OPC, CDFW, and California Sea Grant Request for Proposals: Monitoring MPA Mid-Depth Rocky Reef Habitats

Established in 2012, California’s network of 124 Marine Protected Areas (MPA) spans 1,110 miles of California coastline from Mexico to the Oregon border and protects 16% of state waters from estuaries to deep sea canyons, 9% are in no-take state marine reserves. A key recommendation from the 2022 ten-year review assessment of the MPA network was to identify robust and durable monitoring approaches for mid-depth rocky reef habitats (30-100m). To begin addressing this recommendation, a Technical Expert Panel (TEP) developed key findings and recommendations for collecting and analyzing critical biological and ecological data in these habitats.

Building from the TEP’s final report released October 2024, the California Ocean Protection Council, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and California Sea Grant are now seeking applications for projects that will advance monitoring priorities for California’s MPA mid-depth habitats during 2025 and 2026 sampling seasons and/or will evaluate sampling designs and approaches for long-term monitoring in this habitat.

Proposals should address one or both components:

Component 1: Implementing mid-depth rocky reef monitoring programs in 2025 and 2026; and/or

Component 2: Investigating and refining sampling design and approaches to mid-depth rocky reef monitoring

There is a total of $1,500,000 available for both components to fund projects up to 2 years. See the Request for Proposals (RFP) for details of this funding opportunity.

Apply Here

Notices of Intent are due by November 13, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. PT and must be submitted via email to sgproposal@ucsd.edu. Notices of Intent will not be evaluated but will provide information to prepare for proposal review. Full proposals are due December 16, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Only applicants who submitted a Notice of Intent may submit a full proposal.

Important Dates

California Sea Grant Office Hours (Optional):
- October 30, 2024 – 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- November 8, 2024 – 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Notice of Intent due: November 13, 2024 – 5:00 p.m.
Proposal Assistance Webinar (Optional): November 18, 2024 – 10:00 a.m.
Full Proposal due: December 16, 2024 – 5:00 p.m.