This story is a part of the GenOcean campaign — an official Ocean Decade campaign showcasing Decade Actions, collaborating organizations and ocean leaders that focus on youth and citizen science opportunities to help anyone, anywhere be the change the ocean needs.
In 2022, a passionate group of marine scientists and conservationists from Spain came together to create the MINKA Citizen Science Observatory. Born out of their shared commitment to protect ocean biodiversity and Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) which support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), MINKA has quickly become a powerful infrastructure driving citizen science and ocean literacy.
“We started MINKA with a simple goal: to create an infrastructure where people could contribute to marine science and the SDGs through everyday observations, whether they are near the coast or inland,” says Vanessa-Sarah Salvo, coordination team member of MINKA and researcher at the EMBIMOS group at the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC). “This vision has flourished over the last two years, as the platform now hosts over 10,000 participants and has contributed more than 350,000 biodiversity observations.”
Fast forward to 2025, and MINKA has just been endorsed as Ocean Decade Action as a project within the Marine Life 2030 programme for its significant contribution to global ocean sustainability. This milestone acknowledges the impressive strides MINKA has made in expanding its reach and empowering communities to become active participants in marine conservation.
The MINKA Citizen Science Observatory addresses three Ocean Challenges:
7 – Sustainably expand the Global Ocean Observing System
8 – Create a digital representation of the ocean
9 – Skills, knowledge, technology and participation for all
Making Science Accessible for All
What makes MINKA stand out is its inclusive approach to ecosystem restoration and protection. The team, which includes many women working in fields such as marine litter, taxonomy, data governance, science-based policy and resource management, is dedicated to making science accessible for all. While initially focused on marine species and EOVs, MINKA is now used to document flora and fauna, water temperature and even litter from any ecosystem.
The data is then integrated into global repositories, such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet), ensuring that citizen contributions directly inform evidence-based policy. By simply taking photos and uploading them to the platform, anyone, anywhere can contribute to the documentation of biodiversity around the world and help protect their natural spaces.
Engaging Youth in Ocean and Water Literacy
One of the projects promoting the use of MINKA platform is ProBleu, a program promoting ocean literacy in schools and communities through citizen science.
“By getting young people involved in the scientific process and teaching them the importance of ocean conservation, MINKA contributes to guiding the next generation of environmental stewards,” says Salvo. “We encourage school communities to get involved in marine science through relatable, actionable and hands-on learning experiences which MINKA provides to youth in Spain and beyond.”
By sharing educational content, citizen science opportunities and stunning images of marine species, MINKA is inspiring individuals around the world to document species diversity in their neighborhoods. At the same time, thanks to the inspiring examples of schools integrating MINKA into their educational projects, its use is expanding beyond dive and snorkel lovers to different social groups, including school communities.
Using MINKA as a Research Lab for Effective Citizen Engagement
In just a few years, MINKA has become a dynamic citizen science lab, but it wasn’t by accident.
“Our platform isn’t just for documenting species; it’s also a place where we test different methods for effective citizen science and how we can increase engagement,” shares Salvo. “MINKA’s team has been testing different approaches to encourage more participation, such as in-person events in Catalonia and integrating interactive content on social media.”
This focus on engagement has already produced tangible results. The Metropolitan Area of Barcelona is using MINKA’s data to guide their management actions in urban beaches from the eight metropolitan municipalities. They enlist citizens through a local project called BioPlatgesMet to report and monitor biodiversity and help detect invasive species throughout all seasons of the year. This makes the platform a vital resource for local decision makers and for the MINKA team. Seeing the direct impact of community contributions on policy is one of the most rewarding aspects of their work.
The platform’s growth is a clear indicator of the broader shift toward citizen science and community-led conservation worldwide. MINKA’s work contributes directly to the Ocean Decade, helping bridge the gap between scientific research, policy-making and community engagement.
How to Use MINKA as a Citizen Scientist
MINKA offers a flexible and user-friendly platform where anyone can contribute both terrestrial and marine observations. Whether you’re casually photographing marine species or deeply involved in tracking biodiversity in your area, MINKA allows you to choose your level of involvement. Users can join existing projects or create their own, focusing on local ecosystems or specific species they’re passionate about.
“The platform is designed to be inclusive and adaptable to any interest in marine and terrestrial species,” says Salvo. “While our team members come from a marine research background, MINKA encourages contributions on all types of biodiversity. This inclusive approach is exemplified by the growing recognition of marine species in biodiversity conservation efforts. Just recently, species from the ocean were included in the City of Barcelona’s biodiversity atlas, a major achievement for the platform and our community.”
Whether you’re new to citizen science or a seasoned environmentalist, MINKA offers an accessible and impactful way to get involved in marine conservation for individuals and school and community groups alike. There are no barriers to getting started, and every contribution, no matter how small, helps make a difference.
Visit the MINKA website to join the platform and start your own journey to be the change the ocean needs.
Read more GenOcean stories on our webpage.
