Acquiring a taste for coastal ecology: can we turn foodies into citizen scientists?

The far-reaching benefits of citizen science are widely recognized: from empowering individuals to actively contribute to new scientific knowledge, to building relationships and trust between scientists and the public, to the health gains of simply spending time in nature. At present, many citizen science projects take advantage of smart phones as low-cost and accessible method to harvest data over widespread geographical areas. However, limited interpersonal interaction presents a challenge when dealing with multifaceted issues such as invasive species.

Here we review an ongoing citizen science project, which employs a ‘deep-learning’ pedagogy to interact with an unlikely audience. The ‘Oyster Hunt’ takes place in the Limfjorden, Denmark, and engages with both ‘gastro-tourists,’ i.e. those willing to travel to learn about regionally important foods, and the local community. Participants are given a short talk about the ecology of the fjord, before being sent into the water to take samples in and around an oyster reef. Bringing their samples back to sorting stations, the participants then count, measure and weigh data with university research scientists on hand to guide and discuss along the way before learning culinary skills from gourmet chefs. After eating their hunt, the citizen scientists also took part in a reflective survey, digesting what they had learnt that day, what they felt they had achieved and how they felt about themselves as citizen scientists. We present this project as a case study for an alternative citizen scientist approach, whereby a new audience is exposed to the challenges of the changing fjord, learns ecological sampling techniques and then actively engages with the subject through dialogue.

The data collected by the citizen scientists provided a comprehensive look at the invasive pacific oyster community structure which has contributed to our understanding of this species in a unique microtidal environment. In addition to engagement with the participants (N=87 in 2025), the Oyster Hunt has provided a springboard for dissemination online, where the conversation continues. From this example, we propose a framework for developing similar memorable events, as well as providing critique onto our own approach: 1) identifying which issue to engage with; 2) developing a multi-sensory approach to interact with that issue; 3) considering resources needed and fun collaboration; and importantly 4) reserving time to talk and reflect. As a gastro-tourism citizen science collaboration, the oyster hunt not only provided a memorable day out for some, it also provided dedicated time and space to think together about the future of the fjord.