Title: Citizen science as a resource to define threats to bathing on beaches: the case of jellyfish in Malaga

Authors: Francisco José Cantarero Prados; Ana Luisa de la Fuente Roselló

Addresses: Department of Geography, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain ' Department of Geography, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain

Abstract: This study characterises the threat due to visits by swarms of jellyfish on the coast of the province of Malaga, Spain, one of the most touristic in Spain. To achieve this objective, it uses the data collected by the Infomedusa and Medusapp applications, in addition to the historical data collected in the jellyfish layer provided by the Andalusian regional government. A geographic information system is used for the geolocation and compilation of the data provided by the three sources. The result is maps where you can see the areas of the province most exposed to the arrival of jellyfish based on recorded historical data. The information generated is very useful and could be combined with beach carrying capacity maps for better risk management due to the arrival of jellyfish in the province.

Keywords: jellyfish; beaches; citizen science; applications; Malaga.

DOI: 10.1504/PIE.2024.140515

Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal, 2024 Vol.17 No.1/2, pp.26 - 39

Received: 12 Sep 2023
Accepted: 16 Jan 2024
Published online: 21 Aug 2024 *

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