Evaluation of and Motivations for Conservation Science in Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary

National marine sanctuaries are located across the country, offering opportunities for a diverse group of scientists from government entities, academic institutions, non-profit organizations and citizen scientists to work collectively to enhance the understanding of natural and cultural resources. Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS) is located off the coast of Georgia, USA, and is home to one of the largest nearshore, live-bottom reefs of the southeastern USA. This report focuses on evaluating the activities associated with, objectives of, and motivations for the conservation science that has been conducted within GRNMS. These topics were assessed using a survey sent to 60 individuals who had conducted science in and around the sanctuary in the past. A total of 23 surveys were completed and returned, for a 41.1% response rate, with respondents providing information on the scientific activities conducted in and around GRNMS, reasons for site selection, information on sanctuary staff and support, spending, and in-kind staff support. The results illustrate a highly diverse research space in GRNMS, which includes a suite of focal points and technical capacity among collaborators from multiple institutions, states, and countries. Additionally, GRNMS was chosen as a study location by many respondents primarily engaged in research, monitoring, and/or characterization. Understanding the socioeconomic implications of the conservation science conducted at GRNMS is necessary not only to gauge the conservation outcomes of scientific investments, but also its benefits to local and regional economies, now and in the future.

Key Words

Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, research, monitoring, characterization, conservation science, motivation, value, economics