In June we had a great time chatting to friend and fellow cruiser and Ocean Cruising Club member, Ben Shaw, who hosts the brilliant sailing podcast Out the Gate. Check out our episode #145 Inspiring Citizen Science: https://outthegate.podbean.com/e/freeranger-inspiring-citizen-science-ep-145/ It was such a pleasure getting to know Ben and his family during their 8,000-mile sailing trip the Pacific this past year. While anchored together in the lagoon of Bora Bora, Ben sat down with us to chat all things 'Free Range Ocean', navigating to Pitcairn Island and turning boat-kid-to-ocean-skipper .. and much more. Tune in here and see many other great episodes here:   https://outthegate.podbean.com/ Since wrapping up their big trip, he and his family are back in San Fran and while we miss them terribly on the high-seas (also for sundowners in beautiful places) there are two exciting things about that ... 1) Ben's an experienced science communicator with roots in journalism (National Geographic, public radio) and he's available for exciting and enriching work in ocean/climate communications or program management... get in touch with him via his LinkedIn. 2) SV Dovka is on the market in Tahiti after 40 years being sailed, loved and cared for by the same family - see here if you're dreaming of your own voyage in the South Pacific

On Thursday, August 21st, 2025, Conservation International and Free Range Ocean co-hosted a lively dialogue in Apia on the future of citizen science in Samoa. The session, held at Conservation International’s local offices, brought together sixteen representatives from government, academia, and NGOs to explore how everyday people—students, communities, and even visiting travelers like our crew—can play a vital role in building knowledge about Samoa’s environment and ocean. Citizen Science: Inclusive, Empowering, Essential We kicked things off after a welcome prayer by inviting everyone at the table to share a few words about what citizen science means to them. Participants described citizen science as a way to make science accessible to all, regardless of age, skill, or background - there was a lot of synergy in everyone's ideas and celebration of 'people power'. Other inputs were how citizen science is both empowering and practical: strengthening community participation in environmental management, fostering pride in Samoa’s natural heritage, and creating pathways for youth into science careers. Importantly, several participants raised how it also offers ways to integrate traditional ecological knowledge alongside modern research methods, ensuring cultural perspectives are honored. Lessons from Samoa’s Experience Sam Kwan, Principal Officer with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) (formerly of Conservation International), shared recent citizen projects trialed in Samoa—mangrove assessments, waste audits, coral restoration, and coral photogrammetry. These pilot projects revealed real enthusiasm from communities and schools, with the Guardians Programme gaining traction among youth networks. However, challenges remain: limited platforms to store and share data, gaps in expertise, and the need for practical, easy-to-follow methods that are safe and accessible for all. Looking ahead, expectations include clear data validation processes, provision of equipment, and building projects that are flexible across age groups and abilities. Free Range Ocean’s Perspective Duncan Copeland and Larissa Clark of Free Range Ocean (FRO) presented our own work—a sailing family and vessel committed to advancing marine citizen science globally. Through our open-access online directory of ocean projects, we’ve seen the power of linking curious travelers, yachties, and communities with research efforts. In Samoa, the potential is significant: citizen science could help fill knowledge gaps, provide valuable data on marine trends, and inform policy. Opportunities and Priorities The discussions highlighted clear opportunities for Samoa. While tourism and maritime sectors are presently under-engaged, there is great potential to involve resorts, hotels, and boaters in ecological monitoring utilising methodologies and tools already existing in the citizen science space. Voyaging and fishing communities offer rich networks for engagement. Traditional knowledge can be woven into environmental initiatives to strengthen both relevance and community ownership. Crucially, participants emphasized the importance of data transparency, ensuring information remains accessible and useful for all stakeholders. Recommendations for Action By the end of the dialogue, consensus formed around five key recommendations: The Development of a National Citizen Science Strategy  / Guidelines – with clear objectives, priority areas, and integration into policy. This is to be developed by Conservation International with input from many stakeholders ongoing. Create a Centralised Data Hub  – to validate, host, and share citizen science data. Engage Tourism and Maritime Sectors  – making citizen science a part of sustainable tourism offerings. Engage the international cruising community who annually sail through Samoa's waters to engage them in support of key action areas such as whale and turtle sight reportings using existing citizen science platforms / tools Identify existing citizen science tools, technologies and platforms any apply within the Samoan context and priority conservation areas Build Capacity and Support  – through training, safety guidelines, and provision of equipment. Raise Awareness and Visibility  – showcasing success stories and engaging schools and youth. A Connected Future The session closed with a sense of optimism. Citizen science is already happening in Samoa, but with a national strategy, stronger partnerships, and the involvement of communities, youth, and visitors, it has the potential to become a powerful force for conservation. As one participant noted, “These communities see things that we otherwise might not see.” Harnessing that local power, and connecting it to global efforts, is the path forward. Conservation International and Free Range Ocean are proud to support this journey—helping chart a future where every observation, whether from a student, villager, or sailor, helps keep Samoa’s ocean and environment thriving. We offer our deepest thanks to Conservation International for facilitating the meeting and for the attendees who joined in such a rich and informative dialogue. We look forward to further collaboration and supporting the engagement and participation of the cruising community. For any questions contact hello@freerangeocean.org

In August 2025 we wrote a special report for Yachting World Magazine on how sailors can get involved with ocean conservation and citizen science projects. You can read the main article on their website here: https://www.yachtingworld.com/cruising/the-ocean-citizen-science-being-carried-out-on-yachts-159606 And below is a special pull out interview with cruisers Sailing Tempus and Sailing Totem who we interviewed for the article too! Pick up a copy - the magazine issue is packed full of brilliant tips, articles and stories!

As a family sailing around the world, we wanted the Free Range Ocean directory to spotlight projects kids can do alongside parents or in class.   Use the Family Friendly  filter in our Ocean Citizen Science Project Directory  to discover even more ideas that match your route, region, or school topic. Sea Turtle Spotter (Upwell) Turtle on the bow? Log it! Sea Turtle Spotter invites families to record sightings (usually via iNaturalist or a simple form) to help researchers map movements, foraging areas, and habitat conditions over time. It’s an easy “see it, snap it, submit it” activity that turns curious kids into ocean detectives. Learn more in our directory:   https://www.freerangeocean.org/projects/sea-turtle-spotter   Free Range Ocean “See a turtle, snap a photo, log the location — tiny moments add up to big insights.” CoastSnap Beach day with a mission. Pop your phone into a fixed photo-point cradle  at a CoastSnap station, take a shoreline photo, and upload it. Thousands of repeat snapshots let scientists track beach change, erosion and storm impacts with surprising accuracy — a brilliant hands-on lesson in coastal science. Learn more in our directory:   https://www.freerangeocean.org/projects/coastsnap   Free Range Ocean “One quick photo, real coastal science — perfect for curious kids (and data-loving parents).” Marine Debris Tracker Turn a beach walk or dinghy ride into a clean-up + data mission. With the Debris Tracker app, families log each item they collect (caps, wrappers, fishing floats), feeding an open dataset used by educators and researchers. You’ll see your tally grow and spark great conversations about upstream solutions. Learn more in our directory:   https://www.freerangeocean.org/projects/marine-debris-tracker   Free Range Ocean The Big Seaweed Search If you’re in the UK, this “shore safari” gets kids looking closely at life between the tides. Choose a short stretch of coast, photograph and record target seaweed species, then submit your finds. Data helps track climate-linked changes, invasive species and ocean-acidification impacts — with clear ID guides to keep it fun. Learn more in our directory:   https://www.freerangeocean.org/projects/the-big-seaweed-search   Free Range Ocean ORCA OceanWatcher For cetacean-mad youngsters, ORCA pairs short online training with a simple app so you can log whale and dolphin sightings from shore, ferries or your own boat. Your observations help inform conservation work and protected-area planning across UK and European waters. Learn more in our directory:   https://www.freerangeocean.org/projects/orca-oceanwatcher   Free Range Ocean Project Typical time Where it works What you need Good to know Sea Turtle Spotter 5–10 mins per sighting Beaches, dinghy, at sea Smartphone & camera Check local wildlife-interaction rules; use zoom, no chasing. Free Range Ocean CoastSnap 2–3 mins at a station At CoastSnap photo points Smartphone Some beaches have multiple cradles — repeat over seasons. Free Range Ocean Marine Debris Tracker 10–30 mins per clean-up Shores, parks, marinas, decks Smartphone; bag & gloves Great for class challenges or marina clean-ups. Free Range Ocean The Big Seaweed Search 30–60 mins UK shoreline Phone/camera; ID sheet Choose a short transect; photograph target species. Free Range Ocean ORCA OceanWatcher 5–20 mins per watch Shoreline, ferries, private boats Training + app Short training recommended before first survey. Free Range Ocean Availability can change by season or location — check each directory page for current status and links to the organiser. Ready to get involved? Browse the full Ocean Citizen Science Project Directory , toggle Family Friendly , and pick a project that fits your next beach day, passage, or school activity. Free Range Ocean Know an ocean citizen science project we've missed out? Please tell us so we can get it added to the directory!

Freeranger in Maupihaʻa an atoll in the Leeward group of the Society Islands In June 2025 French Polynesia unveiled an ambitious and far-reaching marine conservation initiative at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice. President Moetai Brotherson announced plans to designate the entirety of French Polynesia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) – 4.8 million km² - as a Marine Protected Area (MPA), establishing the largest protected area in the world. This bold move reflects the region’s commitment to safeguarding its marine heritage, while aligning with global conservation goals. Within this huge area, 1.1 million km² will receive even more stringent protection under IUCN categories I and II—areas allowing only traditional activities and scientific pursuits. These include two core zones: 220,000 km² around the Society Islands and 680,000 km² near the Gambier Islands, where no extractive activities, such as industrial fishing or deep-sea mining, will be permitted. Additional zones for small-scale, artisanal fishing—limited to traditional pole-and-line methods from small vessels—will support cultural practices while maintaining ecosystem integrity. This incredible initiative not only elevates French Polynesia as a leader in ocean conservation but also underscores the power of local leadership, science, and ancestral knowledge working in concert. It sets a globally significant example, particularly for Small Island Developing States. The establishment of the MPA also blends modern governance with Indigenous stewardship. Brotherson emphasized that Polynesians have long managed these waters using ancestral knowledge. Surveys show overwhelming public backing: 92% of residents support marine protection. Eden snorkels with reef sharks in Fakarava's South Pass (Passe Tumakohua) - a famous diving location in French Polynesia , known for its "wall of sharks" where hundreds of grey reef sharks gather in the incoming current, offering an unforgettable experience for divers. This narrow, remote pass at the southern end of the atoll provides a spectacular display of marine life, including other shark species, Napoleon wrasses , and colorful reef fish, all within the protection of an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve . Key Features: -          World’s largest marine protected area – Covers almost 5 million km² of French Polynesia’s Exclusive Economic Zone. -          Highly protected core zones – 1.1 million km² under IUCN category I–II protection, banning all extractive activities. -          Cultural and ecological balance – Allows only traditional, small-scale fishing in designated areas using artisanal methods. -          Global conservation leadership – Positions French Polynesia as a model for ocean governance and protection rooted in local and ancestral knowledge. When we visited: April – July 2025 Swimming with manta rays was a dream come true for our crew - Maupiti Island was a perfect place to experience their underwater world as these majestic fish gather in large numbers in the lagoon around a “cleaning station” where they get cleaned by small fish. Reflections: Many boaters feel that French Polynesia is up there with the very best places in the world to visit, to cruise, and to dive. Our three months there from April to July 2025 completely blew us away. In the  Gambier Islands we saw some of the healthiest and most beautiful coral we have seen anywhere in the world, a true coral garden. The Tuamotus were another world again, with the many species and sheer abundance of sharks being the highlight. In the Society Islands, the corals are less happy, but the manta rays in particular were a highlight, and the islands themselves are just breathtaking. Of the many initiatives that are ongoing, a particular one focusses on ensuring vessels have a minimum impact on the bottom – mooring buoys are becoming more common, and are often mandatory, and in other locations boaters are encouraged to ‘float’ their anchor chains to ensure they don’t drag over and destroy coral heads. We applaud the French Polynesia government for the Marine Protected Area announcement to further protect this beautiful region. X marks the spot - the crew of Freeranger in a moment of solitude in paradise Some Citizen Science Projects in the Ocean Directory that you can participate in: French Polynesia Manta Project Happywhale Sea Turtle Spotter Allen Coral Atlas   If you know of any other citizen science initiatives in French Polynesia we should include in the Directory please get in touch and let us know!

Key Features:   Vast scale and pristine ecosystems –  covers 834,000 km² of ocean, protecting some of the planet’s clearest waters, extensive coral reefs, and deep-sea habitats largely untouched by industrial activity.  Extraordinary biodiversity – Home to over 1,200 known species, including many endemic fish, migratory whales, sea turtles, and rare deep-sea organisms.  Strict protection measures – Enforced “no-take” zone prohibits all commercial fishing and extractive activities, allowing only limited, sustainable fishing for local use.  Strong community led citizen science - islanders contribute valuable observations by recording wildlife sightings, monitoring fish stocks, and noting environmental changes  When we visited: April 2025  Overview:  The Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve, one of the world’s largest protected ocean areas, is fascinating. It surrounds the four remote islands of Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno in the South Pacific. In the early 2010s, local residents, conservation organizations, and the UK government began exploring ways to safeguard the area’s remarkably intact marine environment. After the 50 residents unanimously voted for the marine reserve, in March 2015, the United Kingdom officially designated the Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve, protecting roughly 834,000 square kilometres (322,000 square miles) of ocean.  The reserve’s creation was strongly supported by the Pitcairn islanders, whose small population of around 50 people relies on the surrounding waters for both subsistence fishing and cultural identity. Recognizing that their isolation offered a rare opportunity to preserve a nearly untouched ocean ecosystem, they agreed to strict protections that ban large-scale commercial fishing. This local commitment ensured the reserve would safeguard biodiversity while allowing limited, sustainable fishing for community needs. International partners, such as the Pew Charitable Trusts, contributed research and advocacy, while the UK government provided legislative authority and enforcement systems, including satellite-based vessel monitoring.  Key features of the Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve include some of the world’s clearest waters, extensive coral reefs, and seamount ecosystems that harbor over 1,200 known species, many found nowhere else. Its isolation has spared it from the impacts of industrial fishing and heavy pollution, making it a living laboratory for ocean health. Strict no-take rules preserve its rich biodiversity, from migrating whales and turtles to vibrant reef fish and rare deep-sea life. Today, the reserve stands as both a testament to small-island stewardship and a global model for large-scale, community-engaged marine conservation.  The success of an MPA rests on the shoulders of a local community. Citizen and community science was an important feature in both the creation of and ongoing stewardship of the reserve. Given the difficulty and cost of frequent scientific expeditions, islanders contribute valuable observations by recording wildlife sightings, monitoring fish stocks, and noting environmental changes in everyday life and via dedicated expeditions. Some use simple tools like logbooks, cameras, and even smartphone apps to document their findings, providing year-round data between formal research visits. This blend of traditional ecological knowledge and modern technology ensures that local experience feeds directly into global conservation efforts.  When ordinary citizens, as opposed to only brilliant scientists, are given the opportunity to participate in studies, and are encouraged to conduct some aspect of research by themselves, the change in ones outlook towards scientific research creates an infectious positive attitude among community members. Reflections:   Very once in a while, you get to make a lifelong dream come true.   I (Duncan) was 8 years old when the film Mutiny on the Bounty came out, starring a very young Mel Gibson and a slightly less young Anthony Hopkins. I didn’t know or care anything about the actors, but I can remember being gripped by the story of discovery and adventure, and of the idea of an island so remote, that no one could find you. In the following years as a ‘boat kid’ growing up onboard, and into adulthood, I had and continue to have a huge interest in historical naval novels, including anything and everything to do with the Bounty, and Pitcairn Island where the British mutineers and their Tahitian companions went to hide, and where their descendants continue to live to this day.  In adulthood, the Pitcairn Island group crossed into my radar in a very different way. My career focus has been on ocean conservation and particularly working on the issue of  illegal fishing, including the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). While most of my work has taken place in other regions of the world, in the early 2010’s I was for a short time on a working group that eventually led to the establishment of the UK’s Blue Belt Programme, set up to manage the huge areas of ocean that surround the  generally small and outflung British islands around the world, including in the Pacific.    Here also my interest crossed with Larissa’s, who has worked on a couple of projects that have focussed on the terrible plastic pollution that washes up on these remote islands, particularly Henderson. Despite its location far from any major population, Henderson Island has been billed the ‘most polluted place on earth’ - conservative estimates suggest that 3,500 to 13,500 new plastic items wash up on Henderson every day.   So, as we planned this ocean adventure that we’re on, a visit to the Pitcairn Islands was high on our list. In April, after a 3400 nautical mile crossing from Mexico (see our trip report here !) we made landfall on Henderson Island, staying for 2 days before the weather pushed us out and on to Pitcairn Island itself, where we managed to stay for 3 more, very bouncy days.   Henderson was wonderful, and heartbreaking. To land after a Pacific crossing at a truly remote and uninhabited Pacific islands was a privilege, and the unique vegetation and birdlife was incredible. However the plastic pollution is truly awful, and everywhere along the shoreline. Some of it had obviously been at sea for a long time, some looked very new. Fishing gear made up a large proportion of it, but we found everything from toys to shoes, plastic bags to bottles. Heartbreaking.  Pitcairn is truly the most welcoming place we have ever visited. That said, the anchorages are awful, and the landing frankly crazy. But once ashore, we have never felt more welcomed, or been somewhere that felt more peaceful than this island and it’s community - only 27 islanders were home at the time. To be able to explore Pitcairn and its history in person was just wonderful, and to learn more about this community, their lives, and their pride in their islands and the marine reserve was humbling - with special thanks to Bren, Simon, Miss T and all those who made our visit so special. A truly once in a life time experience. Examples of Citizen Science Projects in the Ocean Directory that you can get involved in:  Marine Debris Tracker   iNaturalist   Invasive Species in Pitcairn Islands   Other useful information:  If you're planning to visit Pitcairn Island by yacht be sure to read the Biosecurity leaflet about how to minimise your impact on the local environment and report any invasive species you see while visiting the island group - see it here.

As we sail further into the Pacific aboard Freeranger , our next upcoming stop is American Samoa - a place where traditional stewardship and modern science seem to intersect. The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa represents one of the most biodiverse marine protected areas in the U.S. characterised by ancient coral, rich fish diversity, humpback whales, endangered hawksbill sea turtles, giant clams and rare seabirds. The sanctuary safeguards vast coral reef systems—home to some of the planet’s oldest and largest Porites coral formations—alongside deep-sea reefs, hydrothermal vent ecosystems, and unique underwater archaeological sites. Ahead of arrival we've been learning how community participation isn't just encouraged—it’s essential to caring for the reefs, forests, and oceans that support island life. It will be exciting to see how this region blends cultural heritage with action-driven conservation. Here are some of the initiatives we found interesting to learn more about. 🌿 Community-led Marine Protection: Village Marine Protected Areas (VMPAs) Since 2000, American Samoa's Community-Based Fisheries Program (CFMP)  has empowered villages like Fagamalo  and Masausi  to design and enforce their own marine protection policies. These Village Marine Protected Areas (VMPAs)  now cover around 25% of the territory’s coral reef area (learn more here ) . These efforts are rooted in community culture and enforceable through local authority and government support as of 2008 (learn more here ) . 🐠 Coral & Water-Quality Monitoring: Training Local Citizen Scientists The National Coral Reef Monitoring Program  (NCRMP), managed by NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program, works closely with the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) and the Coral Reef Advisory Group (CRAG). Together, they've trained local residents—fisherfolk, students, tourism guides—to conduct snorkeling surveys , water sampling , and reef health assessments  using standardized protocols like the Rapid Ecological Assessment method (learn more here ). Capacity-building in this way ensures scientific skills are held locally and data collected informs reef management and restoration plans. 🤖 Education & Outreach: Inspiring Youth Through STEM and Citizen Projects The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa  has run a range of educational outreach programs, including “Sanctuary Summer Science in the Village” , ROV-building workshops, and underwater robotics competitions for high schoolers in the past (more here ). Camps and ongoing programs at the Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center  (which sadly looks to be temporarily closed for renovations until August 2025 - maybe we'll get lucky and it'll open while we are there!) help bridge traditional culture with marine science and hands-on experience for young islanders. ✅ Why This Matters: The Power of Citizen Science Theme Description Local Ownership Data collection and sanctuary designation are driven by village communities. Capacity Building Training potable to empower local scientists ensures longevity of projects. Youth Connections Education, STEM, and hands-on experiences build the next generation of stewards. Policy Support Data guides coral reef legislation, fisheries management, and public awareness.  📍 Next Stop: American Samoa At Free Range Ocean , we try to fuel our voyage aboard Freeranger by curiosity, storytelling, and meaningful engagement. Although we only expect to be in American Samoa for a few days we look forward to: Learning more and participating in reef monitoring or water sampling efforts where invited Support and share the work of local conservation leaders Document and broadcast what we learn aboard Freeranger Promote involvement via our Citizen Science Directory We’re arriving with open minds, notebooks ready, and a mindset aligned with the guardians of these islands. If you or your community in American Samoa are engaging in conservation or citizen science, we’d love to connect. Reach out via our Instagram [@freerangeocean] or email hello@freerangeocean.org Until landfall—fair winds and purposeful sails! 🌏🌊 Larissa, Duncan, Eden and Skye --- p.s. We love the NOAA poster below which features an ava bowl used for ceremonial practices, a Samoan fale (house) found in villages, and fautasi or long boat canoe. Underwater, tropical coral gardens teem with marine life, including iconic humphead wrasses, endangered hawksbill sea turtles, giant clams, massive Porites corals, and colorful parrotfish, while an oceanic whitetip shark and yellowfin tuna swim near the reef edge. Illustration by Matt McIntosh/NOAA Full PDF: https://nmssanctuaries.blob.core.windows.net/sanctuaries-prod/media/posters/2022-national-marine-sanctuary-american-samoa-poster.pdf References Community-Based Fisheries Program and VMPAs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masausi%2C_American_Samoa  & https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fagamalo%2C_American_Samoa NOAA Reef Monitoring Program training: https://coralreef.noaa.gov/aboutcrcp/news/featuredstories/mar25/amersamoa-wq.html NCRMP Socioeconomic monitoring details: https://www.coris.noaa.gov/monitoring/socioeconomic_AS.html Sanctuary education & ROV programs: https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/news/jan20/2019-education-outreach-highlights.html ASCC QUEST programme: https://www.crag.as/education-outreach National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Marine_Sanctuary_of_American_Samoa Rose Atoll biodiversity details: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_Atoll National Park of American Samoa: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Park_of_American_Samoa

We are honoured to share that Free Range Ocean  has once again been endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development  — better known as the Ocean Decade  — for another year July 2025 - 2026! Since our initial endorsement and the launch of our voyage, we've been blown away by the momentum and support we've received. Over the past year, we’ve added many more incredible projects to our citizen science directory , creating even more opportunities for boaters, sailors, and coastal communities to get involved in meaningful ocean action. The Ocean Decade’s vision is "The science we need for the ocean we want" , and we’re proud to be contributing to that goal through our unique mix of adventure sailing, citizen science, and storytelling . As a quick reminder, our work at sea focuses on three key areas: A Journey with Purpose - Contributing to, and enabling other boaters and sea-going folk to contribute to the smorgasbord of ocean citizen science and community projects that urgently need support and volunteers, including the establishment and expansion of the first global citizen science  Directory  dedicated to ocean projects. Adventure Science & Storytelling - Advancing knowledge and understanding of our global ocean by hosting local initiatives, early-career researchers and storytellers on board FREERANGER in the countries we visit.    Outreach and Innovation - Using FREERANGER as a platform for outreach and innovation, and as a testbed for innovative research-based or green-operational maritime technologies, from the simple solutions to the high-tech Our mission remains clear: to inform, inspire, and enable others to make their own positive impact on our ocean  — guided by the belief that everyone, and every action, counts. Explore the Citizen Science Directory here  – it's growing fast! Got a project we should know about? Send it our way so we can include it. A huge thank you to everyone who continues to help us bring this journey to life. With gratitude, Larissa, Duncan, Eden, and Skye

On Tuesday 10 June at 09:00 CEST (France time) join us on our Instagram channel for a 30 minute LIVE session co-hosted with #GenOcean and UN Ocean Decade to talk sailing and citizen science. We'll be on our boat, Freeranger, in the South Pacific while our friends and colleagues at UNESCO will be at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice. Tune in to listen or join in with Q&A! https://www.instagram.com/thefreerangecrew/?hl=en

On the 27 February 2025 we were excited to be hosted by the Ocean in Purgatory Project  and Marina Riviera Nayarit  at La Cruz for a Free Range Ocean Journey with Purpose  event. These events are designed to engage with both the boating community and local stakeholders on the opportunities, realities and fun of citizen science. La Cruz in February is a hub of boating activities. Boats are preparing to go in three directions – north to spend the hurricane season in the Sea of Cortez, south towards Central America, or across the Pacific to Polynesia. La Cruz also sits within the Bahia Banderas, an ecological hotspot and home to some excellent local ocean science and conservation initiatives – crucial as the region sees continued rapid expansion of tourist numbers and infrastructure. As such it was the perfect location for the event, and the facilities at the Marina Riviera Nayarit clubhouse were just excellent. Mike from the Ocean in Purgatory Project and PV Sailing was an excellent host, and gave an impassioned introduction on the important role at that boaters play as ocean citizens. During our talk, we presented the Free Range Ocean Directory of Citizen Science  projects and talked through some of the many projects that are listed there, focussing on those most relevant to boats going north, south and into the Pacific. We brought along some of the equipment that we have on board – some provided by the citizen science projects themselves, some we've easily made ourselves – and talked through our experiences of deployment from our boat. The audience was incredible, and – always our favourite! – had many practical questions about the realities of taking part in projects from their boats. We shared our experiences of our trial and errors when getting started on new projects - you don't always get it right the first time but it's always fun. Representatives from a couple of local initiatives also spoke about their projects and experiences, re-enforcing what an important role boaters can play in terms of managing their own impact on local waters and wildlife, and assisting local conservation efforts. Our thanks to all who took part, and the excellent hosting by the Ocean in Purgatory Project and Marina Riviera Nayarit at La Cruz!

After a few weeks of intense preparation based in La Cruz in the Bahia Banderas, we set off in mid-March on our Pacific crossing, a 3940 nautical mile (7,296 km) passage between Punta Mita, Mexico and the Gambiers Islands in French Polynesia. On the way we managed to stop in for visits at the marine protected area at the stark but beautiful Isla Socorro; the remote and uninhabited and beautiful Henderson Island, stunning except for the very present plastic pollution; and the historic and incredibly welcoming Pitcairn Island. Henderson and Pitcairn sit in the Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve, one of the largest on Earth. Larissa, Duncan, Eden and Skye arrive at Henderson Island after a 2468nm passage from Mexico. We arrived in the Gambiers, home of some of the healthiest coral reefs we have ever seen, in late April. Our longest time at sea was 22 days between Socorro and Hendersen, a distance of 3468 nautical miles (6422 km), most of it on the high seas. During the offshore passage we contributed to half a dozen citizen science initiatives with the intention of supporting multi-institutional researchers with ground-truthing, observations, and data collection. These took place on the high seas, beyond national waters. FREERANGER on the north west corner of Henderson Island However, as we were particularly excited to visit the Pitcairn Islands and their marine reserve, we wanted to engage with the Pitcairn community to ensure any projects that we conducted had permissions and were as useful as possible to the protected area. We had great engagement with the Pitcairn Island Governor and Island Council ahead of time, and a truly wonderful welcome once we reached the islands. While it is always fun, conducting citizen science projects at sea on a big ocean crossing presented some interesting challenges and experiences! Here’s a breakdown of the projects we took part in, what went right, and – also great for learning – what went wrong! Plankton and Plastic Sampling We were really looking forward to taking part in the Neuston Net Research Collective , which unites the academic world and the international boating community in an effort to conserve and understand our oceans through scientific research. The collective spans a wide range of research topics with one common theme: they all utilise Neuston Nets which are fine mesh nets often towed behind boats to collect samples of neustonic organisms, algae, plastics, plankton, seawater, and more. Unique access to these nets allows the folk at The International SeaKeepers Society  to pair proposed or ongoing projects with vessels around the world to collect samples from a wide geographic range. We were partnered to contribute to a project by Dr Rebecca Helm  who studies neustonic organisms in remote gyres and garbage patches and whose findings help shape new Marine Protected Areas and high seas policy. Duncan was slightly less excited when the net itself arrived in the mail, as on first sight it felt like a huge bit of kit to have on board our relatively small boat! However once we had found a good spot for it, and coupled with the comprehensive onboard kits which allow boaters to conduct plankton survey-style transects, we were ready to go. For our net deployments, we were concentrating only on areas in the high seas – i.e. beyond any country boundaries, which meant not requiring any specific permits. Our first deployments were near the equator, and second as we approached but well outside the boundary of the Pitcairn Islands, which also demarks the edge of the Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve, one of the largest in the world. A particular challenge on the days we’d planned for science was that the Nueston Nets need to be towed at speeds less than 2 knots, which is surprisingly difficult to achieve at sea (we hear that new versions of these nets are in development to be able to deploy at faster speeds). We took advantage of the two calm days we had on passage to deploy the Nueston Net, but even so we had to lower sails and turn on the motor to achieve the slow speeds. We soon figured out a good towing configuration, and also learned quickly that the whole crew needed to be aware it was science-time so nothing ‘like’ food scraps could go over the side – the net caught everything! Once the net was back on board though the real fun began. It was absolutely fascinating to see just the numbers and diversity of small sea creatures in each sample, from the highly active Copepods to tiny fish, and even a Halobate, the only marine insect! Happy hours were spent looking at this incredible life with our magnifying glasses and recording it in spreadsheets. Less happy to see was that every sample we collected contained evidence of microplastics. Now we have reached shore, we are preparing to submit our report and many photos to Seakeepers. We were also very excited to take part once again in the Global Ocean Environment Survey  (GOES) project, which seeks to better understand the more than  60% of global biomass that is made up of tiny animals and plants less than 1mm! These are the life support of the planet and are at a critical tipping point due to ocean pollution and acidification which has already reduced numbers to 50%. The project involves setting up a simple mini lab on board to collect and filter water samples for tiny particles and plankton twice a day, providing crucial data. When Freeranger came up from New Zealand to Canada in 2o23 we collected and analysed 500 samples! Due to weather conditions and the shorter passage we were not able to take as many samples this time, but several collections were made and analyzed, and will now be submitted to the GOES project to add to their database. Photos: filter deployment, looking at the microscope Since we set off from Canada in July 2024, one of the two citizen science projects that have been a consistent in our lives has been the Secchi Disk Study , public science project measures the amount of phytoplankton - minute organisms at the very start of the marine food chain - currently residing in the world’s oceans. To check the levels of phytoplankton in our ocean, they've developed a simple piece of equipment that you can order or make yourself and a free smart phone app for sailors and fishermen to use wherever they are in the world. The measurements are then entered into an easy to use app that the kids love. Secchi disk being deployed on FREERANGER previously in BC We were excited to do Secchi readings in the deep ocean, but enthusiasm and sea conditions did not align as much as we had hoped! Like the Nueston Net, Secchi disk deployment needs the boat to be slowed right down, and essentially at a stop, otherwise the disc flows away from the boat and you don’t get an accurate reading. This was very hard to do in our sea conditions, both in terms of momentum of the boat and due to up and down wave action. This latter also proved to put huge strain on the measuring tape of the Secchi, and unfortunately at one point overwelmed it, snapping so we lost a disk. Lesson learned, we have now made a more robust measurement tape using a thin line marked at 10cm intervals for deployment in more challenging conditions. Seabed Mapping While much of the journey was way beyond the reach of our depth sounder, whenever we reached one of our island destinations we continued to contribute to the Seabed2030  initiative, which allows boaters to increase global knowledge of the ocean by sharing depth measurements from our navigational instruments. The project is a collaboration between The Nippon Foundation and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO), Seabed 2030 seeks to inspire the complete mapping of the world’s ocean by 2030, and to compile all the data into the freely available GEBCO Ocean Map. Wildlife Reporting Throughout the passage our paths crossed with seabirds and sealife of all description. We dodged humpback whales as we left the coast of Mexico, snorkelled with very curious sharks in Socorro, and frequently had visits from boobies, many of whom tried to land on the boat – wonderful in the moment but you are not always so happy with what they leave behind! One day we crossed paths with a pod of pilot whales moving at a furious pace in the opposite direction, another we were accompanied by an albatross who was only too happy to snap up the flying fish that daily were appearing on our deck. In other parts of the ocean it went very quiet, and days would go by without seeing any wildlife at all, save an occasional glimpse of a petrel, those tiny wanderers of the seas. Throughout however we took notes of what we saw, and reported them into relevant projects. We have recently been enrolled in two courses to increase our knowledge and confidence as whale and dolphin spotters with the ORCA Oceanwatch  project, which started collecting data on cetaceans in the North Atlantic but now works globally. For turtle sightings, we are working with the Ocean Ecology Network’s  Marine Turtles project to collect data including sighting locations, species, size, and entanglements (luckily we have not seen one of these so far, but we have seen a shocking amount of discarded fishing gear, especially on Henderson Island). We’re now in French Polynesia, and all crew feeling happy and refreshed after what was a fast but often bumpy and wet passage. It’s absolutely beautiful, especially the diving, and we’re looking forward to time with friends and meeting new people in the boating and local communities here! We’ll be doing some more of our on-board citizen science engagement events in the coming weeks, stay tuned! Duncan & Larissa

Since arriving to the pacific coast of Mexico in the new year we’ve met dozens of new boats and their crews. Some have come down from North America this season, some have been here for several seasons, and a few intrepid crews have made their way here from Central America or the Pacific. As always it’s been an absolute pleasure to meet boaters of all types and from all walks of life, whose motivations for living at sea vary but who all share a clear love of the boating life. We’ve had some great opportunities to engage the Mexico sailing community with the Citizen Science Directory, and demonstrate projects that we are taking part in. On our way south from the US, we took part in the Baja Ha-ha  sailing rally with nearly 100 other sailboats, and were able to share information with the fleet via radio and email, as well as directly in our stops down the Baja peninsular. We continue to run into and spend time with many of the boats that took part in this fun event, especially the kid boats! One of the main ways that boaters communicate and share information here in Mexico is through daily radio ‘nets’, check-ins that generally happen in the morning on VHF. These are very local in nature, and you jump from net to net as you move down the coast. They are absolutely invaluable as an information source on everything in that particular location, from where to find a mechanic to where you can get the best street tacos, and also serve as an important safety network. We’ve had a great time engaging with these radio nets up and down the coast, sharing information the Directory and projects, and what projects we might be doing that day that others can join. The last part of a daily net invariably opens the floor for trivia and jokes, and sharing a short Free Range Ocean trivia  on ocean subjects large and small has become a staple of our mornings. Local cruisers clubs also provide an excellent chance to meet and engage with other boaters, and we have been so grateful for the warm welcome, the invite to do short talks, and the opportunity to leave communications materials for future visitors. Club Cruceros de La Paz  in particular was wonderful to visit, and we highly recommend visiting this excellent local cruising club and its morning coffee sessions to all boats who go into La Paz in Mexico. We've also been hosting some educational outreach events aboard Freeranger inviting our boat neighbours aboard to learn about projects we - and they! - can participate in during their cruising.   Over the past weeks we’ve hosted on board daily sessions of the Secchi Disk Study , a citizen science project established to help researchers understand the impact of climate change on phytoplankton. To check the levels of phytoplankton in our ocean, the project has developed a simple piece of equipment that you can order or make yourself and a free smart phone app for sailors and fishermen to use wherever they are in the world. We have been inviting cruisers daily to come aboard and take part in the readings, and learn more about phytoplankton. These sessions have just happened to coincide with a large bloom of plankton in our bay. At first this was met with grumbles from the fleet (about 30 boats), as it was clogging up everyone’s water maker filters! However over time we have seen the power of experiential education in action and real engagement and positive change in attitude to the conditions, as we all learned more about plankton, and had some spectacular nighttime swims in the bioluminescence. The daily Secchi reading became a key part of the morning net, as people both want to know for the science, and whether to run their water makers! It also explained why a humpback whale kept coming into the bay and cruising around the boats at anchor! As we enter our last few weeks in Mexico we’ll spend some time in Bahia Banderas, getting ready for the Pacific crossing in May. There’s both a very active net and a boat kids club here, and we’ll be working with both share and demonstrate various citizen science projects that boaters can do. It’s a pretty spectacular setting, with the bay currently full of very active humpback whales – each sighting of which can be reported by boaters of course!