2023 Biological Classification Conference Recap — Building a Marine Life Database, Together

Taiwan's underwater ecosystems and seascapes have always been a mystery that divers long to explore.

The Database Initiative That Sparked a Conference

For many divers, it has been a stroke of luck to encounter BlueTrend and its ongoing marine life database and marine natural history projects — resources that let us get to know our seas in the most accessible way possible. Last year's Marine Citizen Scientist training course went even further, teaching participants how to identify marine life using a scientific approach and how to log their photographic records through the database to help researchers and government agencies analyse marine ecosystems. It was precisely because of that training course that the 2022 Biological Classification Conference was held on 7 January 2023 — bringing together marine-loving members of the public, divers who had completed the course, and biologists for a rare opportunity to exchange knowledge and ideas.

Every Photo Has a Story You Never Knew

At the opening of the event, BlueTrend founder Spark shared the phrase: "The ocean changes because I dive" — words that have profoundly shaped his journey and inspired him to establish BlueTrend and the marine life database, with the hope of laying a foundation for marine ecological research in Taiwan. He also shared how, in 2022, the database recorded the first-ever sightings of Japanese Butterfly Ray Gymnura japonica and Orectolobus leptolineatus in the Chaojing Marine Conservation Area. Both species are apex predators that can only survive in waters teeming with biodiversity. Their appearance is a testament to how the designation of a protected area can effectively boost the abundance of marine life in surrounding waters — a compelling case that has helped Taiwan's academic community and wider public recognise the critical importance of marine protected areas (MPAs).

In addition, a citizen scientist documented a Common Sponge Crab Dromia dormia cutting a sea fan to use as camouflage in Chaojing — a discovery that led those present to reconsider the 2022 incident in which a large sea fan in Chaojing was found broken. What had been assumed to be human damage may in fact have been caused by animal behaviour shaping the environment. It was a valuable lesson for everyone in attendance. The subsequent presentation of the Wide-Angle Award, the Rare Species Award, and the Best Wildlife Photo Award for the marine life database further showcased the beauty of Taiwan's waters and the remarkable rarity of the creatures — and behaviours — recorded within them.

Looking back at these records gave participants a vivid sense of just how important it is to document marine ecosystems. Spark also announced that the marine life database had undergone a major overhaul of its user interface, and invited everyone to try it out on the spot. The classification session quickly evolved into a lively gathering of enthusiasts — comparing photos of creatures they had encountered, sharing dive locations, and engaging in animated discussion throughout the venue.

New Records Can Hide Among Familiar Species

Wox Lee, who was on hand throughout the day, proved to be a living marine encyclopaedia, sharing knowledge and educating participants on all things oceanic. One member, for instance, brought a photo of what they thought was a nudibranch to Wox Lee, only to discover it was actually a Black-Spotted Velvet Snail Coriocella nigra. Another member shared a photo of what appeared to be a Banded Pipefish Doryrhamphus dactyliophorus; after Wox Lee's explanation, the group realised it was in fact a new record species — Dunckerocampus naia — distinguished by the tail pattern: a regular Banded Pipefish has concentric white rings all the way around the tail, whereas D. naia has red colouring on the tail with white only along the upper and lower edges. The room erupted in amazement that a new record species could be hiding among what seemed like a familiar fish — and because the location and depth of the sighting had been logged in the database, it now serves as a valuable search lead for anyone hoping to document the species themselves.

While practising with the marine life database, participants also discovered several of its clever features. Beyond browsing species classifications to quickly find reference photos, users can also see which species within a group have yet to be recorded — essentially a bounty board for new records, inspiring everyone to be the first to document them. Clicking on a photo within a species classification reveals all the records and locations where that creature has been photographed, and some species even display popular sighting locations (or "hotspots"), allowing marine citizen scientists to observe species from multiple angles, sharpen their identification skills, and know where they are most likely to find a particular animal in the wild.

Good change happens when we work on it together — to be continued…

The Ocean Changes Because I Dive

Following the database's latest update, photo uploads can now be submitted via Facebook, Google Drive, and other platforms, with LINE integration planned for the future — dramatically increasing convenience for users. From now on, anyone can contribute to species identification through the database, turning it into the Wikipedia of the marine world and helping those of us living on an island nation to love and understand the sea more deeply.

In closing, Spark announced that to encourage more people to upload photos, contributors not only become eligible for prize draws, but can also accumulate points based on the number of uploads and redeem them for rewards in the future. A number of exciting projects will also be launched this year derived from the marine life data, including the Giant Grouper Tracking Project — an open call for divers to photograph Giant Grouper sightings — and an advanced level of the Marine Citizen Scientist course, among others. These initiatives stirred a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation among those in attendance, as if echoing the founder Spark's opening words: "The ocean changes because I dive." It is our collective hope that in 2023, we can work together to leave behind an even richer record of precious marine life in Taiwan's waters, and bear witness to the good changes that continue to unfold.

Let's each do our part to contribute to the database!

• Marine Life Database

Further Reading:

• Marine Citizen Scientists Using Underwater Photography to Support Marine Conservation and Foundational Research
• A Marine Citizen Scientist's First Lesson — How to Take Identifiable Underwater Wildlife Photos
• The Chaojing Underwater Photography Competition Award Ceremony — Behind the Lens
• "Marine Life Database — Upload and You're a Lucky Winner" — Award-Winning Entries