Lessons from bright-spots for advancing knowledge exchange at the interface of marine science and policy.

Evidence-informed decision-making is in increasing demand given growing pressures on marine environments. A way to facilitate this is by knowledge exchange among marine scientists and decision-makers. While many barriers are reported in the literature, there are also examples whereby research has successfully informed marine decision-making (i.e., 'bright-spots'). Here, we identify and analyze 25 bright-spots from a wide range of marine fields, contexts, and locations to provide insights into how to improve knowledge exchange at the interface of marine science and policy. Through qualitative surveys we investigate what initiated the bright-spots, their goals, and approaches to knowledge exchange. We also seek to identify what outcomes/impacts have been achieved, the enablers of success, and what lessons can be learnt to guide future knowledge exchange efforts. Results show that a diversity of approaches were used for knowledge exchange, from consultative engagement to genuine knowledge co-production. We show that diverse successes at the interface of marine science and policy are achievable and include impacts on policy, people, and governance. Such successes were enabled by factors related to the actors, processes, support, context, and timing. For example, the importance of involving diverse actors and managing positive relationships is a key lesson for success. However, enabling routine success will require: 1) transforming the ways in which we train scientists to include a greater focus on interpersonal skills, 2) institutionalizing and supporting knowledge exchange activities in organizational agendas, 3) conceptualizing and implementing broader research impact metrics, and 4) transforming funding mechanisms to focus on need-based interventions, impact planning, and an acknowledgement of the required time and effort that underpin knowledge exchange activities.

Recreational snorkeling activities to enhance seascape enjoyment and environmental education in the Islas Atlánticas de Galicia National Park (Spain).

Marine ecosystems provide goods and services for human well-being, and many of them correspond to cultural ecosystem services (CES). In Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), recreational activities such as snorkeling have increased recently, taking advantage of CES. However, there is a lack of educational initiatives in temperate areas to promote seascape enjoyment and pro-environmental behavior among these users, in contrast with other coastal areas such as subtropical and Caribbean ones. In this study, we have designed and implemented several snorkeling trails in Cíes Archipelago to address a better usage of CES, in a National Park (NP) context. To assess the seascape in Cíes from the point of view of the marine and sea-watching activities that take place in the NP, a new methodology was designed and implemented, including a pilot experience with snorkelers. This methodology assesses underwater aesthetic values from a multifaceted approach and allows the identification of trail-specific features that should be highlighted for increasing conservation awareness among users through environmental education and interpretation. Also, include the analysis of the users' perception and experience satisfaction, as the factors that may be influencing their pro-environmental behaviors and knowledge. Our results show that snorkeling is a good activity to learn about the seascape values, and the NP could offer it as a guided activity considering some pre and post snorkeling experience requirements.