citizen science 5.19.09

Cyndi DawsonDirector of Science California Program

Reef Check Foundation

Kenneth

Kopp

C

Reduced budgets and lack of staff resources in

agencies

Increasing data needs for implementation of EBM

Implementation of adaptive management

Increasing stressors on marine environment

Use immersion learning to build a constituency

of citizen scientists

Reef Check teams are in over 90 countries and

territories worldwide

Citizen scientists support improved management

of marine ecosystems

California program started in 2005 to monitor

rocky reef ecosystem

+ =

+ +

Reef Check Scientists Science Advisory Team

Information

Management

System

Reports

MEETINGS

AND

RELATIONSHIPS

End User =

Decision Makers

Data

Quality/Scientific

Rigor

Scientific

Outreach

Volunteer

Demographic

Experienced Divers

Government

State (e.g. Department of Fish and Game)

Federal (e.g. National Marine Sanctuaries)

Academic Research Programs

Scientific Dive Programs

Universities and Aquaria

Industry

Dive Shops

Charter Operators

MLPA Goals related to

biological monitoring

Protect Habitat

Conserve diversity

Protect populations

Help depleted fisheries?

RCCA Monitoring

Habitat characterization

Density of indicator species

Size structure for selected

organisms (abalone, urchin,

fishes)

Inside/outside site selection

Fishes

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PISCO

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DVAC EJAC ELAT GNIG HCAR HDEC OCAL OELO OYT PCLA RTOX SATR SCAR SCAU SCHR SMAR SMEL SMYS SPUL SRAS STRE SMNPN

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DVAC EJAC ELAT GNIG HCAR HDEC OCAL OELO OYT PCLA RTOX SATR SCAR SCAU SCHR SMAR SMEL SMYS SPUL SRAS STRE SMNPN

PISCO

RCCA

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As new tools like MPAs are implemented as part of fisheries management, data needs will increase

Data quality has been established and is continually assessed

Partnerships multiply resources and lower costs, increasing spatial and temporal scope

Volunteers are engaged and supportive of science based management

Approach can be repeated in other systems/regions

Acknowledgements

• California Coastal Marine Initiative of the David

and Lucille Packard Foundation, Richard and

Rhoda Goldman Fund, California Ocean

Protection Council/State Coastal Conservancy,

Quiksilver Foundation, Body Glove, SIMA,

UCSB Shoreline Preservation Fund, Patagonia,

Campbell Foundation, Code Blue

• Scientific Review Team

• Reef Check volunteers worldwide

www.reefcheck.org