Fish tagging.
Kenya Wildlife Service
Regular MPA monitoring
Coral garden.
Kenya Wildlife Service
Training.
Kenya Wildlife Service
Managers and community members often have little training in marine and coastal ecological and social systems. Conducting monthly monitoring provides data about the system, but also provides a mechanism for managers to understand and witness changes in the system. Engaging community members in this process helps promote collaborative problem solving. Finally, this process helps managers better understand data they receive from scientists because they know what is involved in collecting data.
- Training in understanding marine and coastal ecosystems.
- Participatory process with managers, scientists, and community members.
- Agency support for use of boats and equipment for monthly monitoring.
- Scientific oversight of monitoring methods and data entry/analysis.
Collaborative monitoring of marine systems has been the single most effective component of the SAM program because it builds excitement for the marine system. Previously, many MPA managers and community members had few swimming skills and little knowledge of marine systems. Introducing them to monitoring has engaged many to dramatically increase swimming ability and participate. Further, the firsthand knowledge gained by doing the monitoring has increased understanding of challenges and willingness to find management solutions. However, data management is an on-going issue that needs scientific support and potentially data entry forms to help prevent mistakes.