The Great Eggcase Hunt:

using citizen science to enhance our understanding

of species diversity & distribution.

Cat Gordon
The Shark Trust

An overview
Citizen science recording project

Established in 2003

Wild About Plymouth

The Great Eggcase Hunt.

Raise public awareness

Identify potential egglaying or nursery grounds

>48,000 eggcase findings reported
Funders

SG Haywood

Static life-history stage

Save Our Seas Foundation

SG Haywood

The Co-operative: Green Schools Revolution

Smart-phone App

Results

Dipturus cf. intermedia

Scyliorhinus canicula

Raja undulata

Public Reporting
Identification issues
Broken eggcases

Confusion
Accurate reporting
Location

Verification
Photos
Expert opinion

Ongoing Work
Publication of ten year report
Diver engagement; link egglaying grounds to beach records
Cefas collaboration; overlay groundfish surveys
Develop and launch smartphone app
Continue to expand public engagement
Develop GEH:USA with WCS and New York Aquarium
Extend international eggcase work; Dutch Shark Society
Maximise value of data set for next tranche of MCZ process; groundtruthing

Cat Gordon
Conservation Officer
cat@sharktrust.org
The Shark Trust
www.sharktrust.org