Evaluation of the Ocean Resources Enhancement and Hatchery Program

OREHP Evaluation Part I (2015-2017)

Project need and goals

The Ocean Resources Enhancement and Hatchery Program (OREHP) is an experimental program that investigates the use of cultured fish to enhance wild populations. It was created by a California statute in 1982, is managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and is paid for by ocean enhancement stamps on state fishing licenses and the Federal Sportfishing Restoration Act.

Prior to 2015, there had been no formal assessment of the OREHP, so there was a need to assess the degree to which goals had been achieved. From 2015-2017, California Sea Grant (CASG) was contracted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to facilitate a scientific review to assess the success of the OREHP in meeting its goals. This review was achieved by:

1. Assembling a Science Advisory Committee (SAC) and expert sub-panels.
2. Assembling information from Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI) and CDFW needed to perform an evaluation.
3. Synthesizing subpanel reviews, assisting the SAC with the development of the project evaluation and recommendations, and helping the SAC write the report.

See the final evaluation report on CDFW's website: Evaluation of the Ocean Resources Enhancement and Hatchery Program (2017).

OREHP Evaluation Part II (2018)

Project need and goals

Following the publication of the evaluation report, CDFW contracted California Sea Grant to gather public input, through three town hall meetings in Southern California, to help inform recommendations and decisions to be made by CDFW with advice from the Ocean Resources Enhancement Advisory Panel (OREAP) regarding the future of the program. The goal to gather public opinion on the social values and future direction of the OREHP was met by:

1. Developing materials for soliciting and collecting informed public input.
2. Gathering public input from a diversity of stakeholder groups throughout Southern California by: a) administering anonymous surveys and encouraging public comment at three town hall meetings, and b) issuing a call for post-town hall public comment for stakeholders who could not attend the meetings.
3. Summarizing public input in a report.

See the final report on the results from the town halls on CDFW's website: Results of the 2018 Town Hall Meetings for the Ocean Resources Enhancement and Hatchery Program (2018).