The United Nation’s Ocean Decade calls for knowledge-production and governance to create “the science we need for the Ocean we want” (UN Ocean Decade) gave impetus to a large number of citizen science (CS) initiatives in marine context. However, when applied to marine research CS is still hampered by some practical and heuristic limitations. The paper presents and analyses the pilot work of the EU sub-project “SeaPaCS _Participatory Citizen Science against marine pollution” conducted in a mid-size coastal Mediterranean city in Italy, with the aim to raise awareness about the presence of marine plastic pollution; and to trigger bottom-up agency for sustainability-oriented behaviours. Elaborating on lesson-learned during the project, the paper discusses whether and to what extent a participatory, transdisciplinary/transectoral and critical approach may help addressing these limiting factors and to generate transformative knowledge in application contexts. Notably, it consider how a fully participatory CS process, deploying social and biological analytic methods, and mobilising broad collaboration network can help at overcoming the extractive approach of traditional marine CS, the inaccessibility of the oceanic environment for lay citizen, the citizens’ disengagement connected to their scarce interest for the investigated issue, and the lack of long-lasting impacts. Moreover, engaging with critical ocean studies in geographical research, the paper suggest a participatory and critical approach to marine CS can produce transformative results and stimulate follow-up initiatives.

The rate of loss of biodiversity (terrestrial and marine) is one of the nine critical environmental thresholds associated with subsystems or biophysical systems of the planet, beyond which the Earth system would undergo unsustainable, sudden and irreversible environmental changes. This factor is profoundly influenced by climate change and human practices, elements that are leading to the reduction and fragmentation of habitats and the development of a series of important physiological consequences within the species most affected by these phenomena. Among these, the so-called keystone species and umbrella species are certainly of extreme interest, that is, those species that are fundamental for the balance and survival of the ecosystems that host them, and are therefore able, with their presence or absence, to constitute indicators of the well-being of these biomes. In this context, the policies implemented at a national and international scale by political actors and the presence of centers specialized in the protection and care of these wild species are therefore fundamental. Therefore, taking inspiration from these considerations, this research, through the observation and mapping of the phenomena that are involving sea turtles in the Mediterranean and the analysis of a specific case study, the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre (STRC) located within the Natural History Museum of Salento (Calimera - LE), aims to underline how top-down policies mixed with bottom-up actions - in a perspective of protection linked to the mitigation of the consequences of anthropic practices and therefore compensation for the impacts of modernity - can be considered not only as actions to mitigate the impacts of the Anthropocene, but also as a first step towards the return to cooperation between humans and other animals as a method of adaptation, resilience and resistance of the inhabitants of the Earth to climate change.

Humans have profound historical and cultural connections with marine and coastal environments. Research has traditionally focused on the role of marine environments in providing food, economic resources, and recreational opportunities. However, intangible and relational dimensions, such as spiritual, symbolic, and cultural connections to the sea, have received comparatively less attention. Additionally, while regions like the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans have received significant attention in marine research, studies in the Mediterranean Basin have often focused on ecological, economic, and policy-driven topics, with limited exploration of intangible and relational human-sea dimensions.

To identify the extent of research addressing these gaps and establish the state of the art in human-sea interactions within the Mediterranean, a systematic literature search was undertaken.

This systematic literature review investigates the question: What are the different dimensions of human-sea interactions in the Mediterranean? The study examines how these interactions have been conceptualized and studied, focusing on methods, conceptual lenses, and thematic emphases. Key areas of interest include the interpretation of cultural heritage, the role of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in integrating cultural elements, and the incorporation of intangible cultural heritage into marine conservation strategies.

Using a structured search strategy and following the PRISMA guidelines, the review identifies studies exploring human-environment relationships in the Mediterranean. The analysis categorizes research by methodological approaches, specific dimensions of human-sea interactions, the extent of conservation strategies’ engagement with cultural heritage, integration of broader spatial and temporal dynamics, and the types of human-nature connections (HNC) addressed.

Preliminary findings reveal variability in how human-sea interactions are conceptualized and studied. Conservation strategies, while frequently cited as tools for biodiversity protection, often lack frameworks to incorporate cultural heritage or address the interplay between human and ecological systems. Similarly, MPAs, despite their prominence, are underutilized in engaging with cultural elements. Furthermore, many studies emphasize instrumental approaches to Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK), often overlooking its ontological and epistemological foundations.

By synthesizing existing knowledge and identifying research gaps, this study highlights opportunities to better integrate cultural and ecological perspectives in Mediterranean marine conservation. It emphasizes the importance of considering relational, symbolic, and identity-based dimensions to foster sustainable and inclusive marine governance.

Mediterranean marine ecosystems have been degrading at a pace and scale at which conservation measures alone are insufficient to halt the decline in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Anthropogenic activities such as overfishing, pollution and tourism are among the most impactful drivers of this degradation. At the same time, coastal communities in the Mediterranean Sea are exposed to a complex series of socioeconomic and political issues that impact their ability to address the environmental degradation of the Mediterranean sea, further compounded by accelerated climate change. However, the sustainable use of marine biological resources and a shift in practices could help tackle the needs of coastal communities while improving the ecological status of Mediterranean ecosystems. Citizen science and integrated bottom-up management approaches have the potential to successfully increase the effectiveness of the conservation and restoration of marine biodiversity.

Within this context, the MEDiverSEAty project aims to explore the relationship between humans and biodiversity by involving citizens in its conservation and to answer the following research question “What are the different human dimensions in the protection and conservation of Mediterranean marine biodiversity?”. To address this question, the project integrates human and biological dimensions through a doctoral network of 10 PhD students from a variety of disciplines-including geography, marine biology, philosophy, anthropology, engineering, political science -across six European Mediterranean countries (Spain, Italy, France, Malta, Montenegro and Greece).

Each PhD focuses on a key aspect of coastal communities and marine biodiversity, such as Human-Nature Connectedness (HNC), Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK), gender dynamics, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), fisheries management, socio-economic impact of microplastic pollution, and perceptions on biodiversity. By connecting these dimensions, MEDiverSEAty is developing a common theoretical framework for Mediterranean Marine Biodiversity Conservation, applying mixed-methods to generate policy recommendations and applied-research outcomes. The collected knowledge will be synthesized through workshops, seminars, project meetings and a concluding MEDiverSEAty symposium. By integrating human dimensions into biodiversity conservation, MEDiverseaty aims to foster long-term impacts on national and EU-level planning and governance strategies for a sustainable and holistic management of marine resources.