A partnership between universities and the federal government’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Sea Grant directs federal resources to pressing problems in local communities. By drawing on the experience of more than 3,000 scientists, engineers, public outreach experts, educators and students from more than 300 institutions, Sea Grant is able to make an impact at local and state levels, and serve as a powerful national force for change.

Sea Grant invests in high-priority research, addressing issues such as population growth and development in coastal communities; preparation and response to hurricanes, coastal storms and tsunamis; understanding our interactions with the marine environment; fish and shellfish farming; seafood safety; and fisheries management. The results of this research are shared with the public through Sea Grant’s integrated outreach program, which brings together the collective expertise of on-the ground extension agents, educators, and communications specialists. The goal is to ensure that vital research results are shared with those who need it most and in ways that are timely, relevant, and meaningful.

Sea Grant’s Infrastructure – The Key To Success

Sea Grant is administered at the national level (through NOAA), but implemented at the local level— where we live, play and work every day. This unique model brings to bear the expertise of the academic community in essential but practical research and outreach activities that address society’s changing needs. The Sea Grant model allows for quick, effective transfer of science-based information: informing citizens, allowing ocean-related businesses to grow, and empowering policy makers to formulate well-informed decisions.

About the University of Guam Sea Grant Extension Program Project Overview

This project will build upon ongoing efforts to establish University of Guam Sea grant College (i.e., the UOG Sea Grant) by developing an effective extension program conducted as an equal partnership between scientific researchers and the communities of Micronesia. We envision a reciprocal appreciation of each partner’s knowledge and skills at each stage of the project, including problem definition/issue selection, research design, conducting research, interpreting the results, and determining how the results should be used for action. We envision that the creation and dissemination of science-based publications and educational outreach will create positive outcomes that will eventually lead to an improved quality of life for Guam and Micronesian inhabitants. In addition, the interaction with community partners will bring a fresh perspective that will foster scientific creativity. The initiative will provide leadership and technical capacity through the National Sea Grant Program and utilize a wide range of methods and approaches for capacity building methods and approaches that seek to understand and address critical issues related to maintaining healthy coastal ecosystems, safe and sustainable seafood supplies for Micronesia.

Creating a Sea Grant presence on Guam represents an opportunity for the National Sea grant Program to support and advance the cause of establishing a Sea Grant presence in Micronesia that is devoted to providing science-based information, translation, and coordinated research and outreach activity that focuses on managing coastal and ocean resources in ways that balance human needs with environmental health. Furthermore, this project supports all four of the national Sea Grant focus areas (Healthy Coastal Ecosystems primarily, and, to a lesser degree, Sustainable Coastal Development and Safe and Sustainable Seafood Supply and Hazard Resilience in Coastal Communities) as identified in the National Sea Grant Strategic Plan 2009-2013.

Sea Grant One-Pager

Hazard Resilient Coastal Communities

Safe Sustainable Seafood Supply

Healthy Coastal Ecosystems

Sustainable Coastal Development

As issues arise concerning natural and human hazards, Sea Grant seeks to educate residence along with businesses about both long and short term risks if any issues shall occur. Also by preparing communities for unexpected hazardous situations, Sea Grant can help reduce environmental risks. Moreover, Sea Grant serves as a support system for coastal catastrophes to help respondents build suitable responses.

Through Sea Grant resources, the revitalization of endangered fisheries has established new opportunities involving the ever-growing seafood demand. By informing the public about the causes of fishery endangerment and the opportunities that need to be taken, Sea Grant can push forth a long-term safe sustainable seafood supply.

Sea Grant strongly acknowledges the importance of healthy coastal ecosystems and is devising plans to acquire necessary information to prevent these ecosystems from further deterioration. With information already in grasp, widespread issues such as the concern for invasive species are being closely observed to effectively address the problems.

America’s increasing population has placed a strain on coastal communities. Therefore, Sea Grant plans to provide new policies, institutional capacities, and management approaches to decrease the damage on coastal communities. Sea Grant will also apply necessary inclinations to improve coastal redevelopment by scientific knowledge and other educational extension means.