Aquaculture Action Plan
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is an aquaculture action plan?
An Action Plan is a detailed proposal outlining measures needed to reach one or more goals for aquaculture. Plans typically contain a series of recommendations-- ideally based on science, existing policy, and community input-- to inform decision makers on how to advance aquaculture sustainably in a given region (California). It is not a best management practice (BMP) document, a spatial plan, or a horizon scanning document, but can be linked to and recommend paths forward for such actions.
The Aquaculture Action Plan will comprise 1) an overview of the state of aquaculture in California, 2) a series of potential scenarios for aquaculture in the state, and 3) a series of recommendations to achieve the targets in the scenarios, as well as key trade offs therein.
What are Listening Groups?
We have solicited input from a subset of individuals involved in aquaculture, conservation, resource management, and science in the state. These individuals were invited to attend a series of Listening Sessions so that we could freely and easily communicate about issues surrounding aquaculture in a more face-to-face setting multiple times. These Listening Groups do not have decision making power in the process of developing the plan, rather, they are a conduit of information for us to synthesize with other pieces of information we are collecting.
For the purposes of this project we have a Community Listening Group and a Science Listening Group.
How will the community be involved in the process of developing an action plan?
A core objective of this project is to work closely with the community and ensure there are multiple avenues to receive feedback. In Phase 1: Development of the Plan, we plan to engage with a Community Listening Group composed of representatives from user groups that are currently involved with or will be impacted by aquaculture development in California. We will host Listening Sessions with the groups, helping to test our approach and ensure various viewpoints are considered. We will also host a science listening group to assist with assessing the environmental dimensions of various scenarios. These groups do not have any decision making power and are intended to serve as knowledge conduits. We will also host a survey for a broader group of community members that were recommended by the Listening Group members, OPC and the project team. The survey will explore the perception, understanding, and path forward for aquaculture in California.
In Phase 2: Community Engagement, we will welcome comments from community members across California in various meetings and online forums. We will also continue to engage with Listening Groups, and the Aquaculture Leadership team.
Will the Action Plan have a spatial plan component?
Explicit spatial planning is outside the scope of the current project to develop an Action Plan due to time and capacity constraints. We will work to develop a series of recommendations for considering site selection processes and frameworks, synthesizing existing practices. A key recommendation of the Plan will likely be to leverage and integrate existing spatial tools (e.g., NOAA Ocean Portal and California Atlas) for the state to develop a robust marine spatial plan to help manage growing spatial conflicts and protections.
What is the timeline for this project?
The project has three phases:
2021 - Phase 1: Development of the plan
Create a draft Action Plan based on input from the Aquaculture Leadership Team, aquaculture growth scenarios based on synthesis of the latest science, survey outputs and input from a Community Listening Group and a Science Listening Group.
2022 - Phase 2: Community Engagement
Refine the draft Action Plan with public input from regionally held community meetings.
2023 - Phase 3: Refinement
Incorporate recommendations from community meetings and the Aquaculture Leadership Team into a final Action Plan for the state of California.
What will happen after the Action Plan is finished?
The contents of the Aquaculture Action Plan are not mandated by the state, and therefore do not have direct power to change policy or existing codes, but rather will inform policymakers on viable opportunities and paths forward based on the best available science, community input, and standing policy structure.
An Action Plan is a detailed proposal outlining measures needed to reach one or more goals for aquaculture. Plans typically contain a series of recommendations-- ideally based on science, existing policy, and community input-- to inform decision makers on how to advance aquaculture sustainably in a given region (California). It is not a best management practice (BMP) document, a spatial plan, or a horizon scanning document, but can be linked to and recommend paths forward for such actions.
The Aquaculture Action Plan will comprise 1) an overview of the state of aquaculture in California, 2) a series of potential scenarios for aquaculture in the state, and 3) a series of recommendations to achieve the targets in the scenarios, as well as key trade offs therein.
What are Listening Groups?
We have solicited input from a subset of individuals involved in aquaculture, conservation, resource management, and science in the state. These individuals were invited to attend a series of Listening Sessions so that we could freely and easily communicate about issues surrounding aquaculture in a more face-to-face setting multiple times. These Listening Groups do not have decision making power in the process of developing the plan, rather, they are a conduit of information for us to synthesize with other pieces of information we are collecting.
For the purposes of this project we have a Community Listening Group and a Science Listening Group.
How will the community be involved in the process of developing an action plan?
A core objective of this project is to work closely with the community and ensure there are multiple avenues to receive feedback. In Phase 1: Development of the Plan, we plan to engage with a Community Listening Group composed of representatives from user groups that are currently involved with or will be impacted by aquaculture development in California. We will host Listening Sessions with the groups, helping to test our approach and ensure various viewpoints are considered. We will also host a science listening group to assist with assessing the environmental dimensions of various scenarios. These groups do not have any decision making power and are intended to serve as knowledge conduits. We will also host a survey for a broader group of community members that were recommended by the Listening Group members, OPC and the project team. The survey will explore the perception, understanding, and path forward for aquaculture in California.
In Phase 2: Community Engagement, we will welcome comments from community members across California in various meetings and online forums. We will also continue to engage with Listening Groups, and the Aquaculture Leadership team.
Will the Action Plan have a spatial plan component?
Explicit spatial planning is outside the scope of the current project to develop an Action Plan due to time and capacity constraints. We will work to develop a series of recommendations for considering site selection processes and frameworks, synthesizing existing practices. A key recommendation of the Plan will likely be to leverage and integrate existing spatial tools (e.g., NOAA Ocean Portal and California Atlas) for the state to develop a robust marine spatial plan to help manage growing spatial conflicts and protections.
What is the timeline for this project?
The project has three phases:
2021 - Phase 1: Development of the plan
Create a draft Action Plan based on input from the Aquaculture Leadership Team, aquaculture growth scenarios based on synthesis of the latest science, survey outputs and input from a Community Listening Group and a Science Listening Group.
2022 - Phase 2: Community Engagement
Refine the draft Action Plan with public input from regionally held community meetings.
2023 - Phase 3: Refinement
Incorporate recommendations from community meetings and the Aquaculture Leadership Team into a final Action Plan for the state of California.
What will happen after the Action Plan is finished?
The contents of the Aquaculture Action Plan are not mandated by the state, and therefore do not have direct power to change policy or existing codes, but rather will inform policymakers on viable opportunities and paths forward based on the best available science, community input, and standing policy structure.
