A new initiative aimed at monitoring changes along Welsh coastlines is gaining traction as community members engage in documenting their local beaches through photography. This project, known as CoastSnap, invites the public to capture images of designated coastal viewpoints, thereby assisting researchers in assessing the impacts of storms, rising sea levels, and human activities on these vulnerable areas.
CoastSnap locations have been established throughout Wales, with several spots on Anglesey and Gwynedd selected for participation. According to the CoastSnap website, this initiative exemplifies "citizen science," which acts as a complement to formal beach monitoring surveys conducted by the Wales Coastal Monitoring Centre. The programme has also partnered with the Wales Coast Path to enhance its outreach.
Participants are encouraged to use smartphone mounts installed at specific coastal sites to take their photographs. These images can then be uploaded via a dedicated website, QR code, or the CoastSnap app. The Wales Coastal Monitoring Centre processes the collected data, allowing the public to view their submissions alongside those of others. An interactive map available on the platform also details the locations of existing CoastSnap sites.
One notable site on Anglesey features a viewing mount at Lleiniog beach car park, located between Llangoed and Penmon. This area has reportedly faced significant coastal erosion in recent years, prompting local advocacy for its preservation. Other notable CoastSnap locations on Anglesey include Beaumaris, Llanddona, Newborough, Parc Penrhos, Traeth Lligwy, Trearddur Bay, and Red Wharf Bay. In Gwynedd, participating sites are at Criccieth—specifically the Castle and West Beach views—and Traeth Penllech on the Llŷn Peninsula.
A spokesperson from Anglesey County Council stated, “So far the project is proving successful with the site in Beaumaris being at one time, the most productive in Wales,” highlighting the initiative’s positive reception among residents and volunteers.
The CoastSnap project is premised on the principle of capturing repeated photographs at specific locations to effectively monitor how coastlines evolve over time. Utilising a technique known as "photogrammetry," CoastSnap allows for precise measurements of shoreline changes, comparable to those achieved by professional coastal survey teams. The CoastSnap website emphasizes, “All we ask is that you take the photos at the same location by using one of our official CoastSnap camera cradles or a do-it-yourself adaptation, and record the precise photo time in the App.”
The initiative not only facilitates monitoring of coastal erosion patterns, but it may also bolster funding applications and serve educational purposes. The Wales Coastal Monitoring Centre outlines its aim to foster greater public engagement with coastal science and provide valuable data for analysis, thereby enhancing understanding of the dynamic coastal environments in Wales.
Source: Noah Wire Services