Ocean Protection Council Meeting – April 24, 2023 – Teleconference and Public Forum

The Ocean Protection Council will hold a hybrid public meeting via teleconference and in a public forum at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 24, 2023.

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OPC is Hiring Two 30×30 Staff Scientists – Apply by March 22, 2023

The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) is hiring two limited term Environmental Scientists (30×30 Staff Scientists) to help advance California’s goal to conserve 30% of coastal waters by 2030 (the “30×30” initiative) and broader strategic priorities related to enhancing coastal and marine biodiversity. The Environmental Scientists will be responsible for supporting tribal consultations and stakeholder convenings; identifying science-based strategies to strengthen biodiversity conservation in California’s coastal waters (including research gaps that warrant near-term investment); and coordinating with state and federal partner agencies. The Environmental Scientists will also be responsible for grant and contract management, including developing scopes of work and budgets, tracking deliverables, and coordinating with grantees. The Environmental Scientists will provide additional support and capacity for implementation of broader OPC and California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) priorities related to biodiversity conservation, such as habitat protection and restoration, and support embedding equity and environmental justice into programs and actions.

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OPC and California Sea Grant Microplastic Research Program Request for Proposals

The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) and California Sea Grant are seeking applications for two separate research calls to advance microplastics understanding and management in California, consistent with the priorities outlined in the California Ocean Litter Strategy and Statewide Microplastics Strategy. Proposals should address either:

Research Call 1: Improved understanding of aquatic microplastic contamination sources and ecological sensitivity, or

Research Call 2: Microplastic removal efficacy of low impact development (LID): Structural best management practices.

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Visit Our New 30×30 Webpage and Register for an Upcoming Discussion

What is 30×30?

Plus, register online for our next virtual workshop! 

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The MPA Network Decadal Management Review Forum – March 15, 2023

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced the first Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network Decadal Management Review (Review) report is now available!

The Review provides a synthesis of the last decade of management activities in the four pillars of the MPA Management Program and the effectiveness of the MPA Network at meeting the goals of the Marine Life Protection Act. The Review is informed by many sources of information, including an integrative analysis of statewide MPA monitoring data, shared perspectives and priorities from California Native American Tribes, information from MPA management partners, MPA enforcement data, scientific collecting permit data, and input from the broader ocean community.

Read the NEW Review summary, Decade of Ocean Conservation: Key Findings from the First Review of California’s Marine Protected Area Network.

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OPC is Hiring a Senior Biodiversity Program Manager – Apply by April 6, 2023

We are hiring a Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) to lead its Biodiversity Program and advance work related to marine protected areas, kelp forest resilience, marine biodiversity conservation, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, and the state’s 30×30 initiative for coastal waters. The Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) will advance these strategic priorities (and others, as needed) as outlined in the Strategic Plan to Protect California’s Coast and Ocean, in coordination with OPC staff, state and federal agencies, California Native American tribes, local governments, scientists, non-profits, community members and others. The Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) will also supervise several Environmental Scientists, serve as OPC’s Tribal Liaison, and contribute to higher-level strategic planning led by OPC leadership. The incumbent is also responsible for grant and contract management including developing scopes of work and budgets, tracking deliverables, and coordinating with grantees.

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Virtual Webinar “A Decade of Ocean Conservation – An Update on California’s Marine Protected Areas”

California Natural Resources Secretary Speaker Series

UPDATE: The recording is now available:

February 14, 2023 at 1:00 PM via Zoom

California’s 124 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) span our state’s entire coastline to conserve tidepools, sandy beaches, submarine canyons, estuaries, and kelp forests, and to protect all life that depends on these unique places. Established 10 years ago through a science-based and community-driven process, California’s MPA Network is now among the largest, most sophisticated marine conservation efforts anywhere in the world. State agencies have recently released a comprehensive assessment of how the MPA Network performed over its first decade, revealing where MPAs are making a difference and scientific questions that remain.

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OPC is Hiring a Biodiversity Program Manager – Apply by February 21, 2023

OPC is hiring an Environmental Scientist to help lead its efforts to enhance coastal, marine, and estuarine biodiversity in California.  The Environmental Scientist will advance these strategic priorities, as outlined in the Strategic Plan to Protect California’s Coast and Ocean, in coordination with OPC staff, state and federal agencies, California Native American tribes, local governments, scientists, non-profits, community members, and others. The Environmental Scientist will also be responsible for grant and contract management including developing scopes of work and budgets, tracking deliverables, and coordinating with grantees. The Environmental Scientist will also provide additional support and capacity for OPC’s other strategic priorities, as needed. … read more

Updates from the January 24, 2023 Council Meeting

The January 24 Ocean Protection Council (OPC) meeting finalized significant efforts from 2022 and set the framework for continued progress toward protecting California’s coast and ocean in 2023.

OPC staff presented the Annual Coast and Ocean Report highlighting both preliminary indicators for ocean health and a retrospective of OPC accomplishments towards achieving 2020-2025 Strategic Plan goals in 2022. Action items on the agenda supporting OPC’s 2023 efforts towards meeting Strategic Plan goals were all passed unanimously by the Council, including:

Ocean Protection Council Meeting – January 24, 2023 – Teleconference and Public Forum

The Ocean Protection Council will hold a hybrid public meeting via teleconference and in a public forum at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24, 2023.

The webcast recording is now available on YouTube.

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