In November 2024, Goumbook launched the “Empowering Ocean Stewards” pilot project, a new citizen science and ocean literacy project focused on addressing plastic pollution in the UAE. The project uses the internationally recognized COLLECT methodology. This marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time this methodology developed by POGO (Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans) is being applied outside its original scope, broadening citizen-led data collection for marine protection across new geographies.
The project is a collaboration between Goumbook, Al Kamal American International School-Al Azra (AKAIS), and the American University of Sharjah (AUS), with funding from Atlantis Dubai’s Atlantis Atlas Project. It engages high school and university students, particularly female students, in actively collecting and analysing coastal plastic debris from a beach in Sharjah.
Contributing to Global Ocean Pollution Data
Through this project Goumbook trains students to become citizen scientists, equipping them with standardized methods for collecting and analyzing coastal plastic debris based on the COLLECT methodology. One hundred Grade 10 students from AKAIS have completed training in ocean literacy and plastic pollution awareness. These students have embarked on both field sampling trips in November 2024 and February 2025 to Al Khan 2 Beach in Sharjah, where they collected macro-, meso-, and microplastics.
The samples are then analyzed in AUS’s environmental science lab, using density separation techniques and FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) analysis to identify the types of plastics collected. The data gathered will be shared with Goumbook’s global partner organizations POGO and the Ocean Conservancy, contributing valuable insights on how plastic pollution is distributed in the UAE. These findings will play a vital role in the global effort to combat marine pollution.
Fostering Youth Leadership in Environmental Science
Tatiana Antonelli, founder and managing director of Goumbook, emphasized the project’s importance: “Goumbook is proud to work with committed institutional partners and these dedicated student scientists to build a cleaner, healthier future for our oceans.”
This initiative not only equips students with the knowledge and skills to become active participants in marine conservation but also provides them with hands-on, real-world environmental science experience. By engaging youth in ocean stewardship, the project aims to foster a deeper understanding of plastic pollution while contributing to global efforts to protect marine ecosystems
Looking Ahead
As the project progresses, Goumbook will continue collaborating with AKAIS, AUS, and other partners to expand citizen science and ocean literacy efforts throughout the UAE. The results from this pilot project will be shared later this year, offering insights not only into the state of local coastlines but also the behavioral impact of engaging citizen scientists in its protection.
Through this initiative, Goumbook demonstrates how internationally proven methodologies can be applied locally to inspire a new generation of environmental leaders. The “Empowering Ocean Stewards” project is a crucial step toward building a cleaner, more sustainable future for our oceans.
For more information, please contact rebecca@goumbook.com.