ANNUAL REPORT - Merman Conservation - Year in Review 2025

The year 2025 marked a phase of consolidation and strategic maturity for Merman Conservation. Activities expanded across research, artificial intelligence, policy engagement, and public outreach, forming an integrated conservation ecosystem. The organisation moved beyond individual projects toward a stable role as a knowledge hub supporting biodiversity monitoring, decision-making, and environmental stewardship at national and international levels.

Research and Field Activities
During 2025, Merman Conservation conducted fifteen wildlife surveys and launched five new projects. These initiatives strengthened long-term ecological monitoring and addressed emerging conservation challenges. Flagship projects included Exotic Encounters Mapping Alien Species, Pelagia Logbook Aegean Sea 2025, Corals of Greece, Mauve Stinger Logbook Wales, and the continued development of the WOOP Project under Merman Conservation Expeditions Ltd.

These efforts combined field observations with structured datasets, enabling comparative analysis across regions and taxa.

Scientific Publications
Five peer-reviewed publications were produced in 2025, reflecting a broad thematic scope and strong scientific output. Topics included mammal behaviour, bat biodiversity, marine ecology, tourism pressure on coastal ecosystems, and predictive modelling of jellyfish movement. The introduction of Predictive Displacement Theory established a novel AI-assisted framework for understanding species displacement patterns and positioned the organisation at the forefront of applied conservation science.

Digital Innovation and Artificial Intelligence
A major pillar of 2025 was the development of digital conservation infrastructure. Merman Conservation released seventeen public-facing AI tools and maintained fifteen internal AI systems supporting research workflows, manuscript preparation, data harmonisation, risk assessment, and species identification.

Six AI Field Guides were launched, covering seals, corals, sharks, nudibranchs, butterflies, and regional marine biodiversity. These tools improved accessibility to expert knowledge and strengthened citizen science engagement. The Android application Jellyfish in Greece further expanded public participation by linking biodiversity observations with structured datasets.

Policy Engagement and Public Consultation
Merman Conservation actively participated in policy processes throughout 2025. The organisation contributed to twelve public consultations in Scotland, one in England, and one at the European level. It also joined a collective statement signed by 213 organisations calling on Member States to maintain the protection status of the wolf.

In parallel, on-site wildlife assessments and practical guidance were provided to farmers and landowners experiencing conflicts with wildlife, translating scientific knowledge into applied solutions.

Partnerships and Networks
Four new strategic partnerships strengthened data sharing and institutional credibility. These included collaborations with GBIF and VLIZ as data publishers, Shark References, and BiodiversityGR for the Pelagia project. Through these partnerships, Merman Conservation datasets became part of the global biodiversity information infrastructure.

Institutional Development
Significant institutional milestones were achieved in 2025. The Zoologica Nexus Lab was established as a dedicated research and survey unit. The scientific journal Marine Notes was launched to support the open dissemination of applied ecological research. Three Intellectual Property Tokens were registered, reinforcing a long-term strategy for knowledge ownership and sustainability. Additional achievements included the Wise Scheme Certificate, expanded outreach materials, conservation guides, ebooks, and ISNI registration.

Communication and Outreach
Public communication remained a core priority. The podcast: The AI Conservationist was released weekly throughout the year, supported by video content, conservation posters, and practical protocols addressing bats, seals, and invasive species such as lionfish. These materials strengthened dialogue between scientists, practitioners, and the wider public.

Conclusion
The year 2025 represents a turning point for Merman Conservation. The organisation now operates as a multidisciplinary conservation platform integrating science, technology, and policy. Future priorities will focus on deepening impact, evaluating long-term outcomes, and securing stable resources to sustain growth while maintaining scientific integrity and societal relevance.