DIVEREPORTER-MAC Project

The present project builds upon the DiveReporter marine monitoring platform (developed by ARDITI and validated in Madeira and Porto Santo) with the aim of expanding its application across the Macaronesian region. Based on citizen science, the project engages diving operators in recording bioindicator species (e.g., conservation, invasive, or commercial species), defined in collaboration with local scientific partners (universities and research institutes). Crucially, the platform allows for the management of distinct species lists, adapted to the ecological specificities of each region. 

The DiveReporter (mobile application and web interface) enables the independent collection of information by users and partners, with centralised data processing. It also provides data analysis and automatic export of outputs (reports and datasets), thus facilitating their use by managers and researchers.
In addition to supplying relevant information for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the expansion of the DiveReporter network will enhance the detection of changes in the spatial distribution patterns and seasonality of marine species. This is essential for understanding the impacts of climate change on Macaronesian ecosystems and for identifying anomalies. The sustained expansion of this tool requires collaboration with regional technical partners, responsible for local management, adaptation of species lists, and training and coordination of diving operators, thereby ensuring the regional relevance and effectiveness of the platform.

This project is aligned with the following Sustainable Development Goal (SDG):