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Within the framework of the project “Sentinels of the sea: citizen science for monitoring the effects of climate change on marine biodiversity”, the scientific community and the target sectors of the project (divers and fishermen), the marine environment and others in the Marine Protected Areas of Murcia and Almeria, have expressed the need to continue participating in the assessment of the impacts caused by climate change and other anthropic factors in their environment. life.

To this end, the University of Murcia, in collaboration with the Columbares Association, Sea and Fisheries Environment and Ecoalmería Environmental Initiatives, has proposed the realization of the project “Centinelas del Mar II”. Its objective has been to monitor changes in marine biodiversity, directly or indirectly linked to climate change, based on citizen science and implementing measures for the economic diversification of the sectors that can be included in the Management Plans of the study areas.

This initiative is complementary to the LIFE INTEMARES project, as it is developed in different protected areas and studies different species considered of interest for this project and contributes to environmental awareness and education.

The main objective of the project has been to establish and develop a programme to monitor changes in marine biodiversity in marine protected areas of the Natura 2000 Network and in marine reserves of fishing interest in the Iberian southeast (specifically, in the provinces of Murcia and Almeria), using participatory and citizen science methodologies.

The specific objectives were as follows:

• Establish a participatory design (in collaboration with the sectors involved, such as diving and fishing) of a marine biodiversity monitoring programme based on citizen science, in order to implement and consolidate the scientific diagnosis of the state of conservation, distribution and population effectiveness of species vulnerable to climate change or not directly linked to it in the surroundings of marine reserves and areas of the Natura 2000 Network from southeastern Spain: Cabo de Palos and Islas Hormigas reserve, Cabo Tiñoso reserve and the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park.
• To promote information, awareness and participation of society for the conservation of marine biodiversity, encouraging the appreciation of the population on the natural and cultural heritage of the area at a local level and in the context of the Mediterranean Sea. It also seeks to promote society’s awareness of anthropic impacts, promoting the protection and responsible use of protected areas.
• To facilitate access by researchers and public administrations to the new knowledge and resources provided, in order to improve knowledge transfer and strengthen the cooperation of managers within the framework of the National Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change (PNACC).
• To facilitate access to the general public, the diving, fishing and nautical sectors and interested companies to new knowledge and resources provided in the field of adaptation to climate change, marine biodiversity and minimization of impacts, to promote the sustainable use of the marine environment.
• To promote economic development compatible with the conservation of marine biodiversity, promoting the sustainable use of tourism in nature through diversification linked to the adaptation to climate change of the SMEs collaborating in the project and associations, and raising awareness of the importance of minimising the impacts of their activity.
• To increase the visibility and enhancement of the results of the monitoring of marine biodiversity in the study area, transferring them in existing networks and with a citizen science approach throughout the Mediterranean.

• Development of the participatory design (in collaboration with the sectors involved) of the marine biodiversity monitoring programme based on citizen science.
• Design and printing of collaborative sampling sheets on the most common species in the study area, their problems and monitoring protocols.
• Development of the monitoring program, compiling 14 observations of scientific relevance.
• Carrying out demonstration sampling trips with diving centres, fishermen and others in order to publicise the biodiversity monitoring protocols.
• Realization of an informative land itinerary on the urban beach of San José and in Cala Higuera, (next to the marine protected area of Cabo de Gata-Níjar), which had the participation of 15 people. Within the framework of this action, a digital brochure for self-guided itineraries has also been produced.
• Celebration of three informative snorkeling itineraries in the surroundings of three marine reserves of fishing interest (Cabo Tiñoso, Cabo de Palos-Islas Hormigas and Cabo de Gata-Níjar), in order to raise awareness of the most common species and raise awareness among participants about the main threats facing marine biodiversity.
• Dissemination and communication of the project.

The “Centinelas del Mar II” project has brought together the different sectors that carry out their economic and leisure activity around the marine protected areas of Murcia and Almeria and in relation to the monitoring of marine biodiversity, through citizen science. To this end, meetings have been held with the main representatives of the sectors, especially diving centres, and have made it possible to learn about the lack of information on biodiversity in the areas in which they operate.

To meet the needs detected, informative materials have been created that allow the approach to the most common species, but also the most significant threats from a scientific point of view, highlighting the protected areas in which the project is being developed. Simple protocols for monitoring biodiversity have also been created and the importance of transmitting the observed changes in biodiversity to existing citizen science platforms has been stressed. As a result, not only has informative material been prepared for integration into the routine activities of diving centers, but they are also available to anyone interested in participating in marine surveillance or in the use of these materials for informative purposes.

On the other hand, according to the entity, an important impact of awareness has been achieved, highlighting the realization of a land itinerary with children and young people to publicize the marine protected area of Cabo de Gata-Níjar and three itineraries with snorkeling to make the biodiversity known to adults and children in the reserves of fishing interest of Cabo Tiñoso, Cabo de Palos-Islas Hormigas, and Cabo de Gata-Níjar. In addition, up to 14 observations of high relevance to the scientific community have been obtained and shared on the Sea Observers platform.