Salmon Steward

salmon Steward magazine 9 R enowned anthropologist Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." "Thoughtful" and "committed" certainly best describes a group of British Columbians who are working as "citizen scientists" with the Pacific Salmon Foundation's Salish Sea Marine Survival Project. "They have come together as individuals from a range of non-scientific backgrounds," says Dr. Brian Riddell, president and CEO of the Pacific Salmon Foundation. "Whether operating data collection vessels, spearheading restoration of kelp and eelgrass or mapping the loss of critical habitat, they are helping us be everywhere at once in the Strait of Georgia, and that is really the No. 1 thing that makes our eŠort in the Strait of Georgia so unique and powerful." Citizen science refers to research collaborations between scientists and volunteers. The approach leverages volunteer resources to put more "boots on the ground", which expands the opportunity for scientific data collection, provides access to scientific information for community members, and creates an engaged and knowledgeable public. In fact, many volunteers already have a lot of "real-world" knowledge to oŠer about their local environment. The Salish Sea Marine Survival Project's Citizen Science Program engages volunteers who use their personal vessels to take oceanographic measurements in nine overlapping areas of the Strait of Georgia (see map on p. 19). The Project also leverages relationships with community groups who are citizen scientists in their local watersheds. MEET oUR CiTizEN SCiENTiSTS "WHEN My WiFE Nicole first heard about the Project, she decided that we needed to be a part of something that was making a difference and helping to make the fishery sustainable once again for future generations." – Ryan Frederickson, Qualicum Citizen Scientist "i tHiNk tHE CitizEN Science Program is a great way to have the general public help out and be involved. there [are] a lot of people on the coast with a great deal of knowledge about the ocean. it's great that the Pacific Salmon Foundation is using this as a resource." – Billy McMillan, Steveston Citizen Scientist "OVER tHE yEaRS i have witnessed the decline of salmon stocks in the Strait of Georgia to the point where i no longer fish salmon on the inside. i became involved in this Project because i believe it is the right thing to do and that it is about time we became serious about the health of our marine environment." – Ed Oldfield, Powell River Citizen Scientist "ENGaGiNG COaStal communities in nearshore marine restoration is one of the high points of the Salish Sea Marine Survival Project. the more captivated folks are by the beauty of nearshore life, the more likely they will reach others to conserve its complex and lively ecosystems." – Nikki Wright, Seagrass Conservation Working Group (story p. 14) CitizEN SCiENtiStS Span the Strait Volunteers o•er their time and expertise to the Salish Sea Marine Survival Project By elayne Sun

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