External Stakeholder collaborations are encouraged and running on COSEA besides citizen science initiatives in place as part of TRANSEATION and EFFECTIVE project activities.
#FindWhereFound
Inspired by the first Irish female botanist, Ellen Hutchins (1785-1815), UCC MaREI team, with colleagues from Portugal and in collaboration with SPOTTERON team has developed an art-based herbarium specimens of seaweeds from coastal areas of Ireland. This initiative is aimed to inspire the viewer's curiosity and offers a hands-on ocean literacy example. The name #FindWhereFound represents the idea that the viewer can find the exact place the seaweed was found. Each specimen’s information includes the exact location at which the seaweed was collected with a QR Code. These QR Codes in turn lead to COSEA app digital map allowing the viewer to see the collection point, the observed habitat type and the timeline.
Marine Litter
A private initiative has begun to document marine litter on the COSEA app since 2024 with two hotspots – one at the coast of the Baltic Sea and the second one – at the Celtic Sea. What is particularly impactful about this initiative is the reported litter removal. This in turn encourages other users to comment, like and support this initiative and the activity has created reflections on the waste management strategies at the coastal region and responsibilities about litter removal.