Involving the public in marine research: Citizen scientist divers monitor California's Marine Protected Areas

Ecosystem-based strategies have become an essential aspect of marine conservation in California, increasing the need for long-term environmental monitoring data to assess management outcomes and adapt accordingly. Citizen... [ view full abstract ]

Ecosystem-based strategies have become an essential aspect of marine conservation in California, increasing the need for long-term environmental monitoring data to assess management outcomes and adapt accordingly. Citizen science can address these data needs while involving the public in conservation science. One pertinent example is the implementation of a California-wide network of marine protected areas (MPAs). Management agencies are mandated to monitor the performance of these MPAs with respect to meeting their goals; for example, protecting diversity and restoring marine life populations. Reef Check’s California program (RCCA) trains recreational volunteer scuba divers as citizen scientists to conduct subtidal monitoring of an iconic habitat targeted for protection by MPAs: rocky reefs and kelp forests. Community members, in conjunction with staff scientists, then collect data that are used to not only inform future MPA management but can also help understand ecosystem responses to impacts such as ocean warming and acidification. RCCA has conducted state mandated baseline monitoring since 2007 as in all regions where MPAs were implemented throughout the state. Through this program, citizen scientists have established one of the geographically largest near-shore reef datasets in California. This level of citizen scientist involvement in subtidal ecosystem monitoring is unprecedented in California and demonstrates how citizens can perform ecosystem monitoring in challenging environments. Additionally, the public’s involvement in research informing marine management also builds a science-based stewardship ethic in the ocean stakeholder community.