Lack of communication leads to misunderstandings, duplication of efforts, and sometimes conflicting outcomes. Improved information technology is enabling greater communication, collaboration and education. Political boundaries include not only local government jurisdictions along the coast, but also the many jurisdictions offshore such as State Tidelands, the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone, and the high seas. The variety of jurisdictional, ownership, or user interests along and offshore the coast emphasizes the need for maintaining good communication among all parties. A prevalent theme was the need to create and, more importantly, sustain cooperative partnerships between and among government agencies, universities, conservation groups, and private interests, especially at the local level.
Collaborative approaches allow organizations to do more with less.
However, collaboration is often impeded by institutional constraints, where an organization's design, policies or mission and goals conflict with those of potential partners. Organizations and their representatives must be willing and able to adapt to different circumstances and partners. Participants also identified the need for collaborative permitting and funding. Management and protection measures vary widely from one classification to another. With little information easily accessible to the public and even managers themselves, it is uncertain that California's marine managed areas are achieving the goals intended.