Whoi sea grant's participation in regional lobster extension program (RLEP) will be centered around the development and coordination of communications products for nine key audiences, highlighting the…

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) will receive $247,502 under a three-year Cooperative Agreement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Sea Grant Support program (CFDA 11.417) to develop communications products for the Regional Lobster Extension Program (RLEP). WHOI Sea Grant will conduct needs assessments and interviews with nine stakeholder groups to identify information gaps and communication needs. Products will highlight results from the American Lobster Initiative research and address emerging issues in the American lobster fishery. WHOI will summarize needs assessment outcomes and share with RLEP and Sea Grant American Lobster Research Program members. The targeted communications and outreach are expected to effectively disseminate research findings to key audiences and support the program's goal of marine resources research, education, and advisory services.

Activities

The development of communications and outreach products will be informed by specific needs assessment of each audience, conducted through one-on-one or group interviews and surveys. These targeted conversations will inform US of the information gaps and communications needs of each respective interested party. The team will summarize the outcomes of our conversations into an internal-to-ALI resource document that will be shared with members of the rlep and the sea grant american lobster research program (SGALRP).

Expected outcomes

Through a targeted communications and outreach program, the product development will capitalize