Aquatic conservation outreach: What works?

Many respondents emphasized the value of using a combination of communication tools—such as videos, brochures, and digital media—alongside direct engagement activities. One participant from a Canadian marine park reported that their most effective results came from pairing educational tools with patrols and hands-on activities at marinas. They used a variety of tools, including animated videos, clear regulatory brochures, a website, and an online training application. In-person engagement complemented these tools through educational rounds in marinas, compliance patrols, and collaborative talks with associations.

Key tools:

• Animated videos: Useful for visually conveying complex conservation messages in an engaging way.
• Brochures and handouts: Effective for quick reference and dissemination during patrols or events.
• Web platforms: These allowed boaters to receive further education remotely, integrating various media, such as videos and quizzes.
• Collaborative engagement: Direct outreach efforts involving local stakeholders, such as fisher associations, also played a critical role.

“The key was engaging any potential water users in conversation promoting provocation (the interpretive kind!). We knew that we couldn’t make it about water users – it had to be about their beloved experiences and how they would be impacted if we don’t work together to limit the spread. So we developed a two piece exhibit (the stand alone piece) that when staffed could be discussed or a program provided with and would be accompanied by a table that would hold several activities including:

• a maze (the adults love this as much as the kids do apparently! – one photo shows the base image underneath and the video shows the top rings and how it works … NB – that was expensive to make and my graphic design ended up putting all the pieces together as we couldn’t find a fabricator who would take it on early in the pandemic),
• two types of origami fish (local common species),
• a printed chalkboard for kids to color in and find the Aquatic invasive species. The kids love it because it is a puzzle.
• four handheld double sided info boards of Aquatic invasive species that includes an actual example set in resin.
• Clean, Drain, Dry giveaways such as floating keyrings, foam can cooler thingys (can’t for the life of me remember the name but no doubt you have a different name for them too!), stickers to put on boats etc.”

An approach that stood out was the use of citizen science to engage fishers in crab monitoring. By inviting crabbers to participate in biological data collection, the program provided a way to educate participants without an overt focus on “teaching” them. This non-confrontational approach was key to motivating behaviour change, as fishers often returned to the program voluntarily and modelled responsible practices for others.

In this program, recreational crabbers were asked to allow volunteers to measure their catches, with undersized or female crabs released on their behalf. Participants learned conservation practices by taking part in the data collection, with many returning regularly to support the program. This hands-on engagement not only built a sense of stewardship among the fishers but also created a ripple effect, with participants often teaching newcomers about proper crabbing techniques.

Direct engagement was a common theme, with many contributors mentioning the importance of personal conversations in reaching boaters. A key takeaway was the recommendation to open dialogues based on shared interests or personal experiences. For example, Strait Watch in the Salish Sea uses opening questions like, “Have you ever seen whales?” to begin conversations with boaters, followed by gentle guidance on best practices for navigating whale habitats.

Strait Watch combines in-person conversations with printed materials and public presence at boat shows and marinas. By engaging boaters on their interests first, they ease into discussions about responsible whale-watching practices. Their tactics include distributing brochures with whale-watching guidelines and performing “dock talks” to increase boater awareness.

The final theme that emerged was the role of enforcement agencies and partnerships in reinforcing conservation messages. For example, several respondents mentioned how park rangers, fisheries officers, and marine wardens collaborated to ensure compliance with regulations while also educating boaters on best practices.

In this example, Parks Canada collaborated with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada to protect the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. Teams performed direct outreach at boat shows and marinas, providing printed information and answering questions. The campaign’s success was rooted in its focus on building partnerships across different agencies, ensuring that all stakeholders were aligned with the same conservation message.