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ABOUT

eOCEANS

About eShark

Previous eOceans survey results have been used for several publications to assist with shark conservation. Results from eShark have been used to assist the IUCN data of sharks for the Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES). Marine biologist and researcher Dr. Christine Ward-Paige is the leading researcher and data analyst for eOceans.

Marine Biologist & Researcher
Dr. Christine Ward-Paige

eOceans is a collaborative scientific initiative in Canada. It focuses on informing ocean conservation efforts with “crowd-sourced” data. Marine citizen scientists, ocean industry professionals and others who actively explore the blue planet and make important observations every day can participate. The data is collected and combined with traditional and expert datasets to build a comprehensive ecological baseline of marine environments all over the world.

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eOceans provides a simple way for divers, snorkelers, paddle boarders, beach goers and even fishermen to report the sharks, rays and sawfish they observe for conservation. These observations or lack of observations are used to assess and monitor populations, communities and ecosystems. Most importantly the data is used to assess the need for marine sanctuaries, and monitor marine management initiatives already in place.

The most valuable marine citizen science Project

for shark & marine conservation

International Union for the Conservation of Nature
IUCN Red List of Endangered Species
Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species

eOCEANS &

eShark & Shark Guardian

Shark Guardian has been instrumental in the success of eOceans in Thailand. Shark Guardian regularly tours Thailand giving science-based talks to various audiences about the value of sharks to their ecosystem and describing their conservation concerns.

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While delivering these presentations they also encourage divers and fishers to participate and contribute their observations to eOceans. Shark Guardian requests (almost) monthly progress reports from eOceans which they use to target their efforts, celebrate the successes of the participants, and encourage regular participation to this concentrated count.

 

Thanks to the efforts of Shark Guardian, eOceans now has >14,000 records submitted from Thailand – one of the largest concentrated censuses in the eOceans database! 

HOW eOCEAN WORKS

How to use eShark

IMPORTANT: The 'ZEROs' is valuable data 

Even if you do not see sharks your zero shark observation record is still valuable. This is one of the biggest misconceptions regarding recording data for research. The zero’s are important for any scientific survey – it is the only way Sighting Frequency can be calculated. Also, the zero’s are extremely important for examining the effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas or fishing regulations. For example, if divers report zero’s in an area for 10 years then a no-take area is established. This is followed by a determination if, and how long it takes for sharks to respond to the protection.

STEP ONE: Do one of the following activities... 

Scuba Diving

Snorkeling & Freediving

Boating or Beach Walking

STEP TWO: Its not just about sharks, record your observations of... 

  • Sharks

  • Rays

  • Seals

  • Turtles

  • Sea Horses

  • Dolphins & Whales

  • Jelly Fish

  • Marine Debris/ Trash

  • Sharks mating

  • Presence of shark nursery

  • Spear fishing

  • Shark Feeding

STEP THREE: Record your observations to eOceans

  • Record your current observations

  • Record all your historical observations

  • Record all your future observations

  • Encourage others to record their observations

  • Like the eOceans Facebook page here below...

Downloads

RESOURCE & DOWNLOADS

eOceans Data Log sheet

How to use 

eOceans info sheet

eOceans information Poster

Log Sheet for collecting data

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