I've been submitting sevengill shark encounters to Ocean Sanctuaries' database for the past several years and am very pleased with how the organization has grown over time, streamlining their data acquisition software and working with scientists to bring in the latest
Mission: Ocean Sanctuaries mission is to inspire people to actively participate in ocean-related citizen science projects around conservation and habitat preservation.
We do this by creating a community which educates and shares information through multi-media, social media, and the web. We engage in citizen science projects for species baseline studies, monitoring, conservation and documentary filmmaking related to ocean ecology. We make relevant data and imagery available to the general public, scientists, and like-minded organizations.
Results: We have successfully launched and maintained active citizen science participation in 3 marine CS programs: one artificial reef monitoring program and two citizen science shark programs.
We have also been the subject of a KPBS Public Television special featuring NPR reporter Erik Anderson:
https://youtu.be/I-7l4EDPWos
Target demographics: oster greater understanding, wise ecology, species protection and good stewardship of the ocean and related habitats
Geographic areas served: the San Diego and other coastal areas
Programs: Update: Jan. 26, 2018
Ocean Sanctuaries is pleased to announce, a joint venture with Reef Environmental Education Foundation, a certificate in Marine Citizen Science. It consists of two modules, Part I: Basic (non-marine citizen science skills) and Part II: Marine Life ID 'fishinars' administered independently through REEF,
Each module may be taken together or independently, but both must be completed to receive the certificate. Using the MIT model for online courses, the course will be free of charge, but here will be a small, nominal fee for the certificate.
See link below for more information::
https://elearning.oceansanctuaries.org/collections
I've been submitting sevengill shark encounters to Ocean Sanctuaries' database for the past several years and am very pleased with how the organization has grown over time, streamlining their data acquisition software and working with scientists to bring in the latest identification technologies. As a diver who loves our sharks, I was excited for the opportunity to collectively discover more about the most mysterious ones in our own back yard. Ocean Sanctuaries founders Mike Bear and Barbara Lloyd work hard to engage the San Diego dive community and provide unique opportunities for us to collect data. More recently, I've begun contributing to their long term survey of life on the Yukon artificial reef. I'm looking forward to seeing where the data takes us!
Ocean Sanctuaries hosts really fun and educational "Bio-Blitz" events. We get to go explore tidepools and have a ton of fun doing it. My whole family came and we got to learn about new critters, helped collect data, and had a great time doing it. If you get a chance to participate in one of these events I highly recommend it.
These folks are amazing. Actually getting citizen scientists involved and doing real work. They treat volunteers like family and clearly understand the importance of their efforts. Community involvement, education, & open source research.
Thanks for your comment, Chris. It means a lot coming from you, who have done so much to help with the plight of sharks, both locally and internationally.
Ocean Sanctuaries provides the public with a means to participate in ocean-related citizen science projects which contribute to the scientific understanding of the ocean and sharks.
Comments ( 1 )
OceanSanctuaries 12/28/2017 Thank you so much for all of your contributions. It is volunteers like yourself that make a difference!