Jellyfish in Hong Kong: a citizen science dataset

Abstract

The Hong Kong Jellyfish Project is a citizen science initiative started in early 2021 to enhance our understanding of jellyfish in Hong Kong. Here, we present a dataset of jellyfish sightings collected by citizen scientists from 2021 through 2023 within local waters. Citizen scientists submitted photographs and other data (time, date, and location) using a website, iNaturalist project, and social media. Sightings were validated using references from the literature. A total of 1,020 usable observations are included in this dataset, showing the occurrence and distribution of jellyfish in Hong Kong in 2021–2023. This dataset is now publicly available and discoverable in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility database and is available for download. This data can be used to enhance our understanding of the biodiversity of local marine ecosystems.