Your guide to becoming part of shark and ray conservation in the Arabian Seas
Introduction: turning curiosity into conservation
Every great scientific movement starts with curiosity – someone who looks at the ocean and wonders what lives beneath. In the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf, that curiosity is more than welcome — it’s essential. With their shallow waters, extreme temperatures and rapidly developing coastlines, these seas are home to a fascinating but fragile ecosystem where sharks and rays play a vital role.
Gulf Elasmo Project (GEP) has spent years documenting these species, studying their distribution, and raising awareness about their ecological importance. But the truth is, no scientific team can cover such a vast region alone. The most powerful allies are ordinary people — divers, fishermen, photographers, and travelers — who share their sightings and experiences.
This is where citizen science comes in: the collective power of individuals contributing data that help researchers understand, protect, and restore marine life. If you’ve ever seen a shark or a ray while diving or walking along the coast, you already hold valuable information. This guide explains how you can turn that moment into a scientific contribution.
What is citizen science and why it matters
Citizen science means that regular people, without a formal scientific background, take part in collecting and sharing data for research. In the context of the Gulf Elasmo Project, it means documenting encounters with sharks and rays across the Arabian Seas and Persian Gulf.
Why it’s important:
- Data gaps: Many shark and ray species in the Gulf are still poorly studied. Researchers often have no long-term datasets for these populations.
- Wide area: The region includes thousands of kilometers of coastline and open water — far beyond what research teams can survey alone.
- Local knowledge: Fishermen, dive instructors and eco-tourists often know specific spots where species appear regularly. Their observations fill crucial gaps in time and geography.
- Awareness: Citizen participation spreads understanding of marine life beyond scientific circles. Each sighting shared publicly helps replace fear with respect and curiosity.
Citizen science gives you a voice in conservation. It transforms a personal encounter — a glimpse of a stingray or a photo of a shark fin cutting through the water — into part of a collective effort to protect these species for generations to come.
Who can participate
Anyone with access to the water can contribute. You don’t have to be a professional diver or marine biologist. The project welcomes:
- Scuba divers — recreational or professional, who often visit reefs and wrecks where sharks and rays live.
- Snorkelers and swimmers — encounters in shallow lagoons and coastal reefs are extremely valuable.
- Fishermen — both commercial and local, who can provide records of accidental catches or sightings near harbors.
- Boat operators and guides — people who spend long hours on the water and notice seasonal changes.
- Photographers and tourists — visitors with cameras who capture spontaneous encounters.
If you can see, photograph, or describe a shark or ray, you can help.
What kind of data the project needs
Gulf Elasmo Project collects two main categories of data: photo records and sighting reports.
A. Photo data
Photographs are the most valuable form of contribution. They allow researchers to:
- Confirm the species identification
- Estimate size, sex, and condition
- Study markings that help identify individuals over time
Good photos show:
- The whole body if possible, especially dorsal fins and tails
- Any distinctive patterns or scars
- The surrounding habitat (reef, sand, open water, etc.)
- The date and location (GPS coordinates if available)
You can submit both underwater photos and surface images. Even low-quality shots are better than no data — they still provide clues about species presence.
B. Sighting reports without photos
If you couldn’t take a picture, the observation is still useful. You can describe what you saw through an online form.
Key details to include:
- Date and time of observation
- Location (as precise as possible: island, reef, or coordinates)
- Approximate depth and habitat type
- Species (if known) or description (color, size, shape)
- Number of individuals and behavior (resting, swimming, feeding)
- Weather and visibility conditions
Each report adds to the growing database that helps map species distribution across the Gulf.
How to submit your sighting
Submitting a record is simple and can be done in a few minutes through Gulf Elasmo Project’s reporting form.
Step 1 – Prepare your information
Before you start, make sure you have the following ready:
- Photos or videos (optional but preferred)
- Approximate location and date
- Dive site name or GPS coordinates
- Short description of what happened
Step 2 – Fill out the form
The online form contains fields for:
- Contact details (name and email, so researchers can confirm data)
- Location and depth
- Type of activity (diving, fishing, snorkeling, etc.)
- Description or attached photos
The form is available on the official Gulf Elasmo Project website under Submit a Sighting or Contribute Data. You can upload up to several images directly from your phone or computer.
Step 3 – Review and submit
After submitting, you’ll receive confirmation that your record was received. The team may contact you for clarification or to verify identification. If your image shows a rare or new record, you might even be credited in future reports or social media updates.
Data standards and requirements
To make your contribution scientifically useful, follow a few simple guidelines:
Accuracy matters. If you’re unsure about the species, it’s fine to say “unknown shark” or “stingray, likely Dasyatidae.” Scientists will do the rest.
Respect wildlife. Never chase or harass animals for photos. Observations should come from natural behavior.
Stay ethical. Don’t share exact GPS coordinates of endangered species publicly. Gulf Elasmo Project protects sensitive data to prevent disturbance or illegal fishing.
Image quality. Clear, well-lit photos are best, but blurry ones still count. Try to avoid filters or heavy editing that hides color patterns.
File format. JPEG or PNG are preferred; short video clips can also be attached.
Following these steps ensures your sighting becomes a reliable scientific record rather than a casual memory.
What happens with the data
Once your submission reaches Gulf Elasmo Project, it goes through several stages of processing.
1. Verification. Experts confirm the species and check whether the sighting fits known patterns. This step ensures accuracy and consistency across datasets.
2. Cataloging. Verified data are added to the project’s database, including time, location, species, and contributor (if you agree to be credited).
3. Analysis. Researchers use these records to identify hotspots for sharks and rays, seasonal migrations, and potential breeding or nursery grounds.
4. Conservation planning. Data are shared with regional authorities, universities, and conservation partners to support policy changes, marine protected areas, and education campaigns.
5. Feedback and outreach. Contributors often receive updates about the results of their participation — for example, maps showing where their sighting fits into the bigger picture.
This process transforms each photo into a measurable action for ocean conservation.
Examples of real participants
Ali, scuba instructor from Fujairah.
During a routine dive, Ali photographed a small spotted guitarfish. He uploaded the image through the citizen science form, and it turned out to be a rare juvenile of a species not previously recorded in that area. His report helped confirm a new nursery ground.
Fatima, marine guide from Abu Dhabi.
She regularly leads snorkeling groups in shallow lagoons and started logging every stingray encounter. Her consistent monthly submissions now form a valuable dataset showing seasonal patterns of cowtail stingrays.
Omar, fisherman from Qatar.
While hauling his nets, he occasionally finds rays caught accidentally. Instead of discarding them, he takes photos and shares them with the project. These records highlight areas of high bycatch risk and help design better fishing guidelines.
Each of these people represents a different background, but all share the same motivation: to protect the ocean they live beside.
The benefits of joining
Participating in Gulf Elasmo Project’s citizen science program has rewards far beyond recognition.
- You contribute to real science. Every submission supports ongoing research and monitoring that influences regional conservation policy.
- You build local knowledge. By observing regularly, you start to understand marine patterns, species behavior, and seasonal changes.
- You connect with a community. Volunteers join a growing network of divers, scientists, and educators who care about the same cause.
- You become an ambassador. Sharing your experiences helps replace myths about sharks with facts, inspiring others to respect these species.
- You see results. Many volunteers take pride in seeing their contributions appear in maps, annual reports, and awareness campaigns.
Citizen scientists are the backbone of conservation in regions like the Gulf, where fast development often outpaces research. Your involvement ensures that decision-makers rely on real, local data — not assumptions.
Volunteering beyond photo submissions
If you want to go further than submitting sightings, there are additional ways to volunteer.
Community outreach. Help organize educational events, talks at schools, or beach cleanups under the Gulf Elasmo Project banner.
Dive center partnerships. If you work at or own a dive shop, you can set up a “shark logbook” or encourage clients to submit sightings after each dive.
Field support. Occasionally, the project opens positions for local volunteers to assist with data entry, tagging, or survey logistics. Prior diving or marine experience can be helpful but not mandatory.
Translation and awareness. Volunteers fluent in Arabic or other regional languages can help translate materials and spread conservation messages across communities.
Being a volunteer doesn’t always mean being underwater — it’s about being part of a living network of people who care.
How the information is used for real impact
The data collected through Gulf Elasmo Project’s citizen science efforts contribute directly to conservation outcomes:
- Mapping critical habitats such as nurseries and feeding grounds
- Assessing bycatch rates and identifying risk zones
- Supporting environmental assessments for coastal developments
- Informing educational campaigns and exhibitions
- Advising governments and NGOs on species protection measures
This means your observation — a shark passing under your fins, a ray resting on the sand — can influence decisions that protect entire ecosystems.
Tips for effective participation
- Keep your camera ready but respect distance. Sharks and rays often move quickly, so short bursts of photos are better than chasing.
- Note environmental conditions: current strength, water temperature, and visibility add scientific value.
- Share your experience on social media with project tags, but avoid posting exact GPS data for rare species.
- Dive or snorkel responsibly: avoid touching coral, maintain good buoyancy, and don’t litter.
The more responsible the observer, the more reliable the data.
The bigger picture: citizen science in the Arabian Seas
The Arabian Seas are among the most challenging yet promising places for marine research. Harsh climates, shallow basins, and rapid development make long-term monitoring difficult. But the region also has one of the fastest-growing dive and tourism communities in the world.
By engaging those who already explore these waters, Gulf Elasmo Project turns that curiosity into conservation momentum. It bridges science and society, showing that protecting marine life is not limited to laboratories or policies — it begins with people noticing, caring, and sharing.
Every submitted sighting strengthens our understanding of this unique ecosystem, ensuring sharks and rays remain a part of the Gulf’s living heritage.
Conclusion: your photo can make a difference
Sharks and rays have survived in the Arabian Sea for millions of years, yet their future depends on our awareness today. The Gulf Elasmo Project invites everyone — divers, fishermen, guides, travelers — to become part of a collective effort to document and protect these species.
You don’t need special training, expensive equipment, or scientific expertise. You just need attention, respect, and the willingness to share what you see.
Every photo, every report, every volunteer hour adds a pixel to the larger picture of marine life in the Gulf. Together, we can turn individual moments of wonder into lasting action for ocean conservation.
