The Oceanography Malta Research Group (OMRG) within the Department of Geosciences has proudly launched Malta’s first CoastSnap station at Riviera Bay, inviting the public to take part in coastal research by simply snapping a photo.
This new citizen science initiative is part of a global network led by the University of New South Wales, with over 220 stations in 21 countries worldwide. Thanks to this collaboration, Malta now becomes part of this international effort to better understand and monitor coastal erosion.
CoastSnap stations are designed to harness the power of everyday photos taken by beachgoers. By placing a phone on a specially designed cradle and taking a picture of the same view over time, citizens help scientists track how beaches are changing, especially in response to storms, sea level rise, and human activity.
The Riviera station is one of four citizen science campaigns currently managed by OMRG under the leadership of Prof. Alan Deidun, including the Spot the Alien Fish, the Spot the Jellyfish and the ANDROMEDA microplastics ones, which will all be accessible through a . The CoastSnap Malta initiative was made possible through strong collaboration with Ambjent Malta and Friends of the Earth Malta, who will continue working with the research group to install similar stations, including proposed locations in Comino and Gozo.
This launch also served to promote the MedSeaRise project, a research initiative led by Dr Adam Gauci and in which the University of Malta is a partner. Funded by the Interreg Euro-MED Programme, MedSeaRise focuses on understanding how sea level rise and extreme coastal events are expected to affect the Mediterranean region over the next century due to climate change. The project brings together experts from across the region to develop data-driven tools that can guide planning and adaptation strategies for coastal communities.
For the CoastSnap Malta station, Dr Adam Gauci managed the technical logistics and will also process the photos collected through the cradle. The station’s vibrant design and phone holder were designed by Mr David Ramirez who also oversaw the installation.
The launch event drew strong support from both local and international stakeholders, including Ms Jennifer Kingsman, the Deputy High Commissioner of Australia for Malta, who praised the collaboration and highlighted the value of linking science and community engagement.
With this launch, Malta joins a growing global effort to better understand our changing coastlines. Every photo taken at the CoastSnap station contributes to a bigger picture, one that helps scientists and policymakers prepare for a changing climate.
