Volunteer Seabirds at Sea (VSAS) is a citizen science programme coordinated by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). It recruits and trains volunteers to collect seabird and other marine species data from ferry crossings around the UK. We worked with JNCC to evaluate the programme’s benefits.
Alongside training volunteers to collect high-quality data, the programme aims to improve understanding of seabird distribution and abundance, inform conservation and marine management, and strengthen public engagement with the marine environment. As part of this, VSAS reporting supports the UK’s requirement to report on offshore seabird distribution and abundance trends under legislation such as the Conservation of Habitats and Species (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 and OSPAR.
As part of our research, we mapped the VSAS programme aims and structured them into process and impact evaluation themes, each supported by tailored research questions and, where appropriate, sub-questions. For every sub-question, we defined relevant indicators and evidence sources to guide and focus data collection activities.
The evaluation findings were grouped into the following categories:
- Volunteer recruitment and raining
- Communication with volunteers
- Barriers and motivations for participation
- The survey process
- Diversity of participation
- Community engagement and cultural benefits
- Data usage and knowledge benefits
- Funding opportunities
Our report contains a comprehensive analysis of each evaluation category. We collected primary data through surveys, interviews, and focus groups. This was complemented by secondary research involving a review and synthesis of existing evidence and programme documentation.
The findings indicate that VSAS is effectively managed, with volunteers feeling adequately supported in their training and experiencing effective survey coordination. The key gap identified relates to volunteers’ understanding of how the data they collect is used, as coordinator communications currently concentrate on operational rather than interpretive or outcome-focused information.
The VSAS programme provides significant added value to at-sea monitoring and effectively engages large numbers of participants in citizen science, offering benefits for wellbeing, skills development, and knowledge acquisition. However, the evaluation found that the programme was not yet achieving its full potential.
Recommendations for improvement to the program included enhanced engagement with volunteers beyond the functionalities of training and survey co-ordination, increased public visibility, and clearer communication of data to key stakeholders.
