Outreach and Education Advisory Panel (OEAP) Report to the Council 151 th CFMC Regular Meeting December 9-10, 2014 St. Thomas, USVI

Council’s Brochure and the 2015 Calendar are ready for printing. O & E Activities Update

7/14/14Alida Ortiz, OEAP Chairperson3 O & E Activities Update 1.Presentation to UPR-Humacao Marine biology students from Council member, Marcos Hanke and Council Scientist, Graciela García-Moliner to promote field research in the eastern coast of PR. 2.Dr. García-Moliner addressed the importance of EFH in Marine Protected Areas Congress in San Juan

Other O & E Activities 1.Article for Fuete y Verguilla on the importance of fishing closures to manage fisheries. 2.Collaboration with the EcoExploratorio in the development of the virtual aquarium exhibit to be opened in Plaza Las Americas in /14/14Alida Ortiz, OEAP Chairperson4

Promote more participation

Development of visual aids to identify changes in the EFH in Eastern Coast of PR -Field descriptions are very detailed. -Will provide excellent data for further research and to illustrate teaching materials. - Two field trips left due to weather limitations.

Development of visual aids to identify changes in the EFH in Eastern Coast of PR Recommendation : Support 2015 continuation to document presence of forage/bait species in Eastern PR (seasonality and habitats). Approximately 10K 7/14/14Alida Ortiz, OEAP Chairperson7

7/14/14Alida Ortiz, OEAP Chairperson8 USVI Activities: Marine Outreach & Education USVI Style

OEAP recommendation to the Council: – Consider support for the celebration of the DSTF event in St. Thomas in 2016 as suggested in the 150th Meeting. Aprox. $10, – Consider support for STX East End Marine Park (STXEEMP) Eco-camp (MOES-VI partner) as an outreach & education activity with 40 students to implement Essential Fish Habitat and fisheries conservation based experiments and stewardship activities during summer of Aprox. Cost $3, /14/14Alida Ortiz, OEAP Chairperson9 USVI Activities: Marine Outreach & Education USVI Style

Marine Resource Education Program – South East Caribbean Initiative Program Update by Helena Antoun

MREP-SE-Caribbean Initiative Outreach Website: Flyer 7/14/14Alida Ortiz, OEAP Chairperson11 convening/mrep-caribbean-espa%C3%B1ol

Agenda Day 1: Science workshop – DNER – NOAA Day 2: Management workshop – DNER – NOAA Day 3: Law enforcement workshop – DNER – Ranger Corps – DNER - Navegation – U.S.C.G. – U.S.C.B.P – FURA – NOAA

Workshop organization and participation Workshop moderators – Carlos Velazquez – Roberto Silva – Marcos Hanke Participants enrolled – 21 commercial fishers (1 USVI commercial fisher) – 7 recreational fishers – 7 other 35 participants total

Workshop dates and location Original dates: Oct , 2014 New dates: January 27 – 29, 2015 Hotel Villa Parguera, la Parguera, Lajas. All participants and speakers confirmed for new dates CANCELED: HURRICANE GONZALO

Questions?