of all marine species (mammals, birds, fish, invertebrates, macroalgae, etc.) in the Black Sea, especially species in the Red Data Book, invasive, harmful and key species. Users will be able to send photographs with location data (GPS) through this system. After the confirmation of the identification of the species by experts, the record will be added to the map on the project website. In this way everyone can see the distribution map of marine creatures in the Black Sea and become a part of a scientific project. The gathered information is aimed to be published in scientific journals with the cooperation of both amateur and professional scientists. The obtained data will be used with the permissions of data contributors. Essentially, this is a project adapted to our region (Black Sea), called "Citizen Science" in European countries, which aims to collect data for social benefits by an easy and inexpensive way and also increasing public awareness on marine biodiversity.
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| 14.2 | By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans |
| 14.5 | By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information |
| 14.a | Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries |
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Contact Information
Ayaka Amaha Ozturk, Dr