Thomas Campbell, 6, looks over a species chart with his father, Tom. Other families were combing the rocks and tide pools for specimens during the Northeastern Marine Science Center’s Coastal Blitz. Photo by Paula Muller
By Gayla Cawley
NAHANT — Citizens were able to be scientists for a day while observing the diversity in the ecosystem.
Citizen scientists of all ages took to Nahant’s beaches on Sunday as part of the Nahant Coastal Bioblitz, organized by the Ocean Genome Legacy Center of New England Biolabs, which is located at the Northeastern University Marine Science Center.
Many people decided to stay on Canoe Beach, just outside of the marine science center, located in Nahant, climbing rocks or trudging through the sand, to search for sea creatures. After collecting their specimens, participants could then walk over to the center to observe their treasures, living or otherwise, under microscopes with the guidance of scientists.
Charlotte Seid, a staff scientist at Ocean Genome Legacy, said the bioblitz was in its second year in Nahant. She said the goal was to promote awareness of marine biodiversity with the hope that the citizen scientists would use their newfound knowledge to protect their local species.
“We’re helping the next generation of scientists,” she said.
Jon Puritz, 34, of Marblehead, said he works at the marine science center and was helping out. He looked around and recovered a seastar from a tide pool on Canoe Beach.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to understand the world that’s right in your back door,” he said of the event. “We’re just here to encourage people to learn about what’s around them.”
Danielle Nalesnik and Kira Bester, both 8, were with a girl scout troop from Swampscott. They liked finding shrimp and baby crabs.
“I liked climbing on the rocks and finding crabs and being with my friends,” Bester said.
Brothers Theo and Cameron Edgar, 9 and 12, traveled from Milton and were focused on the touch tank. Kids and adults could pick up or touch lobsters, snails, crabs and seastars, among other creatures. They had also collected specimens outside earlier in the day.
“We like to climb the rocks and look at the creatures,” Cameron Edgar said. “We found really cool starfish.”
Gayla Cawley can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley.