Reporting marine alien and range expanding species from Malta through citizen science campaigns

Abstract

Citizen Science emerges as a crucial strategy for documenting and monitoring the occurrence of Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) and range expanding species within heavily-invaded seas. This study presents findings from two Citizen Science campaigns, the 'Spot the Alien' and 'Spot the Alien Fish' ones, implemented for Maltese coastal waters over the 2019-2023 timeframe. A total of 310 reports were collected, documenting 659 NIS individuals, with their occurrence varying across years and seasons. The results highlights the importance of Citizen Science in providing valuable data for monitoring and management strategies. However, the study also underscores the need for revised engagement techniques involving a broader range of stakeholders, particularly professionals, within NIS monitoring and managing protocols.