The use of citizen-volunteer groups for marine environmental monitoring and surveillance

The organization and operation of a citizen-volunteer group devoted to the protection of the marine environment is described. The use of privately owned boats and planes to supplement personnel of government agencies charged with enforcement of environmental legislation and to assist academic and scientific institutions demonstrates that this previously untapped resource can develop remote sensing techniques, conduct research, offer logistic support, serve as ground truth for a variety of missions, conduct water monitoring, and assist in the detection of illegal dredging, filling and waste discharges.