Conservationists hope to enlist a small army of surfers, kayakers, divers and coasteering fans to help them research marine life on the North Coast.
Northern Ireland’s Centre for Environmental Data and Recording (CEDaR) works with NIEA to collect data on wildlife on land and in our seas.
That information is then used to help inform environmental management and conservation efforts as well as policy, decision-making, research and planning.
Read more: Latest on new Glider routes as transport bosses looking at 1,200 responses
CEDaR’S Marine Biodiversity Officer Dr Justin Judge told Belfast Live : “Surfers are in a great position to help collect information in areas where it is lacking.
“I surfed for 10 years and that’s why, when I started in this position, it was one of my first go-to ideas. It’s a resource that I don’t think has been fully tapped into.
“We are interested in just about every marine species – from the more charismatic animals like Minke whales and dolphins, down to seaweed and inter-tidal invertebrates.
“Any information we get would be a huge benefit for addressing gaps in the data and help with conservation efforts. It is also a great opportunity for those interested to learn more about local marine species identification.”
Those who sign up to aid Justin’s efforts will receive some marine identification training before using apps already available to amateur naturalists to collate data on the creatures they encounter.
“If they see something interesting they can just go ahead and record it using these apps,” he added.
“We can use the data to create maps, for example, and assess populations of species that are endangered.
“Any and all data is valuable to help steer conservation efforts of our local marine species.”
Anyone interested in taking part can sign up online at https://www.nmni.com/CEDaR/Cedar-marine-Mailing-List-Sign-up.aspx with training to follow later in the year.
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
