Water-Related News

Nonprofit helps marine scientists study Southwest Florida’s waters

While scientists work to learn more about Southwest Florida’s beautiful waters, one nonprofit is helping with widespread data collection by engaging citizen scientists.

There are limited research vessels, team members, and time for widespread sample collection. The International Seakeepers Society wants to ease that problem by giving marine scientists extra pairs of hands to do that hard work.

“Seakeepers’ mission is to facilitate marine research, conservation efforts, and education, and we do that by linking the yachting and boating communities with the scientific and academic communities,” said Tony Gilbert, program director for the International Seakeepers Society.

The society’s new initiative is called the Neuston Net, a citizen scientist-run program.

“You don’t necessarily require a scientist or their team to be on board of a yacht or a boat to collect data,” Gilbert said.

The Seakeepers supply nets for people to take out on boats to collect samples for research projects that interest them.