Mark your calendars, bring your questions, and join us this summer as we unpack the results of the state-funded marine protected areas (MPAs) long-term monitoring projects through an 8-part virtual webinar series!
Researchers from 24 universities, agencies and institutions across California worked closely with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Ocean Protection Council (OPC) to monitor key habitats both inside and outside of MPAs, including kelp forests, rocky reefs, rocky shores, estuaries, and sandy beaches. Additionally, one project provided a socioeconomic evaluation for commercial and commercial passenger fishing vessel (CPFV) fisheries. These monitoring projects were aligned with the Marine Life Protection Act goals and the monitoring framework established in the MPA Monitoring Action Plan. Results from these monitoring projects, along with information from other sources, will inform the first MPA Decadal Management Review report to the California Fish and Game Commission in February 2023. For those looking to dig deeper into MPA monitoring data, including both baseline and long-term monitoring data, please visit the State’s new California MPA Monitoring Data Portal. Snapshot reports outlining key findings from each project are now available in both English and Spanish (links can be found below).
The summer webinar series will provide attendees the unique opportunity to interact directly with researchers involved in long-term MPA monitoring projects. Participants are invited to ask questions directly to the researchers to understand the science informing the management of the MPA Network. The webinar series is hosted by OPC in partnership with CDFW and is supported by Strategic Earth Consulting. Participation by all members of the public is encouraged.
Choose the project you are most interested in or attend them all! Each one-hour webinar is open to the public; no pre-registration is required. You are welcome to join the discussion at the indicated times. Recordings with closed captioning will be made available after the series is completed.
| All webinars can be accessed via this Zoom meeting room at the date and time indicated below. | |
| Date & Time | Long-Term Monitoring Project |
| Tuesday, May 24, 2022
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. |
Kelp Forests Ecosystems |
| Thursday, May 26, 2022
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Rocky Intertidal Habitats |
| Thursday, June 23, 2022
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. |
Ocean Conditions Observing Systems |
| Friday, June 24, 2022
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. |
Sandy Beach and Surf Zone Ecosystems |
| Monday, July 18, 2022
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
California Cooperative Fisheries Research Program |
| Wednesday, July 20, 2022
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
Commercial and CPFV Fisheries |
| Tuesday, August 9, 2022
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. |
Estuary Ecosystems |
| Thursday, August 11, 2022
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. |
Mid-Depth Rocky Habitats |
Additional information about the MPA Decadal Management Review can be found on CDFW’s web page. If you have questions or want to provide feedback, please contact the MPA Management Program.
post by Amanda Van Diggelen, CDFW Environmental Scientist
Marine Management News 