Designing A Protocol For The Identification And Reporting Of Stranded Marine Fish, Cephalopods, And Reptiles, Using The Oregon Coast As A Proof Of Concept

It is not unusual to see stranded marine animals and birds along coastlines.  Various networks nationwide exist to report marine mammals and birds, yet we have been unable to find networks to report other stranded marine animals, namely fish, cephalopods, and reptiles.   When these animals are encountered along the Oregon coast, calls are placed to many different organizations, and the specifics of the information provided are generally unreliable.  We are designing and evaluating a protocol that enables “citizen scientists” to identify the stranded marine reptiles, fish, and cephalopods they find, know what information to record, and where to report it, using the Oregon Coast as a proof-of-concept of the efficacy of the protocol.  The protocol is being designed in both English and Spanish, and as both a downloadable document and Smartphone application.  We are testing the protocol’s validity using a modified Delphi approach with two separate groups, whose primary language is either English or Spanish.  We will perform a summative evaluation by testing the completed protocol among tourists and beachgoers, to determine its effectiveness with regular users.  A database will also be created for past and future data, which can be used to compare reported sightings to different variables, allowing for the creation of predictive models of animal strandings.  If the protocol is effective, it could also be applied to other geographical regions, and potentially create a nationwide network.