2024 Marine Citizen Scientist Photo Results: Unveiling Breathtaking Moments of Ocean Ecology

In 2024, the AI Ocean Marine Data Center brought together the passion of citizen scientists and the ocean wonders captured through their lenses. These photos not only document ecological data but also preserve stunning moments in nature. This article presents key performance indicators (KPIs) — including total photo uploads, number of contributors, and species count — while highlighting remarkable photos from each taxonomic group. Paired with geographic and species distribution visualizations, the article offers readers a glimpse into the rich marine life of Taiwan's waters. We hope to underscore how the data shared by these citizen scientists forms the backbone of a foundational marine biodiversity database, and to call on more members of the public and research institutions to participate and expand the future impact of this dataset.

Participation Highlights: 2024 KPI Data

By the end of 2024, the AI Ocean Marine Data Center had accumulated contributions from 8,357 citizen scientists, with a cumulative total of 19,905 photos uploaded. Of these, 1,694 photos were newly added in 2024. After filtering out 56 invalid photos — those that were blurry or impossible to identify — the number of valid photos reached 1,638, yielding an impressive validity rate of 96.66%. Invalid photos were excluded primarily due to poor image quality or because they were taken in non-natural settings (e.g., aquariums); these images are not included in the analysis and will be gradually removed.

Thanks to the dedication of all marine citizen scientists, 1,638 ecological records spanning Taiwan's coastlines have been collected, demonstrating the power of citizen science. The following sections take a closer look at the geographic distribution of photos and species highlights, revealing some exciting findings within the data.

Geographic Distribution of Photos: Divers' Favorite Ecological Hotspots Revealed

The 2024 photos were distributed across Taiwan's coastline. The northern region (including Keelung and New Taipei City) contributed 896 photos, accounting for 52.89% of the total, with hotspots such as Keelung Chao Jing Park and Longdong in New Taipei City emerging as focal points for ecological photography. The eastern region (Hualien, Taitung, Green Island, and Orchid Island) yielded 314 photos, or 18.54%, while the southern region (Xiaoliuqiu and Kenting) recorded 275 photos, or 16.54%.

As illustrated in "Figure 1: Geographic Distribution of 2024 Photos," the northern region forms a prominent peak, confirming it as the core area of citizen scientist activity. Diving destinations in the eastern and southern regions contributed unique records — such as rare fish species photographed on the sandy-muddy seabed around Penghu — leaving us eager for further exploration.

Species Diversity and Highlights: Annual Photo Selections

The 1,638 photos from 2024 cover a diverse range of species, including 81 photos of marine reptiles, 507 of fish, 235 of arthropods, 652 of mollusks, 75 of echinoderms, and 144 of other invertebrates. The following sections share data and standout photos from each taxonomic group, showcasing what makes them so remarkable.

Marine Reptiles: A Portrait of Green Sea Turtle Ecology

• Data: 81 photos in total (4.95%), comprising Green Sea Turtles (75 photos) and Iimasa's Turtle-headed Sea Snake (6 photos).
• Highlights: Among the Green Sea Turtle photos from Xiaoliuqiu, one image captures an individual with algae covering its shell — a living "ocean garden" — not only showcasing its natural state but also hinting at a subtle relationship between health and environment. Sea snake photos were fewer, but a crisp shot of an Iimasa's Turtle-headed Sea Snake gliding through the water still conveys the hidden beauty of the seafloor.

Fish: Rare Species Make an Appearance

• Data: 507 photos in total (30.95%), documenting 248 species across 71 families. The top three families were Pomacentridae (damselfish, 32 photos), Muraenidae (moray eels, 31 photos), and Syngnathidae (pipefish, 31 photos). The top three species were Hippocampus bargibanti (Bargibant's pygmy seahorse, 25 photos), Amphiprion leucokranos (white-bonnet anemonefish, 9 photos), and Chaetodermis penicilligerus (prickly leatherjacket, 8 photos).
• Highlights: A photo from Penghu documenting the robust ghost pipefish (Solenostomus cyanopterus) was the year's most exciting surprise — this species, which inhabits turbid sandy bottoms, was captured drifting serenely, an exceptionally rare sight. Another ecological shot of a crab-eating snake eel (Pisodonophis cancrivorus), known colloquially as "earth dragon," caught it poking its head out of the mud and sand — like an underwater detective — leaving viewers in awe of its secretive lifestyle. The Bargibant's pygmy seahorse at Keelung Chao Jing Park, dancing in miniature form alongside gorgonian sea fans, has become a favorite among divers.

Arthropods: A Double Delight of Color and Behavior

• Data: 235 photos in total (14.35%), with decapod crustaceans accounting for 217 photos (85 species across 34 families). The top three families were Palaemonidae (70 photos), Hippolytidae (35 photos), and Portunidae (14 photos). The top three species were a mimetic algae shrimp (30 photos), Lysiosquillina maculata (18 photos), and Hymenocera picta (harlequin shrimp, 8 photos).
• Highlights: A spanner crab (Ranina ranina) — commonly known as "旭蟹" — was recorded at Xincheng, Hualien, and Odontodactylus japonicus (Japanese mantis shrimp) was documented burrowing in the sandy bottom at Tongpan Islet, Penghu. Both species typically lurk in the mud and sand of deeper waters; although they are common seafood items, in-situ ecological photographs of live individuals are exceedingly rare.

Mollusks: A Visual Feast of Nudibranchs

• Data: 652 photos in total (39.80%), with nudibranchs accounting for 503 photos (176 species across 39 families). The top three families were Chromodorididae (137 photos), Polyceridae (62 photos), and Plakobranchidae (48 photos). The top three species were Goniobranchus collingwoodi (15 photos), Goniobranchus geometricus (14 photos), and Hypselodoris kanga (14 photos).
• Highlights: A photo of Ceratophyllidia africana taken at Chao Jing Park is one of the year's rarest finds. This species, with its fantastically vivid colors, may represent the first record from the Northeast Coast — a true gem of the deep.

Echinoderms: A Fleeting Glimpse of Hidden Ecology

• Data: 75 photos in total (4.58%), documenting 42 species across 23 families. The top three families were Holothuriidae (sea cucumbers, 19 photos), Ophiocomidae (7 photos), and Diadematidae (7 photos).
• Highlights: A crown-of-thorns sea star (Acanthaster planci) was recorded at Qimei, Penghu. This species feeds on hard corals and can cause large-scale coral reef die-offs, making it an important indicator species. This record serves as a timely reminder to pay closer attention to coral reef health.

The Power of Data: From Photographs to Scientific Cornerstone

These photos are more than visual delights — they form the foundation of a marine biodiversity database. The 1,638 photos illuminate the ecological diversity along Taiwan's coastlines: the crown-of-thorns sea star in Penghu alerts us to the health of coral reef ecosystems, while cryptic species on sandy-muddy seabeds provide crucial clues for conservation and research. Visualizations such as geographic and species distribution maps make the findings immediately accessible and spark public interest. In the future, these records can be applied to habitat monitoring, species protection, and climate change analysis, becoming a valuable resource for global marine science.

Join Us in Building the Marine Data Center

In 2024, citizen scientists across Taiwan told the ocean's story through 1,694 photographs — from the Green Sea Turtle's "ocean garden" to serendipitous encounters with "Pikachu"-like nudibranchs. Every photo is an interweaving of wonder and knowledge. These results not only enrich the AI Ocean Marine Data Center but also pave the way for future research. We sincerely invite more members of the public and research institutions to join us — use your camera to record the beauty of the ocean, let the power of data protect this blue frontier, and help write the opening chapter of a sustainable future.

Further Reading

• AI Ocean Biodiversity AI Data Center
• When Citizen Science Meets AI: Turning Seemingly Meaningless Data into Actionable Intelligence