The Full Story
About
This project embodies citizen science, engaging local stakeholders, whale-watching operators, and the general public in data collection. Through a non-invasive sampling protocol, we exclusively use naturally occurring cephalopod remains found floating on the surface, without disturbing the animals or their habitats. This approach enhances our understanding of Azorean marine ecosystems while respecting wildlife and sharing knowledge with both the scientific community and citizens.
In Press
Our work around São Miguel Island has attracted attention in both local and international media. These appearances have helped raise awareness of the project and showcase the commitment of the Azorean community to ocean conservation. Below you can find a selection of articles and features that have presented our research to a wider audience.
FRANCE 2 "Nous les Européens" - from 1:10 on the video 🇫🇷 2024
Açores Oriental article 🇵🇹 2022
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Fundraising
In addition to governmental funding, this project has been strengthened by successful fundraising campaigns that mobilised our community around ocean conservation. These campaigns provided not only essential support for fieldwork and sample processing, but also rapid access to funds, which is sometimes crucial for carrying out time‑sensitive research.
Thanks to the generosity of all contributors, public support and institutional funding together have been key to turning a local monitoring effort into a freely accessible cephalopod dataset for marine research in the Azores and beyond!
Heartfelt thank you
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Institution and financial support
Doctoral Grant awarded by FRCT - Fundo Regional da Ciência e Tecnologia (Secretaria Regional da Cultura, da Ciência e Transição Digital) – Ref M3.1.a/F/003/2021 (Programa PRO-SCIENTIA)​This work received a regional grant from the Regional Direction for Science and Technology (DRCT) under the grant M1.1.C/PROJ. EXPLORATÓRIOS/013/2022. It received national funds through the FCT – Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., under the project UIDB/05634/2020 and UIDP/05634/2020 and through the Regional Government of the Azores through the project M1.1. A/FUNC.UI&D/003/2021-2024. Projects Portal da Biodiversidade dos Açores (2022-2023) - PO Azores Project - M1.1.A/INFRAEST CIENT/001/2022; FCTUIDB/00329/2020-2024, DOI 10.54499/UIDB/00329/2020 (Thematic Line 1 – integrated ecological assessment of environmental change on biodiversity); DRCT Pluriannual Funding (M1.1.A/FUNC.UI&D/010/2021-2024) to the Island Biodiversity, Biogeography & Conservation (IBBC) group.