Session D3: The Zoological Society of London's European Eel Citizen Science Programme
Location
Groningen, The Netherlands
Event Website
http://fishpassage.umass.edu/
Start Date
22-6-2015 4:15 PM
End Date
22-6-2015 4:30 PM
Description
Abstract:
The European eel has suffered severe declines in recruitment across it’s range and is listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. ZSL field staff have been monitoring the upstream elver migration in London’s rivers for ten years. In 2011, in order to expand the programme, we recruited the help of volunteer citizen scientists in this research. We have so far trained 396 citizen scientists and currently monitor recruitment at 11 sites in partnership with 14 organisations. The presentation will include; a description of the monitoring methodology, an explanation of how we recruit and work with our citizen scientists, news of how, with our citizen scientists, we are now using monitoring data to advise the installation of eel passes over barriers and therefore enriching the ecology of London's rivers. Our conclusions are that well designed citizen science programmes can:
•Produce valid data that can be used to guide conservation management decisions.
•Enable people to become more informed, active and skilled.
•Empower individuals and organisations.
•Build much needed capacity in the conservation sector.
•Be a very cost effective approach.
Session D3: The Zoological Society of London's European Eel Citizen Science Programme
Groningen, The Netherlands
Abstract:
The European eel has suffered severe declines in recruitment across it’s range and is listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. ZSL field staff have been monitoring the upstream elver migration in London’s rivers for ten years. In 2011, in order to expand the programme, we recruited the help of volunteer citizen scientists in this research. We have so far trained 396 citizen scientists and currently monitor recruitment at 11 sites in partnership with 14 organisations. The presentation will include; a description of the monitoring methodology, an explanation of how we recruit and work with our citizen scientists, news of how, with our citizen scientists, we are now using monitoring data to advise the installation of eel passes over barriers and therefore enriching the ecology of London's rivers. Our conclusions are that well designed citizen science programmes can:
•Produce valid data that can be used to guide conservation management decisions.
•Enable people to become more informed, active and skilled.
•Empower individuals and organisations.
•Build much needed capacity in the conservation sector.
•Be a very cost effective approach.
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/fishpassage_conference/2015/June22/69
Comments
Presenting Author Bio: Marine and freshwater ecologist working within the Europe Conservation Programme at Zoological Society of London. I manage a range of research and conservation projects applying innovative applications of new technologies and novel approaches to public engagement. My current programme of work includes a European eel conservation programme involving; assessment of European eel movement and escapement in salt marsh habitat, monitoring elver recruitment in London's rivers, feasibility study of eel translocation and advising sustainable management of eel fisheries.