Advancing data integration in marine citizen science: insights from a collaborative workshop
Brévière, E.; Fockedey, N.; Thijsse, P.; Novellino, A.; Gorringe, P; Kluckner, S.; Khatib, L.; Martínez-Osuna, J.; Piermattei, V.; Campanati, C.; Nolan, J.E.; Tsang, D.P-W.; Koole, C.; Knockaert, C.; Robyn, C.; Seys, J.; Marrone, A.; Stressmann, F.A. (2026). Advancing data integration in marine citizen science: insights from a collaborative workshop. Front. Mar. Sci. 13: 1894836. https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2026.1894836
In: Frontiers in Marine Science. Frontiers Media: Lausanne. ISSN 2296-7745; e-ISSN 2296-7745, more
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| Author keywords |
citizen-generated data, data interoperability, FAIR data, marine citizen science, ocean observation |
| Authors | | Top |
- Brévière, E.
- Fockedey, N., more
- Thijsse, P.
- Novellino, A.
- Gorringe, P
- Kluckner, S.
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- Khatib, L.
- Martínez-Osuna, J.
- Piermattei, V.
- Campanati, C.
- Nolan, J.E.
- Tsang, D.P-W., more
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- Koole, C.
- Knockaert, C., more
- Robyn, C., more
- Seys, J., more
- Marrone, A.
- Stressmann, F.A.
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| Abstract |
The ocean remains critically under-observed, particularly in coastal zones where traditional monitoring is limited by cost, logistical constraints, and competing regulatory priorities. Marine citizen science offers an emerging and powerful complementary approach to addressing these gaps; however, data management challenges currently limit its full integration into scientific and policy data infrastructures. The inaugural workshop of the Marine Citizen Science Data Network (MCSDN), held in February 2026 in Ostend, Belgium, brought together approximately 200 participants from over 30 countries. Attendees included representatives from marine citizen science initiatives, developers of low-cost monitoring devices, data managers, and researchers and data users. Together they identified challenges, opportunities and co-designed recommendations to improve marine citizen science data flows. Workshop discussions highlighted interconnected barriers and enabling factors affecting FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) marine citizen science data. These included fragmented data flows, weak connections between communities, limited participant engagement and feedback mechanisms, the potential of accessible low-cost technologies, and the need for shared practices and standardized documentation. Building on these themes, the workshop produced four concrete recommendations to enhance the reuse and impact of marine citizen science data: (1) develop discipline-specific FAIR guidance, (2) establish minimum metadata standards, (3) create simplified training materials, and (4) support the development and deployment of low-cost sensors. This perspective article presents the EU-funded CS-MACH1 project’s approach to bridging marine citizen science initiatives with European data infrastructures, and highlights the community’s readiness to deliver FAIR, impactful in situ ocean observations. |
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