Social Science in MPAs
The 2023 Decadal Management Review (DMR) showed that California’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network is delivering ecological benefits while highlighting gaps in understanding how people are interacting with MPAs and the broader social-ecological relationships that exist throughout California’s coast and ocean.
OPC is Recruiting Experts for a Social Science and MPAs Working Group
In partnership with Ocean Science Trust (OST) and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the Ocean Protection Council (OPC) is looking to recruit up to 15 individuals with experience in a range of social science disciplines to advise the first ever Social Science Research and Monitoring component to the Monitoring Action Plan for California’s MPA network. Through virtual and in-person meetings, the working group will be tasked with developing recommendations to elevate social science research efforts and expand the monitoring of human-centered activities with the goal to directly inform an integrated social-ecological monitoring approach for MPAs.
The working group will meet six times (four virtual, two in person) in 2025 and early 2026.
Applications are open until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, April 27, 2025. All working group members will receive honorarium for participation as well as reimbursement for any travel to in-person meetings. Honorarium and reimbursement is managed by OST.
*Form hosted by OST
OPC Investment in MPA Social Science
At the March 2025 meeting, the Ocean Protection Council authorized $1.5 million in funding for social science and community engagement efforts related to MPAs. These projects included:
- $750,000 to the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation for continued research on understanding social dimensions of ocean access and MPAs across California’s coastal counties.
- $500,000 to Resources Legacy Fund for the expansion of MPA Watch program to better understand human uses in MPAs and factors that affect MPA compliance.
- Up to $250,000 to the MPA Collaborative Network for the engagement and empowerment of underrepresented communities in MPA management.
These investments will help expand ongoing work while a more comprehensive Social Science Research and Monitoring Plan is developed.
Resources
- Decadal Evaluation Working Group Report (2021)
- MPA Monitoring Action Plan (2018)
- MPA Decadal Management Review (2023)
- OPC MPA Investments – March 2025
- MPA Watch Annual Reports
Staff Contact
Staci Lewis
Marine Protected Areas
Program Manager
Stacey.Lewis@resources.ca.gov
Conner Smith
Biodiversity
Sea Grant Fellow
Conner.Smith@resources.ca.gov