Logic model for aquaculture literacy efforts

A logic model is a roadmap to the relationships between a program's inputs, activities, outputs, and intended impacts. Logic models clearly and concisely describe how the inputs and activities that are dedicated to a program will be evaluated to determine how they achieve the program's goals.

You can download CoPAL’s logic model here, or follow the sections below to learn about each logic model component. For assistance accessing any of the content in the presentation, contact Brianna Shaughnessy (brianna.shaughnessy@noaa.gov).

The "problem"

Public perceptions of the value and importance of aquaculture vary by community and are impacted by a lack of familiarity with the industry. This lack of familiarity is a barrier to communities embracing the social, economic, and environmental sustainability opportunities that aquaculture can offer. By working together the NOAA Fisheries, the National Sea Grant Office, and NOAA Office of Education identified a common problem to tackle: There was no sustained effort to leverage and strengthen NOAA’s resources as a strategy to increase public understanding of aquaculture.

The solution

The three offices came up with a solution: to increase public access to, and engagement with, consistent and accurate information about the environmental, economic, and social sustainability aspects of expanding aquaculture. Working together towards this solution would allow NOAA to support sustainable aquaculture expansion by creating able and confident educators and informed consumers.

How did we arrive at this solution?

The rationale behind CoPAL’s solution to increase public access to, and engagement with, aquaculture information is that support for NOAA’s sustainable aquaculture goals requires high aquaculture literacy among diverse audiences. If NOAA fosters a knowledgeable public, the agency will be better suited to expand the economic, environmental, and social benefits of aquaculture in the future. The CoPAL team determined that the best approach to reach this solution was to support partnerships that enhance public aquaculture literacy and create an informed public.

What will it take to get there?

Following the format of a logic model, CoPAL identified inputs, activities, and outputs for developing innovative and engaging aquaculture literacy opportunities:

Inputs	Activities	Outputs
Aquaculture literacy coordinator and supervisory staff for that employee from each participating office.	Aquaculture literacy coordinator leverages existing resources and key personnel (e.g. aquaculture liaisons).	Aquaculture literacy coordinator is a clear point of contact for aquaculture literacy resources, partnerships, and opportunities.
Funding for workshops, webinars, conferences, and other activities that invite the public to learn about and engage in discussions about aquaculture.	Aquaculture literacy coordinator tracks and evaluates CoPAL engagement, lessons learned, priorities, and major achievements.	Enhanced aquaculture literacy with diverse audience groups.
Funding for aquaculture literacy grant opportunities that support innovative partnerships and projects.	Aquaculture literacy coordinator briefs NOAA leadership and presents to the broader community.	New and sustained partnerships connect NOAA to national aquaculture literacy efforts.
Building aquaculture literacy into priorities for other NOAA funding opportunities (e.g., Sea Grant funding).	Funding opportunities to support cross-sectoral partnerships.	Successful aquaculture literacy efforts drive future priorities.
Continuation of NOAA’s Community of Practice for Aquaculture Literacy (CoPAL).	CoPAL convenes inter- and intra-agency partnerships.	NOAA CoPAL consistently shares best practices, achievements, and priorities with partners.

What happens once we get there?

Short-term impacts:

Aquaculture literacy coordinator position acts as the liaison across offices, and evolves alongside NOAA’s aquaculture priorities.
NOAA CoPAL continues to manage grants, partnerships, and activities.
Consistent evaluation of project impacts and accomplishments.
Stronger and more effective inter- and intra-agency partnerships.

Mid-term impacts:

NOAA CoPAL documents and shares best practices and lessons learned.
Public audiences benefit from high-quality aquaculture outreach and education opportunities.
Partners gain a clearer understanding of public attitudes towards aquaculture efforts.

Long-term impacts:

Public audiences are more prepared to support sustainable aquaculture products as educated consumers.
Increased equity in food security systems resilience projects.
Funding opportunities and policies reflect aquaculture literacy needs.