SOPHIE Blue Spaces & Well Being

As part of this mega-project, SOPHIE’s “Blue Spaces & Well-being” Citizen Science Initiative seeks to assess the effect that undertaking a marine activity at the coast/sea has on the well-being of those who engage in it, as well as on his/her relationship with the ocean. This initiative seeks to answer the following specific questions:

• Does engagement in (guided vs. unguided) marine ecotourism activities make a difference in increasing awareness on Ocean conservation issues or Ocean & Human Health interactions?
• Can participation in marine ecotourism activities trigger behaviour change on environmental issues related to Ocean & Human Health?
• Is this change short- or long-term?
• Does the previous experience of the participant have an influence on the response?

To answer these questions, people who are about to take part in a coastal or marine activity (coastal walking, diving, kayaking, whale watching, coasteering, swimming, etc.…) are invited to share their expectations and Ocean literacy level prior to enjoying the activity by filling-in a brief survey and/or to share their experience after the activity by filling-in a somewhat longer survey (easily completed in less than 10 minutes).