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Examples of monitoring programmes conducted by volunteers

Marine monitoring is expensive and labour intensive, but
training volunteers to conduct marine surveys can
significantly enhance both prevention and the early
detection of invasive species, as well as helping with
limited funding constraints. In some Mediterranean MPAs
and in other coastal areas, local volunteer organizations,
fishermen and wildlife enthusiasts can assist in
monitoring the coastal waters and gather new
information to aid the early identification of new invasive
species. More importantly, the involvement of local
volunteers can have other benefits for the MPA, such as
facilitating a sense of ownership and appreciation for the
local marine environment.
For example, last year several recreational diving clubs
and schools in Malta surveyed a number of localities
around the MPA between Filfla and Għar Lapsi (North Invasive species trainning of marine volunteers in Malta.
Malta) for marine invasive species. Before the sampling Photo: MEPA (Malta Environment and Planning Authority),
started, researchers from the University and the Malta MedPAN North Project.
Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) introduced
the volunteers to the identification and survey
methodology in an hour-long training session.
Participants were provided with simple field guides
(slates) to identify the species of concern and the
monitoring protocol to follow at each site. By marking
these transects, volunteers collected data on the
presence and abundance of species. After the
corroboration of the data by experts, preliminary
information already showed the presence of the invasive
fishes Fistularia commersonii, Siganus luridus and
Stephanolepis diaspros along this coast.
Since 2009, the NGO For-Mare has been involving
volunteer university students and members of the public
in monitoring the distribution of marine alien species in
Italian MPAs. This successful programme follows a series
of summer student training courses (June–September)
on Marine Applied Ecology. Practical work includes the
use of visual census techniques for assessing the
abundance and distribution of alien species in five MPAs:
Cinque Terre (Ligurian Sea), Bergeggi Island (Savona,
Ligurian Sea), Pelagie Islands (Strait of Sicily), Torre
Guaceto (Lecce, Adriatic Sea) and Porto Cesareo (Lecce,
Ionian Sea). Additionally, at some sites, tourists can
follow shorter summer monitoring courses to recognize
native endangered species and their non-native
competitors. Volunteers are provided with underwater
digital cameras and guided by teachers on a brief
snorkelling tour in the study area, where they can learn
and gain confidence with species identification before
starting surveying other areas. Thus volunteers play a
leading role in data collection and interpretation in strict
collaboration with teachers and experts.
Local knowledge can also provide an alternative
information source. A study conducted in several Italian
localities, including the Linosa and Lampedusa MPAs in
the Pelagie Islands (Strait of Sicily), using fishermen’s
knowledge provided important information on the
Poster for the identification on
presence and dynamics of invasive species such as invasive species in the Ligurian
Fistularia commersonii and Siganus luridus (Azzurro et MPAs. Source: V. Cappenera,
Portofino MPA.
al., 2011). MedPAN North project.

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