Request for Proposals: Two Communications Plans for California’s Marine Protected Area Management Program

The Ocean Protection Council is seeking proposals for two projects to develop (1) a communications plan for California’s Marine Protected Area Management Program and (2) a communications plan for California’s 2022 Marine Protected Area network management review.

These communications plans will be developed over the next two years leading up to the management review in December 2022 and through early 2023 to communicate the results of the review, along with the recommendations and next steps for ongoing adaptive management of California’s Marine Protected Areas. The Contractors will be required to work in close collaboration with OPC, DFW and FGC staff in the development and deployment of both of these communications plans throughout the duration of the contracts.

Communications plan for California’s Marine Protected Area Management Program

The contractor will work with the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and the California Fish & Game Commission (FGC) to develop a comprehensive Communications Plan (the Plan) for the State of California to raise awareness of and create brand identity for California’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) Management Program. The Plan will consist of a communications strategy, a work plan for implementing the strategy, digital and physical products and tools to implement the strategy, and a transfer of knowledge about the tools produced to OPC, CDFW, and FGC staff who will facilitate the continuation of the Plan.

For more information about the communications plan for California’s Marine Protected Area Management Program follow this link: https://www.caleprocure.ca.gov/event/0540/0000016932

Communications plan for 2022 Marine Protected Area network management review

The contractor will work with the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and the California Fish & Game Commission (FGC) to develop an Outreach Strategy (the Strategy) to manage expectations and share information ahead of the first decadal management review of California’s marine protected area (MPA) network and  Management Program occurring in December 2022. The target audience includes tribal, federal, state, and local governments as well as California ocean stakeholders. The Strategy will also summarize the process and lessons learned after the 2022 decadal management review to serve as an example for other MPA managers and constituents and disseminate the information through national and international platforms.

For more information about the communications plan for California’s 2022 Marine Protected Area network management review follow this link: https://www.caleprocure.ca.gov/event/0540/0000016933

California Sea Grant Research Funding for New Faculty

California Sea Grant is now soliciting applications for one-year research projects by early-career faculty. Proposals, up to $60,000, will support the research of a new faculty member employed at a California-based university to address topics aligned with California Sea Grant’s strategic plan and state priorities.

In order to help align faculty research proposals with state needs, this solicitation includes information from the Resources Agency Sea Grant Advisory Panel (RASGAP) identifying state research priorities within the context of Ocean Protection Council’s 2020-2025 Strategic Plan to Protect California’s Coast and Ocean.  Input from RASGAP helps advance science that supports coastal and ocean management and policy decisions in California.

This year, additional emphasis will be on proposals that respond and target objectives specific to California Sea Grant’s Resilient Coastal Communities and Economies and Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture focus areas. Please read the full Request for Proposals for details and application instructions.

Deadlines:

Letters of Intent: May 18, 2020 – 5 PM PT

Full Proposals: June 15, 2020 – 5 PM PT