The Oceanography Malta Research Group (OMRG) within the at the University of Malta is proud to announce its involvement in a new Horizon Europe project titled CS-MACH1 (Citizen Science Marine Accelerator for Horizon 1).
The initiative aims to enhance and streamline citizen science efforts related to marine and coastal monitoring across Europe. Led by , with the support of and the rest of the OMRG team, the project will provide a boost to Malta鈥檚 growing portfolio of citizen science campaigns by focusing on improving engagement, data usability, and public participation. The project鈥檚 kick-off meeting was held last week, within the premises of the Coordinator (the CMCC) in Lecce, Italy and this was attended by Dr Adam Gauci.
CS-MACH1 involves a total of 15 partners from 10 different countries, as well as UNESCO and brings together citizen science practitioners, researchers, and institutions from across the EU to address major challenges such as accessibility, trust, recognition of citizen contributions, and interoperability of collected data. Through this collaboration, OMRG will review and improve its ongoing campaigns and ensure that locally collected data can contribute meaningfully to broader scientific and policy frameworks. The project, will run until 2027.
Prof. Alan Deidun already coordinates four citizen science campaigns in Malta. These include the long-running and widely recognised Spot the Jellyfish, which invites the public to report jellyfish sightings, Spot the Alien Fish, which monitors non-native species in Maltese waters, Andromeda, a newer campaign involving public participation in monitoring and classifying microplastics collected from beaches as well as the most recent addition CoastSnap. Launched earlier this summer,
CoastSnap encourages people to take and submit photographs of the coast at Riviera Bay from a fixed camera station. In just a few weeks, CoastSnap has already gained remarkable traction, with a large number of images already submitted. These photographs will allow researchers to analyse patterns in beach erosion and shoreline change over time.
With support from CS-MACH1, these campaigns will benefit from closer ties to European marine monitoring networks. Citizens are encouraged to take part in these campaigns and play an active role in understanding and protecting Malta鈥檚 marine environment. Whether you're a beachgoer, snorkeller, diver, or simply someone who cares about the sea, your contribution can make a real difference.
