Outreach and Education Advisory Panel (OEAP) Report to the Council 152 nd CFMC Regular Meeting April 21-22, 2015 St.Croix, USVI

Importance of O & E National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Education Strategic Plan : Advancing NOAA’s Mission through Education ( Draft for public comments March 2015) NOAA’s Education Mission (pp. 4) …Education plays a significant role in supporting NOAA’s mission. In order for society to become more resilient, individuals must have the ability to understand scientific processes, consider uncertainty, and reason about the ways that human and natural systems interact. Therefore, it is not enough for NOAA to research Earth systems; NOAA must also deliver this information into the hands of individuals who, in turn, understand the science and know how to respond accordingly. 7/14/14Alida Ortiz, OEAP Chairperson3

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act – 1976, 2006 is one of the statutes that sustain NOAA’s Education Strategy. SERO Strategic Goals include: Goal 4 aims to promote public stewardship of NOAA trust resources and increase capacity to achieve organizational priorities. 7/14/14Alida Ortiz, OEAP Chairperson4

7/14/14Alida Ortiz, OEAP Chairperson5 PEPCO, MREP/Caribbean Initiative, Don’t Stop Talking Fish, St. Croix Fishing Heritage, Fishers participation in Scoping Meetings, Calendars, Fact Sheets to clarify scientific and management concepts. CFMC’s O & E Experiencies

7/14/14Alida Ortiz, OEAP Chairperson6 Results of O & E Efforts Evidence increase in participation and interest in learning more about the science underlying fisheries management decissions. Fishers are participating in field research and initiatives for new and innovation of traditional gear. Presentations to college students promotes interest in fisheries biology, economics and managemnet.

MREP-SE-Caribbean Initiative Outreach Great success!! – 35 participants – Fishers as moderators – Scientists as communicators “Pienso que es el comienzo para uno como pescador de por años. Nunca había participado de taller que me ayudara en conocer más sobre leyes, estadísticas, sobre la pesca” 7/14/14Alida Ortiz, OEAP Chairperson7

MREP-SE-Caribbean Initiative Outreach “El taller fue muy bien coordinado. Carlos y Roberto estaban bien preparados y Helena hizo un trabajo excelente por ser la primera actividad de MREP” “The amount of work that it takes to accomplish the work necessary”.

Fondos provistos por el Negociado de Pesca y Vida Silvestre del DRNA, el CFMC y The Nature Conservancy (TNC). In general, excellent evaluations from participants and resources. 7/14/14Alida Ortiz, OEAP Chairperson9 PEPCO (Programa de Educación de Pesca Comercial

“La participación de los pescadores sobrepasó las expectativas, los cuales eran entre pescadores por curso para un total. Pero logramos contar con un total de 292 participantes con 225 participantes certificados por haber completado el curso”. Helena Antoun PEPCO Coordinator 7/14/14Alida Ortiz, OEAP Chairperson10 PEPCO (Programa de Educación de Pesca Comercial

Outreach & Education Priorities for Conduct 2 MREP training sessions in USVI and PR (Eastern coast)… 30K each Initiate campaign for Sustainable Seafood Campaign partnering with TNC and UPRSG…20K Calendars…10K Caribbean Fisheries Resource Book for Teachers …15K

Outreach & Education Priorities for Produce Fact Sheets/Infographic on: – New lobster traps – Octopus life cycle – Forage fish – Handling Fresh Tuna fish – Essential Fish Habitats – Fishing calendars and regulations 5K Small posters for restaurants, marinas, fishers associations, cleaning stations and fish markets 3K

7/14/14Alida Ortiz, OEAP Chairperson13 QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?