Did you know that Boot Düsseldorf, the largest annual yacht and water sports show in the world, is taking place this week? It opened on 17 January 2026. The event welcomes over 200,000 visitors from around the world, allowing them to visit 16 exhibition halls dedicated to boats and yachts, canoes, kayaks, rowing boats, diving, surfing, water sport tourism, maritime art, nature conservation and ocean protection. Visitors can discover a wide diversity of booths, try out multiple sports, watch World Cups and contests, and choose activities within a rich program of various talks, lectures, documentaries and workshops! Boot Dusseldorf is ongoing until 25 January, with many activities still taking place this weekend.
In hall 11, the Love Your Ocean initiative, in partnership with the German Ocean Foundation, presents how industry, science, and society can protect the ocean and the climate today. Many organisations are on site to present projects and engage in conversation with the public. The "Love Your Ocean" stage also hosts exciting talks and presentations. Amongst other presented projects, the EU-funded project CS-MACH1 is featured at the ‘Watersports and Citizen Science: Participative Ocean Monitoring’ stand alongside key partner projects and initiatives including the LandSeaLot project, the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) and The Ocean Race. Visitors can discover cutting-edge Marine Citizen Science technologies and data applications and learn how they can engage directly with ocean monitoring tools and contribute to marine science!
Have you ever participated in citizen science? Citizen science invites everyone to participate in science and research. It is an open and inclusive approach, with key characteristics: (1) citizens are actively involved in research; and (2) there is a genuine science outcome, such as new scientific knowledge, conservation action or policy change. [1] As a citizen, you can thus get involved in any field that interests you and learn along the way!
Teachers may find great value in involving students in citizen science projects. It creates an opportunity for students to experience research firsthand, discovering the pathway to robust knowledge. Students practice critical thinking and problem solving, and through taking stewardship discover that their contributions are incredibly valuable. It makes it possible to connect learning material to real-world issues. Teachers can get support to participate in citizen science. One of the Working Groups developed by the European Citizen Science Association (ECSA) is dedicated to Learning and education in citizen science.
Speaking of engagement, did you know that the European Union Mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters’ engages and empowers a wide range of stakeholders, public and private organisations, national, regional and local actors, coastal, riparian, islands communities, businesses, and citizens to actively participate in shaping the future of Europe's marine and freshwater ecosystem? Explore the Map of the Week to learn about Mission Actions across Europe and click on the symbols in the map to see details. By reading the map’s legend, you will see that Mission Actions are classified into five thematics, including one on citizen engagement, outreach, awareness raising and one on education and training. Can you find Mission Actions related to citizen science? Hint: the Universidad de Alicante (Spain) titled its action ‘Citizen science to mitigate marine litter’. Can you find it? Can you find others?
Wish to learn more about citizen science and/or education? Wish to get involved? Have a look at these resources!
- Find out about the work of CS-MACH1, LandSeaLot, EMODnet and The Ocean Race;
- Read the ten principles that underlie good practice in citizen science developed.by the European Citizen Science Association (ECSA);
- Learn about the ESCA Working Group on Aquatic ecosystems and citizen science;
- If you are a teacher, learn how your school can become a European Blue School and submit your project by 30 May 2026;
- Celebrate International Day of Education on 24 January!
The data in the map is provided by the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters.
The European Atlas of the Seas is powered by the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet).