Researchers at the University of Malta have launched a new citizen science campaign to track coastal erosion at one of the country’s most popular beaches. The initiative, led by the Oceanography Research Group within the Department of Geosciences, consists of the installation of a fixed cradle in which visitors can place their phones and take a photo of Għajn Tuffieħa Bay. They can use the QR code to send the photo to the research group, which will use the collected images to track how much the beach shrinks and grows over time. The data gathered will also be used by government agency Ambjent Malta and environmental NGO Friends Of The Earth Malta. The campaign is part of a worldwide initiative called CoastSnap, started by the University of New South Wales in Australia. Around 220 beaches across 20 countries are taking part. Marine biologist Alan Deidun said such initiatives were vital, since only two per cent of Malta’s coastline was sandy. He added that the campaign was not only important from a data gathering perspective, but also to encourage the public to participate in science. “I like to call it hands-on science. When you engage the public, they become more interested.” The initiative follows similar collaborations between the research group and Ambjent Malta, like Spot The Jellyfish, Spot The Alien Species and an initiative to track microplastics on beaches. Friends Of The Earth’s Martin Galea De Giovanni said the NGO is planning to install a similar frame on the island of Comino.