Make a difference for the ocean with the eOceans app. 📸©eOceans
A comprehensive network of marine protected areas and reserves (MPAs) has been established in California to safeguard marine ecosystems, which are vital for the well-being and resilience of coastal communities. However, one impact-driven, forward-thinking community has gone above and beyond to actually track the performance of their protected area in real-time. Today, we're shining a Spotlight on this community to inspire others about what's possible.
Spotlight Project
In 2023, Ocean Science Analytics (OSA), a pioneering research and education company based in California, USA, launched its Marine Protected Area (MPA) Observer Program, powered by the eOceans platform.
With a small, dedicated team of local observers, OSA embarked on a mission to unite local experts to describe and track the performance of their protected off the coast of La Jolla —inside and adjacent to the Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve and San Diego-Scripps Coastal State Marine Conservation Areas — nearby the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and San Diego, California.
Impact generated by Ocean Science Analytics and their community to assess, track, and improve the performance of their local MPA. 📸©eOceans
Prior to this initiative, only 120 observations were available for this area, covering a 40 year period, in the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS), the global open-access data and information clearing-house on marine biodiversity.
Today, however, thanks to the dedication of local expert observers like Darren (featured in our Spotlight Member section), the team now surpasses that number in just one day. They aren't merely tracking the area's biodiversity, but also its activities, social value, and potential threats.
United by their shared commitment, this team doesn't only monitor the MPA's performance over time; they are working together to understand its success and are empowered to identify, communicate, and mitigate evolving threats, ensuring the marine area continues to thrive and provide for generations to come.
Spotlight Member
The impact generated by an expert observer, Darren, who is applying his expertise to track and support the success of his local MPA for his enjoyment and that of future generations. 📸©eOceans
Gray whales, orcas, sea lions, cormorants, lobsters, giant sea stars, boats, divers, SUPs, surfers, ghost nets, and more — Darren, a recreational and commercial scuba diver in California, logs highly detailed observations that offer invaluable insights about the areas inside and adjacent to the Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve and San Diego-Scripps Coastal State Marine Conservation Areas. As a valued member of the OSA project (above), Darren contributes his expertise to help track the health of this important area.
You can follow Darren in the eOceans app to learn more about what’s happening in his part of the ocean and discover more about how to log, working your way up to becoming an expert "Orca" observer.
Spread the Word!
Download this poster, and others via download folder to help spread the word!
Marine Fauna diversity poster to share on boats, shops, community bulletin boards, etc. 📸©eOceans
We’d love to have you join our global community of ocean explorers tracking the ocean in real-time:
Join eOceans on your mobile device (iOS, Android) or desktop. Use the mobile app to log what you see when you are under, on, or next to the ocean or a connected water body.
If you have found it interesting:
You can subscribe to get notified when I publish a new article, and you can follow or connect with me on LinkedIn. Thanks for your support!