Ocean Sanctuaries’ Tide Pool Bioblitz Reveals Coastal Biodiversity, Empowering Citizens to Protect Marine Life!

Tide Pool Treasures: Ocean Sanctuaries’ Bioblitz Uncovers Coastal Biodiversity

Empowering Citizen Scientists to Protect Marine Life Through Hands-On Research San Diego, CA – 5 February, 2025 – Ocean Sanctuaries, a nonprofit dedicated to marine conservation through citizen science, has announced the findings of its latest Tide Pool Bioblitz, a large-scale biodiversity survey conducted along the California coastline. This event brought together volunteers, marine biologists, students, and local community members to document marine species in intertidal zones, contributing valuable data to global biodiversity databases. With coastal ecosystems facing increasing threats from climate change, habitat destruction, and pollution, this annual Bioblitz plays a crucial role in monitoring species trends and assessing the health of tide pool ecosystems. The 2025 survey not only revealed exciting new species records but also underscored the importance of citizen science in preserving marine biodiversity. “Tide pools are often overlooked but serve as a critical bridge between marine and terrestrial ecosystems,” said Dr. Emily Carter, Marine Biologist and Ocean Sanctuaries Advisor.“They are home to some of the most resilient and fascinating creatures, and through events like this, we can track how they respond to environmental changes.”

What is a Bioblitz? The Power of Community-Driven Science

A Bioblitz is an intensive biological survey where volunteers work alongside scientists to identify and record species in a specific area over a short period of time. Unlike traditional long-term studies, Bioblitzes provide a snapshot of biodiversity, offering real-time insights into ecosystem health. Ocean Sanctuaries’ Tide Pool Bioblitz focuses on:

Documenting intertidal species – From sea anemones and crabs to nudibranchs and small fish.
Tracking changes in biodiversity – Comparing findings with previous years to assess ecological shifts.
Engaging local communities – Encouraging public participation in marine science.
Contributing to global research – Uploading data to iNaturalist, a biodiversity platform used by researchers worldwide.

This year’s Bioblitz spanned multiple locations, including San Diego, La Jolla, and Monterey Bay, with over 250 participants contributing nearly 5,000 observations. “By engaging everyday people in data collection, we’re building a network of ocean stewards who care deeply about marine conservation,” said Barbara Lloyd, Ocean Sanctuaries Co-Founder and Director.“Every species recorded helps inform scientists about the health of these fragile ecosystems.”

Key Findings: What the 2025 Bioblitz Revealed

The latest Tide Pool Bioblitz uncovered significant trends in marine biodiversity, providing insights into species distribution, population density, and the effects of environmental stressors.

1. Species Highlights

This year’s survey identified over 150 intertidal species, including:

Nudibranchs (Dendronotus venustus, Hermissenda opalescens) – These colorful sea slugs serve as indicators of ocean health and were observed in record numbers.
Striped Shore Crabs (Pachygrapsus crassipes) – Essential for maintaining the ecological balance of tide pools, these crabs showed stable populations.
Giant Green Anemones (Anthopleura xanthogrammica) – Found in healthy numbers, suggesting low pollution levels in surveyed areas.
Juvenile Rockfish (Sebastes spp.) – The presence of young rockfish indicates that tide pools may serve as nurseries for offshore fish populations.

2. Climate Change Impacts

Rising ocean temperatures may be influencing nudibranch migration patterns, as species typically found in warmer southern waters were observed further north.
Increased sea star populations suggest signs of recovery from Sea Star Wasting Disease, which devastated populations along the Pacific Coast in previous years.

3. Human Impact Observations

Plastic debris and microplastics were found in 60 percent of surveyed tide pools, emphasizing the need for stronger pollution prevention efforts.
Habitat disturbance from human activity, such as excessive trampling, was recorded in high-traffic areas.

“We are seeing both encouraging signs of resilience and areas of concern that need further study,” said Dr. Jonathan Reyes, Marine Researcher at Ocean Sanctuaries.“This is why ongoing monitoring is so critical.”

Why Tide Pools Matter: Nature’s Resilient Ecosystems

Tide pools are natural laboratories, showcasing how marine organisms adapt to some of the most extreme conditions. These shallow coastal habitats are subject to:

Tidal fluctuations – Exposing marine life to both air and water conditions.
Temperature extremes – Water temperatures can shift drastically between high and low tides.
Variable salinity levels – Rainfall and evaporation affect salt concentrations.

Despite these challenges, tide pools are home to an incredible diversity of species, many of which serve as early indicators of climate change and ocean health. “The adaptability of tide pool organisms makes them fascinating subjects for study,” said Dr. Lisa Chen, Ocean Educator and Researcher.“By monitoring these ecosystems, we can detect subtle environmental changes before they escalate into larger problems.”

The Role of Citizen Science in Ocean Conservation

Ocean Sanctuaries believes in democratizing science, making conservation accessible to anyone with a passion for the ocean. The Tide Pool Bioblitz is a key example of how everyday people can contribute to meaningful research. Citizen scientists play a vital role by:

Expanding research capabilities – Allowing scientists to collect more data than they could alone.
Building a culture of conservation – Engaging communities in ocean stewardship.
Providing real-time ecological snapshots – Helping researchers track environmental trends.

All Bioblitz data is made publicly available on iNaturalist, where scientists worldwide can access and analyze findings. “Science isn’t just for scientists. Everyone can contribute to understanding and protecting our oceans,” said Barbara Lloyd, Ocean Sanctuaries Co-Founder.

How to Get Involved in Future Bioblitzes

Ocean Sanctuaries welcomes anyone to participate in future Tide Pool Bioblitz events. No experience is necessary—just curiosity and a willingness to explore the coast.

Ways to Get Involved

✔ Join a Bioblitz event – Attend an upcoming survey in 2025. ✔ Photograph and log species – Submit observations via iNaturalist. ✔ Attend a citizen science workshop – Learn species identification and data collection skills. ✔ Support ocean conservation – Donate or volunteer with Ocean Sanctuaries. For a full schedule of upcoming Bioblitz events and to learn more about how you can contribute, visit www.oceansanctuaries.org.

About Ocean Sanctuaries

Ocean Sanctuaries is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering citizen scientists to protect marine ecosystems. Through education, outreach, and hands-on research projects, the organization fosters a global community of ocean advocates working to preserve the world’s oceans for future generations.

Media Contact

Ocean Sanctuaries Barbara Lloyd Phone: +1.858.633.7305 Email: [email protected] Website: www.oceansanctuaries.org