WILDLIFE RESEARCH
Utilizing scientific efforts to conserve wildlife.
PC: John Harrington - 1Z Media
CITIZEN SCIENCE: FINFINDER
FinFinder: our new citizen science program that anglers, divers, and ocean enthusiasts can participate in to record their shark sightings. Documenting California shark species can help us understand population trends over time, find critical habitats (i.e. nursing grounds or feeding grounds), and migrational patterns. It can even assess shark-human interactions to better inform conservation efforts and public safety.
MAKO AND BLUE SHARK RESEARCH
Our main goal for our shark research is to have our findings aid in the conservation of our local mako and blue shark species. With our innovative tagging operations, we hope to discover something previously not known about our Pacific Short-Fin Mako species.
Check out our citizen science protocol: FinFinder, and see how you can contribute your shark sightings for shark conservation.
GIANT KELP RESTORATION
This project is aimed as a long term case study to monitor kelp beds and objectively visualize the impacts of efforts to remove purple sea urchin barrens to better preserve our kelp. Giant Kelp is responsible for the proliferation of many species as it provides them with shelter and food.
*All Project Kolika volunteers and team members participating in urchin removals have the required fishing licenses.
ABALONE CONSERVATION
This citizen science initiative is a collaboration between Project Kolika and Dr. David Witting, Sr. Fish Biologist at the NOAA Restoration Center and lead researcher on this abalone conservation project; William Hagey; and Oriana Poindexter of Pelagic Projects. By conducting surveys of our local rocky reefs for species of abalone, we aid Dr. Witting and his team in assessing San Diego's abalone population and their condition.
PINNIPED MONITORING PROGRAM
Project Kolika conducted bi-monthly behavioral analysis between the years of 2020-2021 on pinniped populations in San Diego, CA. We hope to better inform the City of San Diego when it comes to decision making in regards to the well-fare of our local pinniped colonies and people, alike.
WILDLIFE EDUCATION
Educational outreach for our future.
EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAM
Focusing on shark safety and shark ecology, we hope to better educate the public and steer them away from falsified and fear-mongering media. With education, people can make better informed decisions when it comes to ocean conservation. From school groups to junior lifeguards, we love inspiring the next generation of do-ers and go-getters.
Now offering our new Outreach Lab program, where we come to you! Teachers, click below!
PAST EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH EVENTS
Here you'll find some photos of our past educational outreach events, from our Halloween event, Kriller Night, to Ocean Air Park's Snow Day.
INFOGRAPHS ON MARINE ORGANISMS AND MARINE BIOLOGY CONCEPTS
Free, educational graphics to download! Want to donate a small amount to keep our efforts in conservation going?