BioMARatona Portugal “Praias com vida”

Description

The BioMARatona Portugal “Praias com Vida” is a citizen science event, promoted by the Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources (CIBIO-InBIO/BIOPOLIS), which encorauges the public to explore and document marine life along the Portuguese coast.

This friendly competition runs from May to October and aims to encourage citizens to photograph the flora and fauna of our shoreline. Participants are encouraged to record their observed species on the MINKA platform, either during organized field trips or their own independent initiatives. This European-origin platform centralizes biodiversity and environmental data, linking it to observation locations, thereby contributing to a vast repository of open scientific knowledge.

With the support of various partners who ensure the promotion, organization, and execution of activities, the initiative also includes field trips open to all, guided to the intertidal zone. The goal is not only to identify and record local biodiversity but also to raise awareness about the importance of the coastal environment, the impacts of climate change, and the presence of invasive species.

We have prepared guides on how to contribute to the project and on coastal biodiversity, which can be downloaded here: https://shorturl.at/PMQtY

Aimed at the general public, who can participate individually or through groups and associations, the BioMARatona invites everyone to actively contribute to science and the understanding of our national coastal biodiversity. This Portuguese project is part of a larger European effort. The second edition of the BioMARatona is taking place in 2025, and the third edition is planned for the summer of 2026.

Aim

• To enhance knowledge of species in Portuguese marine and coastal ecosystems, including their geographical and temporal distribution patterns.
• To detect evidence of the effects of human activities on coastal biodiversity.
• To raise awareness of the richness of marine biodiversity and transform the public's perception of our beaches, revealing them as vital ecosystems.
• To promote interaction and the sharing of information between citizens and the scientific community.
• To increase public participation in the study of marine and coastal biodiversity.

How to participate

Equipment

Data collection is done by photographing living organisms, so participants need a mobile phone or camera to take part. They also need to access the online MINKA platform, either via its application or website.

When participating in the organized field trips during the BioMARatona, citizens do not require any specialized equipment, making the activity accessible to all interested parties. However, we recommend wearing comfortable clothing suitable for the coastal conditions, including waterproof and/or sturdy footwear, a hat, sunscreen, and bringing water to stay hydrated.

All additional equipment, such as field guides or informational pamphlets, is provided by the organizers during the outings.