marine mammal health and stranding response program evaluation key findings john h. prescott marine...

Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program EvaluationResponse Program Evaluation

Key FindingsKey Findings

John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Grant Assistance Program WorkshopJohn H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Grant Assistance Program Workshop

Responsive ManagementResponsive Management

Thursday, December 10, 2009Thursday, December 10, 2009Photo: NOAA

www.responsivemanagement.com

Responsive Management

Methodology External Survey of Stakeholders (n = 124) Survey instrument developed based on 20 in-depth personal interviews

with Network participants Multi-modal Survey

• Electronic form

• Mail

• Telephone

Four Regions

• Northeast Region

• Southeast Region

• Southwest Region

• Northwest Region

Data Analysis and Final Report

• Major findings

• Recommendations

KEY FINDINGS



Key Topic Areas

1. Participant Training and Educational Backgrounds

2. Funding

3. Event Preparedness

4. Communication

5. NMFS Publicity and Outreach

6. Network Improvement

1. Participant Training and Educational Backgrounds



Participant Training and Educational Backgrounds

Not all participants have the same educational backgrounds and levels of training.

• The discrepancies in training and education are commonly viewed as problematic.


Do you agree or disagree that gaps or discrepancies exist in the training and educational backgrounds of some regional

Network participants?

10

2

6

11

37

35

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree

Neither agree nordisagree

Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent (n=124)

72% agree

5

79

12

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Very problematic

Somewhatproblematic

Not at allproblematic

Don't know

Percent (n=91)

Do you consider gaps and discrepancies in the training and educational backgrounds of some regional Network participants to be problematic to the

overall effectiveness of the Marine Mammal Stranding Network? (Asked of those who agree that gaps or discrepancies exist in the training and educational

backgrounds of some regional Network participants.)



2. Funding


Funding

Funding for Stranding Network organizations is a problem.

• More Network participants disagree (52%) than agree (39%) that their organization is adequately funded to fulfill duties.

• Of those who participate in post-release monitoring, a majority disagree (63%) that their organization is adequately funded for this.

• Similarly, “funding” is by far the top answer among resources needed by organizations to improve their effectiveness.


Do you agree or disagree that your organization is currently being funded at a level adequate to fulfill the duties of a

Stranding Network participating organization?

14

25

7

22

30

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree

Neither agree nordisagree

Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent (n=125)

52% disagree

Do you agree or disagree that your organization has adequate funding with which to conduct post-release monitoring of

marine mammals? (Asked of those whose organization participates in post-release monitoring of marine mammals.)

4

20

8

39

24

4

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Moderately disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent (n=49)


63% disagree

What resources do you need in order to improve the effectiveness of your organization?

6

4

82

51

43

28

14

5

0 20 40 60 80 100

Funding

Staff

Training

Packing / shipping materials for carcasses,tissues, etc.

Regulations / guidelines

Better facilities

Better communications / better access to data

Other

Mu

ltip

le R

es

po

nse

s A

llo

wed

Percent (n=123)



3. Event Preparedness


Event Preparedness

Substantial percentages of Network participants feel their organizations are not at all prepared for the following events:

• an oil spill (38%)

• a disentanglement event (20%)


Percent whose organization is not prepared at all regarding response to each of the following events.

8

14

15

20

38

0 20 40 60 80 100

An oil spill

A disentanglement event (such aslarge cetacean or pinniped)

A mass stranding

A large whale stranding

An Unusual Mortality event

Percent


Event Preparedness

Feelings of being unprepared are most commonly due to the following:

• inexperience

• lack of training for the event

• unfamiliarity with proper protocols and procedures for the event

• lack of available funding and staff


Why do you think your organization is unprepared regarding response to an oil spill? (Asked of those who think their

organization is unprepared for the event.)

2

77

73

63

58

54

8

0 20 40 60 80 100

Limited experience in responding to this typeof event

Training

Knowledge of proper guidelines, protocols,and procedures

Funding

Staff

Facilities / equipment

Other

Mu

ltip

le R

es

po

nse

s A

llo

wed

Percent (n=48)


Why do you think your organization is unprepared regarding response to a disentanglement event (such as large cetacean or pinniped)? (Asked of those who think their organization is

unprepared for the event.)

79

71

67

54

38

4

0 20 40 60 80 100

Limited experience in responding to thistype of event

Training

Knowledge of proper guidelines, protocols,and procedures

Staff

Funding

No answer

Mu

ltip

le R

es

po

nse

s A

llo

wed

Percent (n=24)


4. Communication


Communication

There may be opportunities to:

• better educate Stranding Network participants on the role of the national Stranding Coordinator

• improve Network communication in several areas


What is your perception of the role of the national Stranding Coordinator?

27

22

6

19

16

14

13

12

8

0 20 40 60 80 100

Set priorities / determine direction / set policies

Oversee / coordinate with the Regional Coordinator

Provide overall support / guidance for Network / overseeNetwork

Coordinate all regions / provide overall coordination

Disseminate information and training

Maintain consistency in data collection

Determine funding opportunities / assist with funding

Other

Don't know / unsure / role is unclear

Mu

ltip

le R

es

po

nse

s A

llo

wed

Percent (n=104)


Communication

Substantial percentages of Network participants describe the following types of Network communication as fair or poor:

• communication between regions (50%)

• communication with the NMFS after responses to strandings (25%)

• communication with other Network participant organizations in region (24%)

• overall communication with the NMFS (22%)

• regional efforts to keep Network participants informed of the latest trends, developments, and information (49%)


Percent who would describe communication between the following organizations and their organization as fair or poor.

17

22

24

24

25

50

16

0 20 40 60 80 100

Between your region and other regions throughout thenational Marine Mammal Stranding Network

The National Marine Fisheries Service after responses tostrandings

National Marine Fisheries Service area representatives(Asked of Southeast Region participants.)

Other Network participant organizations in their region

Overall, the National Marine Fisheries Service

The state coordinator (Asked of Southeast Regionparticipants.)

The National Marine Fisheries Service during responsesto strandings

Percent


How would you describe the regional Network's efforts to keep Network participants informed of the latest trends,

developments, and information regarding the operations of the Network?

5

39

26

23

8

0 20 40 60 80 100

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Don't know

Percent (n=124)

49%

44%


5. NMFS Publicity and Outreach


NMFS Publicity and Outreach

Substantial percentages of Stranding Network participants indicate that the NMFS could improve efforts to:

• provide feedback to the public regarding strandings and other Network information

• assist participant organizations with media and publicity

A majority of participants also agree that the NMFS should work more closely with neighboring nations.


How would you rate the National Marine Fisheries Service's efforts to provide feedback to the public regarding strandings

and other Network information?

7

35

25

18

15

0 20 40 60 80 100

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Don't know

Percent (n=123)

43%


How would you rate the efforts of the National Marine Fisheries Service to assist your organization with media and

publicity (such as during major stranding events)?

10

32

22

17

20

0 20 40 60 80 100

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Don't know

Percent (n=125)

39%


Do you agree or disagree that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration should be working more closely

with neighboring nations to provide training, enhanced communication or collaboration with other countries?

36

25

24

2

2

10

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Moderately disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent (n=125)

61% agree


6. Network Improvement


Network Improvement

Although organizations’ greatest needs are for additional funding and training, there is also a desire for greater coordination and collaboration throughout the Stranding Network.

Excluding funding, top ways Network participants can enhance the capacity to produce scientific information are:

• communication / coordination / collaboration

• additional training

• standardization of data collection / archiving


Excluding funding, how can Network participants enhance the capacity to produce more scientific information?

49

22

22

5

4

4

0 20 40 60 80 100

Better communications / coordination /collaboration

Additional training

Standardization of collection / archiving

Regulatory change / change of priorities

Better outreach

Use partnerships

Mu

ltip

le R

es

po

nse

s A

llo

wed

Percent (n=106)


Network Improvement

Most commonly needed additional resources are:

• funding

• training

• equipment

• better communication / cooperation

• staff


Including financial resources, what additional resources are needed in your region to improve the efficiency of the Marine

Mammal Stranding Network?

23

7

41

25

19

16

15

11

0 20 40 60 80 100

Funding

Training

Equipment (including vehicles)

Improved communication / cooperation (e.g., betweenorgs, between NMFS and regions/orgs)

Staff

Improved / enhanced facilities / labs

Improved / more consistent / more thorough datacollection

Other

Mu

ltip

le R

es

po

nse

s A

llo

wed

Percent (n=111)


Excluding financial resources, what additional resources are needed in your region to improve the efficiency of the Marine

Mammal Stranding Network?

26

22

13

11

43

0 20 40 60 80 100

Improved communication / cooperation (e.g.,between orgs, between NMFS and regions/orgs)

Training

Staff

Equipment (including vehicles)

Other

Mu

ltip

le R

es

po

nse

s A

llo

wed

Percent (n=89)


Network Improvement

Network participants think the following should be priorities in their region:

• improved data collection

• additional / better funding sources

• improved communication / coordination / cooperation

What should the priorities be for the Marine Mammal Stranding Network in your region over the course of the next 5

years?

25

10

27

22

21

17

15

12

0 20 40 60 80 100

Improve data collection methods / consistency ofdata collection

Secure better funding / find additonal funding

Improve regional / overall Network cooperation /coordination / communication

Improve education / outreach

Improve stranding event response rates

Update / enhance facilities and labs

Improve necropsy process / conduct morethorough necropsies

Other / don't know

Mu

ltip

le R

es

po

nse

s A

llo

wed

Percent (n=101)



Photo: PBS


PRESCOTT GRANT


Prescott Grant

The Prescott Grant is one of the top sources of funding for Stranding Network organizations.

• Half of all organizations surveyed (50%) currently receive at least some funding through the Prescott Grant.

• More than a quarter (27%) identify the Prescott Grant as their organization’s primary source of funding.

How is your organization currently funded?

4

4

6

55

50

38

21

18

10

3

9

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Private donations / private funding

Prescott Grant

Grants, excluding Prescott Grant

Merchandise sales

Registration / membership fees

No funding / all volunteer

State government funding

Federal funding

Local government

Endowed chair(s)

Other

Don't know

Mu

ltip

le R

es

po

nse

s A

llo

wed

Percent (n=126)


What is your organization's primary source of funding?

9

1

3

29

27

11

6

6

4

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Private donations / private funding

Prescott Grant

Grants, excluding Prescott Grant

No funding / all volunteer

State government funding

Local government

Federal funding

Registration / membership fees

Other

Don't know

Percent (n=124)



Prescott Grant

A substantial percentage of Network participants whose organizations are funded through the Prescott Grant (31%) say they are dissatisfied with the funding opportunities made available through the Prescott Grant.

How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the funding opportunities made available through the Prescott Grant?

(Asked of Prescott Grant recipients.)

17

40

2

29

2

11

0 20 40 60 80 100

Very satisfied

Somewhatsatisfied

Neither satisfiednor dissatisfied

Somewhatdissatisfied

Very dissatisfied

Don't know

Percent (n=63)


31% dissatisfied


Prescott Grant

Common reasons for dissatisfaction with the Prescott Grant are:

• the grant does not provide enough funds to cover organizational needs

• funds do not arrive on time or are awarded late

• the Prescott Grant is influenced by politics / favoritism

Why are you dissatisfied with the funding opportunities made available through the Prescott Grant? (Asked of Prescott

Grant recipients who are dissatisfied with the funding opportunities available.)

3

6

30

20

17

14

11

11

0 20 40 60 80 100

Not enough funds to cover organization needs

Funds do not arrive in time / are awarded late

Prescott award process is influenced too much bypolitics / favoritism

Prescott priorities fail to encompass scope of work

Prescott award process is influenced by region(s) /favors certain regions

Prescott review process is unfair / inadequate

Other

Don't know

Mu

ltip

le R

es

po

nse

s A

llo

wed

Percent (n=64)



Prescott Grant

A substantial percentage of Network participants whose organizations are funded through the Prescott Grant (29%) say they are dissatisfied with the Prescott Grant’s application process.

How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the application process for the Prescott Grant?

(Asked of Prescott Grant recipients.)

11

30

16

27

2

14

0 20 40 60 80 100

Very satisfied

Somewhatsatisfied

Neither satisfiednor dissatisfied

Somewhatdissatisfied

Very dissatisfied

Don't know

Percent (n=63)


29% dissatisfied


Prescott Grant

Common reasons for dissatisfaction with the Prescott Grant application process are:

• requires too much information

• depends too much on politics / favoritism

• contributes to disproportionate spreading of funds throughout the Network

Why are you dissatisfied with the application process for the Prescott Grant? (Asked of Prescott Grant recipients who are

dissatisfied with the application process.)

3

6

8

10

14

14

19

6

3

6

0 20 40 60 80 100

App / award process requires too much info

App / award process based on politics / favoritism

App / award process favors certain regions /disproportionate spreading of funds in Network

Guidelines are redundant and/or cumbersome

Grant requirements / guidelines are unclear

App / award process timeline is too short

Prescott program priorities do not conform toexpressed intent of original legislation

Wrong time of year

Other

Don't know

Mu

ltip

le R

es

po

nse

s A

llo

wed

Percent (n=63)



Photo: NOAA

marine mammal health and stranding response program evaluation key findings john h. prescott marine...

Documents

communication slide

funding slide

noaa slide

network improvement

event preparedness slide

stranding network participants

overall communication

participant training