Beneath The Waves: A Dive Into Citizen Science In The Maldives

When I was just 11 years old, I dreamt of becoming a scientist, among other childhood aspirations like being a president or an astronaut. However, like many fleeting childhood dreams, this one, too, faded into the background as I navigated the trials of growing up. Little did I know that this long-forgotten dream would resurface when I turned 25, offering me a unique opportunity to step into the shoes of a scientist, if only for a week, without an extensive background in the sciences.But there was another dream that had always remained steadfast in my heart – the dream of scuba diving. My introduction to scuba diving was how most kids born in the '90s learnt about the sport – courtesy of the beloved film "Finding Nemo." Scuba diving stuck by me through the changing winds of becoming a "grown-up" and soon enough, I had completed my certifications to be a trained diver. Diving InAs the next logical step in my scuba diving adventure, I began searching for liveaboard diving experiences, envisioning a week spent on a 32-foot yacht, exploring the seas and discovering hidden underwater wonders daily. Fate had something even more exciting in store for me – the opportunity to learn how to collect scientific data in collaboration with marine biologists, contributing to the assessment of coral reef health. I eagerly embraced this addition to my diving journey.For one week, I found myself back in a classroom, albeit on a modern boat, engaging in lectures, tests, and, of course, countless exhilarating dives. Alongside ten other passionate individuals on board, I became a "citizen scientist," volunteering with Biosphere Expeditions.Biosphere Expeditions is a non-profit organization that has been dedicated to surveying the coral reefs of the Maldives for over a decade in partnership with the Reef Check Foundation. Their mission is to train individuals like myself, ocean lovers with a shared passion for conservation, to become "Eco Divers." Armed with scientific knowledge, these Eco Divers record valuable data, aiding conservationists, activists, lawyers, policymakers, and governments in making informed decisions for the benefit of our oceans.Protecting Vulnerable SpeciesBiosphere Expeditions' volunteering opportunities extend beyond the coral reefs of the Maldives. From Dubai's Arabian Oryx to Germany's wolves, wildlife enthusiasts can choose from a plethora of global expeditions, transitioning from passive wildlife observers to actively participating in scientific endeavours that protect vulnerable and threatened species essential to the natural world's delicate balance.In the heart of the Indian Ocean, a country heavily reliant on tourism, the fragile coral reefs face threats from overfishing, land reclamation projects, and the impacts of global climate change. As part of a team of eleven citizen scientists, my mission was to collect and compare data, assessing the reefs' current state. These coral ecosystems are vital, responsible for producing over 50% of the world's oxygen and absorbing one-third of the carbon dioxide emitted from burning fossil fuels – a significant contributor to climate change.Power of Citizen ScienceWhile the concept of citizen science may seem unassuming, the data collected by individuals like myself revealed essential insights. At Kuda Falhu in the Vaavu Atoll, a reef once devastated by the coral bleaching event of 2015-16, leaving only 1% of the living population, has remarkably rebounded to 43% in seven years. "This is right on track," explained Jean-Luc Solandt, our lead scientist on the expedition. "Science tells us that it takes 15 years for coral reefs to fully recover. So, we are halfway there!" Yet, the road to recovery is no longer as straightforward due to the influence of climate change. The upcoming El Nino event in 2023-24 looms, potentially affecting our recovering reefs.The coral reef faced a different challenge at another site, Dega Thila in the South Ari Atoll. It was almost entirely overrun by corallimorpharians, a type of sea anemone with no known natural predators, posing a grave threat to the entire reef system.A mix of hope and concern filled the air as we returned to our boat after our final survey dive. Dr. Matthias Hammer, director of Biosphere Expeditions, addressed us with words that resonated deeply: "There is a faint flicker of light at the end of the tunnel. While it may not be a cause for celebration just yet, it underscores the importance of citizen science. Only a handful of coral reefs remain in some parts of the world. We have not reached that point in the Maldives, and we hope that our modest contributions will help ensure we never do."My journey from an 11-year-old dreamer to a citizen scientist had come full circle beneath the azure waters of the Maldives. It was a reminder that dreams, no matter how long they slumber, have the potential to awaken in the most unexpected and meaningful ways. As I surfaced from my last dive, I carried with me not only the memories of my underwater adventures but also a renewed commitment to protect the fragile ecosystems beneath the waves.By Avantika Chaturvedi