MINKA is the central citizen science infrastructure for PHAROS Living Labs. It is a citizen science observatory that enables individuals and organisations to contribute verifiable observations, including images and sounds, to help track environmental indicators. The platform is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda and has been designated as an SDG Acceleration Action by the United Nations and endorsed by UNESCO as a Decade Action project.

In Gran Canaria, MINKA is used for citizen biodiversity monitoring and educational outreach, especially through BioBlitz activities and integration with RedPROMAR, an existing platform set up by the Canary Islands Government that uses citizen observations for monitoring marine life in the Macaronesian Region. The integration of these networks can accelerate impact while reducing duplication of effort.

At the January 2026 BioBlitz, participants collected biodiversity data at El Cabrón Marine Reserve, Biotopo de Arguineguín and Parque de la Atlántida in Gran Canaria, as well as Museo Atlántico in Lanzarote. At El Cabrón, a strictly protected reserve off Arinaga, citizen scientists catalogued over 400 species, including endangered angel sharks and elusive seahorses. At Biotopo de Arguineguín, they observed octopus and garden eels in artificial habitats. At Parque de la Atlántida, they documented how artistically designed, pH-neutral concrete can transform a barren sandflat into a thriving reef. All observations were logged on MINKA, transforming photographs into usable data for marine biologists.

The Fisher Guardians programme engages small-scale fishers and coastal users in data stewardship and environmental monitoring. It involves fishers and fishing cooperatives who take on an active role protecting the ocean, collecting and recycling abandoned fishing gear instead of leaving it to pollute the sea. The programme is driven by PHAROS partners PLOCAN and Gravity Wave in collaboration with local fishing communities, and deliberately reframes the fisheries sector’s image, moving away from being seen as part of the pollution problem and towards becoming a genuine partner in ocean protection.

In Gran Canaria, the Fisher Guardians pilot was launched at San Cristóbal port in collaboration with the local Pescatobal fishing cooperative. The programme has installed dedicated recycling containers at the port, making it easy for fishers to deposit old or damaged nets. A key component is the use of the Trinamix device, which can identify the type of plastic in a net in real time, ensuring traceability and quality. The first official collection removed 220 kilograms of discarded nets and fishing gear in a single operation, an early but concrete sign of the scale of accumulated waste at just one port.

The long-term goal is to transform this marine plastic waste into high-value products such as furniture and home decor, giving it a second commercial life. Logistical studies are underway to determine whether full recycling can be done locally in the Canary Islands or whether materials need to be sent to mainland Spain.

The Blue Schools Network is a core part of PHAROS educational outreach. It connects school communities with marine and coastal issues through experiential learning, working toward the Network of European Blue Schools. Teachers, students and educational stakeholders can adopt MINKA-based biodiversity challenges, implement schoolyard biodiversity audits, or co-create citizen science campaigns linked to curricula. In Gran Canaria, the Living Lab has connected with one existing Blue School and engaged 28 educators in accreditation and funding processes through a dedicated webinar.

The Gran Canaria Living Lab has facilitated connections between the MPA Blueprint Platform and local stakeholders, including managers and local government. This work supports MPA expansion and citizen participation through adapted BLUE4ALL platforms, and contributes to the development of ecological corridors in the Atlantic and Arctic basin.