In Cameroon and other resource-limited countries, marine wildlide data relies heavily on anecdotal reports and one-off surveys, leading to substantial knowledge gaps that hinder effective conservation efforts. The scarcity of scientific expertise, combined with the high cost of dedicated boat surveys, presents a significant barrier to marine wildlife research and conservation.

Fishers and marine species share habitats and resources on a daily basis, creating potential for fishers to act as citizen scientists. We established a network of over 80 fishers who regularly report marine wildlife sightings using a Smartphone App, SIREN. This user-friendly app, compatible with Android and iOS, allows fishermen to document marine mega-fauna sightings, and to capture and upload up to four photographs, along with additional information such as a description. The App automatically associates a location and date with the report, providing data that can be used to co-design conservation measures.