Sahar CHEBAANE, DEROUICHE E., BEN GRÎRA C., SALAH A., SGHAIER Y.R.
TunSea, 33 rue de l’Irak, la Soukra. Tunisia.
E-mail: sahar.chebaane@mare-centre.pt
THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AS A CITIZEN SCIENCE TOOL
FOR NON-INDIGENOUS MARINE SPECIES MONITORING IN
TUNISIA
Abstract
Citizen science approaches are emerging as an efficient way to improve data collection and help
monitor the invasion stages of non-indigenous species (NIS). In the Mediterranean Sea, UNEP/MAP
strategies and all the regional documents and frameworks for conserving nature recommend Citizen
Science to boost the capacity to monitor NIS distribution under the goals of better management and
large-scale biodiversity conservation. During the COVID pandemic in 2020, a Facebook group
"TunSea" was created to bridge the gap between Tunisia's scientific community and civil society. This
group became popular in a short timeframe, congregating policymakers, scientists and stakeholders,
such as fishers, aquaculture workers and sea users. Currently, the group has more than 35,000
members, who generated nearly 7 million interactions in 2021/2022 (posts, comments, likes, and
shares). The group was used to share knowledge about Tunisian marine species, stimulate debates
about marine conservation, share interests and contribute stories. Non-indigenous species were a
common topic in the group and NIS pictures were frequently shared by the TunSea members asking for
taxonomical identification or complaining about their direct impact. To share knowledge about NIS
and encourage the community engagement, a total of 20 pictures of NIS were posted in TunSea during
July 2021, asking the members to investigate these species and provide its name in the Tunisian
language. The results were positive, as the discussion on NIS species reached more than 50,000 people
and generated 601 comments, providing useful information on these NIS local names, distribution and
impacts in Tunisia, and the valorization possibilities for some NIS. Overall, his data contributes to the
knowledge on NIS distribution and impacts in Tunisia.
Key-words: Outreach, Community Engagement, Invasive species, Tunisia.
Introduction
In the past two decades, citizen science has become a global interest tool to collect data
over vast areas and long periods of time. It has contributed to raise knowledge on
ecological conservation and monitoring, such as non-indigenous marine species (NIS)
(Encarnação et al., 2021). Therefore, the use of citizen science as a tool to engage
citizens in gathering data on NIS distribution and their impact can represent an effective
early warning system for possible biological invasions.
Materials and methods
In 2020, a group called “TunSea” was created in the social media platform Facebook to
build a network of scientists, policymakers, fishermen, business managers, and any
citizens with a direct relationship with the sea. These parties can share and exchange
useful data for management, such as information on marine pollution, and the
distribution of marine species in Tunisia (e.g., cetaceans, turtles, and NIS). During July
2021, a methodology based on open questions was used to collect information on 20
pre-selected NIS from the group members. These included Tunisian common names for
2nd Mediterranean Symposium on the Non-Indigenous Species (Genoa, Italy, 22-23 September 2022)
89
TunSea, 33 rue de l’Irak, la Soukra. Tunisia.
E-mail: sahar.chebaane@mare-centre.pt
THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AS A CITIZEN SCIENCE TOOL
FOR NON-INDIGENOUS MARINE SPECIES MONITORING IN
TUNISIA
Abstract
Citizen science approaches are emerging as an efficient way to improve data collection and help
monitor the invasion stages of non-indigenous species (NIS). In the Mediterranean Sea, UNEP/MAP
strategies and all the regional documents and frameworks for conserving nature recommend Citizen
Science to boost the capacity to monitor NIS distribution under the goals of better management and
large-scale biodiversity conservation. During the COVID pandemic in 2020, a Facebook group
"TunSea" was created to bridge the gap between Tunisia's scientific community and civil society. This
group became popular in a short timeframe, congregating policymakers, scientists and stakeholders,
such as fishers, aquaculture workers and sea users. Currently, the group has more than 35,000
members, who generated nearly 7 million interactions in 2021/2022 (posts, comments, likes, and
shares). The group was used to share knowledge about Tunisian marine species, stimulate debates
about marine conservation, share interests and contribute stories. Non-indigenous species were a
common topic in the group and NIS pictures were frequently shared by the TunSea members asking for
taxonomical identification or complaining about their direct impact. To share knowledge about NIS
and encourage the community engagement, a total of 20 pictures of NIS were posted in TunSea during
July 2021, asking the members to investigate these species and provide its name in the Tunisian
language. The results were positive, as the discussion on NIS species reached more than 50,000 people
and generated 601 comments, providing useful information on these NIS local names, distribution and
impacts in Tunisia, and the valorization possibilities for some NIS. Overall, his data contributes to the
knowledge on NIS distribution and impacts in Tunisia.
Key-words: Outreach, Community Engagement, Invasive species, Tunisia.
Introduction
In the past two decades, citizen science has become a global interest tool to collect data
over vast areas and long periods of time. It has contributed to raise knowledge on
ecological conservation and monitoring, such as non-indigenous marine species (NIS)
(Encarnação et al., 2021). Therefore, the use of citizen science as a tool to engage
citizens in gathering data on NIS distribution and their impact can represent an effective
early warning system for possible biological invasions.
Materials and methods
In 2020, a group called “TunSea” was created in the social media platform Facebook to
build a network of scientists, policymakers, fishermen, business managers, and any
citizens with a direct relationship with the sea. These parties can share and exchange
useful data for management, such as information on marine pollution, and the
distribution of marine species in Tunisia (e.g., cetaceans, turtles, and NIS). During July
2021, a methodology based on open questions was used to collect information on 20
pre-selected NIS from the group members. These included Tunisian common names for
2nd Mediterranean Symposium on the Non-Indigenous Species (Genoa, Italy, 22-23 September 2022)
89