Contribution of citizen science to marine biodiversity research: Divers’ participation in citizen science platforms in Portugal

Citizen science has the potential to increase the amount of data collected on various subjects, as well as enhancing the scientific literacy of the citizens involved. This study aimed to evaluate the contribution of citizen science to the study of marine biodiversity in the Professor Luiz Saldanha Marine Park, a marine protected area located in mainland Portugal. The methodology consisted of applying an online survey to divers of the study area, which included questions on their sociodemographic profile, diving characteristics, motivations and challenges for diving, and species observation recording habits. From the survey, 102 valid responses were obtained, indicating that the majority of respondents have some diving experience, a high level of education, and an interest in recording the species observed. The results suggest that divers have the potential to contribute valuable data to citizen science initiatives. However, actual participation in citizen science platforms remains limited. Overall, the findings indicate that citizen science can enhance knowledge of marine biodiversity in the study area, although greater optimization of data usage and increased citizen engagement are needed. These insights can inform the development of targeted strategies to increase diver participation in biodiversity monitoring, thereby improving the integration of citizen-contributed data into marine conservation efforts. • Citizen science enhances data collection while improving scientific literacy among participants. • An online survey assessed how 102 divers can contribute to marine biodiversity data in Professor Luiz Saldanha Marine Park, Portugal. • Most divers are experienced and interested in recording species, indicating potential for valuable contributions. • Because engagement with citizen science platforms is limited, strategies to boost participation are presented.