BioMARató 2026 is in its mid-season, recording more than 46,000 observations
BioMARató 2026, which started on the 2nd of May and will run until the 15th of October, has now reached the halfway point of its course with 46,920 observations submitted to the MINKA observatory. Citizen scientists have documented 1,467 taxa along the Catalan coast with the support of 282 observers and 76 identifiers. The numbers already include 29 invasive alien species and 97 taxa with direct legal protection.
Supported by the EMBIMOS research group at the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), collaborating with Federació d’Activitats Subaquàtiques (FECDAS), Anèl·lides Serveis Ambientals Marins, Plàncton Diving, Oceánicos, and All Blue Diving, the BioMARató (Catalonia) project has welcomed hundreds of participants for another successful season of citizen science marine biodiversity monitoring. 282 accounts have already shared their observations on the MINKA observatory, while the records have been validated and their taxonomy identification has been improved by 76 identifiers.
The amazing number of observations so far (46,920) reflects the participants’ activity and the great potential of citizen science to expand the knowledge of the distribution of marine and coastal biodiversity; however, it should be taken into account that it is influenced by many factors such as the ease of detecting and photographing certain organisms, and site accessibility. Up to now, fish account for 41.2% of the observations; molluscs follow with 11%, cnidarians (8.2%), sponges (7.2%) and echinoderms (5.7%).
This mid-season’s dataset includes 784 observations, of which 63 are classified as alien, and 29 are listed as invasive alien, according to EXOCAT and/or the Spanish Catalogue of Invasive Alien Species. Among the observed are the red alga (Asparagopsis taxiformis), Asparagopsis armata, the Asian brown alga (Rugulopteryx okamurae), green alga (Caulerpa cylindracea), herbivorous crab (Percnon gibbesi), and the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). The value of these observations lies in mapping their presence, detecting potential hotspots and providing a useful indicator for tracking them over time.
Asparagopsis taxiformis, Comarruga, Tarragona. © Laura Colom, alguns drets reservats (CC-BY-NC) https://minka-sdg.org/observations/804758 |
Asparagopsis armata, Port de Colera, Girona. © César, alguns drets reservats (CC-BY) https://minka-sdg.org/observations/725520 |
Caulerpa cylindracea, Pals, Girona © Marta, alguns drets reservats (CC-BY-NC) https://minka-sdg.org/observations/790447 |
Percnon gibbesi, Ametlla de mar, Tarragona © Jaime, alguns drets reservats (CC-BY) https://minka-sdg.org/observations/831276 |
To date, many directly legally protected species have been detected by citizen scientists under the Catalan, Spanish, European and international regulations consulted. Of these, four are listed as endangered, 20 as vulnerable, and 23 taxa are included in Annex II of the SPA/BF Protocol, covering endangered or threatened Mediterranean species. The detected endangered species include Cystoseira foeniculacea, Gongolaria squarrosa and the Audouin’s gull (Ichthyaetus audouinii). Among the taxa included in Annex II of the SPA/BD Protocol are the spiny butterfly ray (Gymnura altavela) and the bull ray (Aetomylaeus bovinus). Participants have also recorded the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), both listed as valuable in Catalonia, as well as valuable coastal birds such as the common tern (Sterna hirundo) and the pied avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta). Together with all observations, there have been 121 observations of a vulnerable habitat-forming species in Catalonia - the Mediterranean pillow coral (Cladocora caespitosa).
BioMARató 2026 will be ongoing until 15th October; until then, individual participants, organisations and institutions can still join, submit new observations and support the monitoring of the Catalonial marine coastal biodiversity. If you are interested in joining, you can register here.