We are citizens of an ocean planet, but much of it is out of easy reach for science. Every year, thousands of experienced and well-equipped seafarers venture offshore—ocean cruisers, racers and commercial vessels. Citizens of the Sea gives these ocean champions technology and purpose.

Our citizen scientists

  • Ocean Calling

  • Hinemoana II

  • Bella Vita

  • Diva

  • Eudora

  • Opal Lady

  • Whisky Romeo Hotel

  • Master Plan

  • Salsa

  • Yamana

  • Lion's Den

  • Taihoa

Meet all our sailors

With new digital tools and state-of-the-art devices, the roles of data collection and scientific analysis can be separated—citizens can collect and upload, scientists can process and analyse. The goal is to build a platform that provides insights into shifting patterns of life in our oceans.

Our sailors send richer data more cost effectively than has ever been possible. We have demonstrated that citizen scientists can generate data at an unprecedented scale, identifying 1 billion DNA sequences from 600 samples across 1.5 million square kilometres of ocean. This has been achieved for around 10% of the cost of traditional ocean data acquisition. Contact us for more information and partnership opportunities.

Citizens of the Sea didn’t happen overnight. We acknowledge the partners and funders who have contributed over a number of years to various pilot projects, hardware and methods that have brought this programme to life.

Join the crew

Citizens of the Sea welcomes enquiries from funding bodies, enabling agencies and ocean-based citizen science programmes who can see the value in collaboration, cooperation and resource-sharing.