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News Archive 2007
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For more information on any of the items
listed here, please contact Rhode Island Sea Grant Communications
at (401) 874-6800.
Sea Grant events
January 7, 2007
Lecture: Bizarre Sea Creatures
by David Beutel
Slater Mill, Pawtucket, RI
2 p.m.
January 31, 2007
Rhode Island Sea Grant Fisheries Mini Grant Meet & Greet
This year, Rhode Island Sea Grant is offering grants of $3,000 to $20,000 for
collaborative research among fishermen, both commercial and recreational,
and faculty and staff from various universities to investigate the changes that have occurred in the fisheries, the
fishing communities, the habitat, and/or fish themselves. Science, arts, and humanities projects will all be considered. Preference will be given to projects involving graduate and undergraduate students, including URI Coastal Fellows. Fishermen, researchers, academics, students, and others are invited to attend this meet & greet.
Hazards Room, URI Bay Campus Coastal Institute
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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February 6, 2007
Low Impact Development Master Design Certificate training program
The R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) Urban Coastal Greenway (UCG) Policy requires all those seeking CRMC permits to develop in the Metro Bay Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) Region to show proof of a Master Design Low Impact Development (LID) Certificate. Attendees who complete the course will receive hard-copy certification via mail post-event. $300. For more information or to register, visit the Metro Bay SAMP website at:
February 7, 2007
Gasping for Air: Climate Change in the Courts
On November 29, 2006, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in its first case directly related to global warming, Massachusetts v. EPA. Massachusetts and other petitioners, including Rhode Island, asked the court to set aside an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decision not to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.
Roger Williams University Baypoint Inn and Conference Center, Portsmouth, RI
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
March 26, 2007
Lecture: Proper Seafood Handling Techniques
by Lori Pivarnik
Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association meeting
West Valley Inn, West Warwick, RI
7 p.m.
$10 for nonmembers
March 30–April 1, 2007
New England Saltwater Fishing Show
Rhode Island Convention Center
April 2, 2007
Marine Economy Forum: Promoting New England’s Marine Economy: Challenges and Opportunities
This half-day conference brings together leading experts in industry and business, education, public policy and local and regional officials. Several high profile speakers, including former White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta, who chaired the Pew Oceans Commission from 2000-2003, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, and Jim Luyten, President of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, are confirmed. This forum is intended to kick off a continuing initiative to define, protect, and promote an economic sector this is so critical to New England’s vitality. The conference is free and open to the public. However, due to space limitations, please contact Alison Chace-Padula at or (401) 254-3793 to register.
Roger Williams University School of Law
Room 283
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
May 12, 2007
East Farm Day
The Sea Grant Sustainable Fisheries Extension Program is offering fisheries displays, a film presentation, and other activities. The day also includes URI Master Gardner program pruning classes, a seed give-a-way, a plant sale, cooking demonstrations, a petting zoo, and entertainment for children.
URI East Farm campus, Kingston, RI
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
June 13, 2007
Marine and Freshwater Resources: Managing for the 21st Century
by W. Michael Sullivan, R.I. Department of Environmental Management director
theater, 175 Main St., Pawtucket
7 p.m.
June 20, 2007
Commercial Fisheries of the Bay
by David Beutel
, Providence
5 p.m.
June 25, 2007
How Fish See
by Jacqueline Webb, URI marine biology professor
Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association meeting
West Valley Inn, West Warwick, RI
7 p.m.
$10 for nonmembers
June 26, 2007
Bizarre Sea Creatures
by David Beutel
Bizarre Sea Creatures
, Middletown
1 p.m.
July 9, 2007
Bizarre Sea Creatures
by David Beutel
6:30 p.m.
July 12, 2007
Will Your Home Be There for Your Grandchildren?
by Janet Freedman, R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council geologist
Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Rd., Charlestown
7 p.m.
July 12, 2007
The Public Trust Doctrine and the Management of Aquaculture in Rhode Island
By Megan Higgins and Dennis Nixon, associate dean of academic affairs at the URI College of Environment & Life Sciences
7 p.m.
For more information, contact David Alves, the R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council’s aquaculture coordinator, at (401) 783-3370.
July 18, 2007
Bizarre Sea Creatures
by David Beutel
Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Rd., Charlestown
7 p.m.
$5
August 1, 2007
Sea Turtles of New England
by Malia Schwartz
Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Rd., Charlestown
7 p.m.
$5
August 22, 2007
Cooking Demonstration: Seafood from Your Coast to Your Table
by Chef Normand Leclair
6 p.m.
September 11, 2007
Healthy Seafood, Healthy You
by David Beutel and Lori Pivarnik
7 p.m.
September 20, 21, 22, 25, and October 2, 2007
Commercial Fishing Trawl Trips
Be a commercial fisherman for a day, and bring home a fish for supper! This event is part of Coastweeks 2007.
September 15 to October 13, 2007
Coastweeks 2007
Beach cleanups, boat trips, hiking, biking, painting, poetry and more are on the calendar for the statewide annual celebration of the coast.
October 19-20, 2007
Creating Vibrant Waterfronts in Rhode Island
6th Annual Ronald C. Baird Sea Grant Science Symposium
This two-day symposium will explore how coastal communities are using the latest environmental, economic, and social science and tools to achieve vibrant waterfronts.
University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, Narragansett, RI
October 25 and 26, 2007
Haddock 2007: International Symposium on Haddock Conservation, Harvesting, and Management
An international symposium on haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) is being organized by the University of New Hampshire together with other collaborating institutions. This two-day symposium will include presentations and discussions on harvesting technologies, biological aspects, and resource management issues concerning haddock and haddock fisheries on both sides of the Atlantic.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
November 30, 2007
Menhaden Science and Policy Symposium
The allocation of the menhaden resource is a recurring contentious issue in Rhode Island. Rhode Islanders deserve the opportunity to explore the current information available about the menhaden resource. This symposium will cover the following topics: menhaden life history, history of the menhaden fishery, current coast-wide stock assessment, current stock assessment for Narragansett Bay, and the ecological value of menhaden. A panel discussion to discuss resource allocation will follow the presentations.
News
Roger Williams University School of Law seeks director of the Marine Affairs Institute and Rhode Island Sea Grant Legal Program and lecturer in marine law
The director has overall responsibility for the development and administration of the Law School’s marine law research program, Master of Marine Affairs joint degree program, and Sea Grant Legal Program. The director will oversee the Sea Grant Legal Program in conjunction with the director of the Rhode Island Sea Grant College Program. The director will organize maritime, marine, coastal, and other environmental law symposia, conferences, and seminars and develop/coordinate other projects such as CLE programs and faculty colloquia. In addition, the director is expected to teach one marine resources law course per semester at either the University of Rhode Island or Roger Williams University School of Law. The director supervises the work of the Research Counsel, Sea Grant Law Fellows, and the Administrative Assistant. The director reports directly to the dean, and is a member of the dean’s senior staff.
We are seeking candidates with a Juris Doctor from an American Bar Association approved law school and Master’s Degree preferably in a field related to Marine Affairs or sustainable coastal communities. A minimum of 7 years experience in maritime practice related to marine affairs or sustainable coastal communities is required along with strong organizational, administrative, and communication skills. Experience working with law students or newly admitted lawyers is desirable, as is some examples of professional or scholarly writing in relevant subject areas.
Interested applicants should send cover letter and resume to: Human Resources, Roger Williams University, One Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809 or indicating Ref #08062.
Roger Williams is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities Act Employer with a strong commitment to diversity. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply.
Pre-publication discount available on Narragansett Bay in the 21st Century
Science for Ecosystem-Based Management: Narragansett Bay in the 21st Century addresses the broad problem of coastal nutrient pollution. This book was developed in response to a symposium addressing this mandate with coastal/estuarine scientists and environmental management agency personnel. The contributors use long-term data sets to discuss the interactions among biological, ecological, chemical, and physical processes, and discuss what is known about nutrient inputs to the bay ecosystem, the impacts related to nutrient inputs, and how the ecosystem might respond to a sudden reduction in these inputs. Through December 31, 2007, the book is available for 20 percent off.
Researchers observe reversal of Narragansett Bay nitrogen cycle
Estuaries have long been considered nitrogen “sinks” or filters, whereby bacteria in the sediments remove substantial quantities of nitrogen through a process called denitrification.
But a new study in Narragansett Bay by researchers at the University of Rhode Island and published this week in the journal Nature has revealed a surprising reversal in the nitrogen cycle. Instead of removing nitrogen, the sediments have become a source of nitrogen through a bacterial process called nitrogen fixation.
According to URI researchers Robinson Fulweiler and Scott Nixon, chlorophyll concentrations in mid-Narragansett Bay appear to have been declining since the 1970s. This has resulted in a decrease in plankton sinking to the bottom. This is an important change because the plankton are an important food source for the benthic community and are essential for the denitrification process.
Baird Symposium papers available on-line
The Evolution of Ecosystem Based Management: From Theory to Practice, the 2006 Marine Law Symposium held at Roger Williams University School of Law and 5th Ronald C. Baird Sea Grant Science Symposium, provided analysis of ecosystem based management—a multi-faceted, integrated approach that strives to maintain healthy, productive and resilient ecosystems. Invited speakers who contributed to the discussion elaborated further in their respective submissions on ecosystem-based management. These papers are available on the .
Applications must be received in the Office of Human Resource Administration by 4:30 p.m. on the application deadline date.
Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Human Resource Administration, 80 Lower College Road, Kingston, RI 02881 or (401) 874-2416.
The University of Rhode Island is an AA/EEO Employer and values diversity. Persons requiring the assistance of a T.T.Y. (Text telephone for the deaf, hard of hearing, etc.) may call Rhode Island Relay at 1-800-745-5555.
Rhode Island Sea Grant 2006–2008 Program Guide available
America’s shorelines are being loved to death. There are high demands for recreational, business, and residential developments near the water. Communities must balance economic and environmental values and manage the impacts of development while maintaining the integrity of coastal ecosystems. Improved stewardship by resource users is necessary to achieve sustainability.
Addressing these issues is Rhode Island Sea Grant’s focus. In 2006–08, the program is funding over $3 million annually (federal and state/private match) in Rhode Island-based projects, and about $2 million in projects throughout the country. The program’s efforts in research, education, outreach, legal, regional, and program development build on its strengths in two overarching thematic areas: Sustainable Fisheries and Sustainable Coastal Communities and Ecosystems.
Rhode Island Sea Grant’s program agenda for 2006–08 emphasizes partnership, cooperation, and collaboration. We seek to harness the collective strengths and resources of public and private partners to develop feasible, broadly supported solutions to coastal ocean and resource management issues.
Exciting plans are under way for us in 2006–08. We are committed to expanding our funding base and our ideas about developing further a Sea Grant Foundation. We also intend to contribute to the diversity of our institution and the regionalization and internationalization of our programs. With a strong Sea Grant leadership team and innovative programs, we are well on the path to becoming one of the top Sea Grant programs in the national network.
To download the new program guide, . Program guides are also available free by contacting Rhode Island Sea Grant Communications at (401) 874-6800.
University of Rhode Island to Receive Over $1.5 Million for Sea Grant Program
WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to help the University of Rhode Island (URI) continue its role as a leader in cooperative fisheries and ocean research, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today announced that URI will receive $1,517,963 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Sea Grant College Program.
"The University of Rhode Island has been a leader in ocean research and conservation and the Sea Grant program has been a vital resource in carrying out cooperative research, strengthening our coastal communities, and conserving our ocean resources," said Reed, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science, which oversees federal spending on NOAA. "I am pleased that URI has received this federal funding to continue its efforts to protect our oceans and raise awareness about protecting our coastal resources."
The National Sea Grant College program provides federal funding to over 30 state Sea Grant programs at universities across the country for research, education, and outreach on coastal resource use and conservation. URI's program, located in its School of Oceanography, focuses it efforts on coastal protection and sustainable fisheries. Federal funding for the Sea Grant program is matched by state and private funding.
In March, Reed requested increased funding for the highly successful Sea Grant College Program. Federal funding for the program has been drastically reduced by cuts over the past three years.
"Rhode Island's coastal habitat and fisheries are an essential part of our culture and heritage," stated Reed. "For decades, the Sea Grant program has worked to protect our state's natural resources, while at the same time raising awareness about the importance of conservation. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to ensure that the Sea Grant program receives the funding that it needs to continue its important work in Rhode Island and throughout the nation."
This money will fund Rhode Island Sea Grant's research, education, outreach, legal, and communications programs for fiscal year 2007. Programs support Rhode Island Sea Grant's 2006-2010 to assist coastal stakeholders in the state, the Northeast, and the nation.
Experimental net targets haddock, reduces bycatch
Researchers and fishermen conducted 100 side-by-side comparisons of the experimental "Eliminator Trawl" net and currently regulated gear, and found that the experimental net "virtually eliminated all of the bycatch like flounders, cod, skates, lobsters and dogfish.” For more information, photos, or to download the technical report, .
Visual Arts Sea Grant seeks applicants for 2007 award
The Visual Arts Sea Grant program
was established to encourage New England professional visual artists to address the issue of the environment of the ocean and its coastal communities. Grants of up to $2,000 annually are intended to assist individual and/or collaborating artists whose works are related to themes of the marine environment. The program is run by the URI department of art and art history. The application deadline is May 30, 2007. For application information and requirements, visit the department's website at .
Researchers assessing tuna aquaculture in Mexico
Tuna farming in large nearshore net pens is expanding rapidly along Mexico's Baja-Pacific coast, driven by increasing U.S. and Japanese demand for the farmed tuna, which are reportedly higher in oil content and thus desirable for sushi.
Unlike closed-systems aquaculture, where fish are bred from captive stock, fed formulated feeds, and reared in captivity, Mexican tuna farming operations are ranches and use wild caught fish for stocks and feeds. If these practices are done correctly, Mexico could serve as a global center of excellence for evolving an environmentally and socially sustainable tuna farming industry.
Researchers from the United States and Mexico are undertaking an assessment of the tuna farming science, practices, governance, and social issues to determine recommendations on best practices and methods needed to develop successful and economical captive reproduction, feeds, and non-polluting systems for tuna farming.
Rhode Island Sea Grant sends three Knauss Fellows to Washington
Rhode Island Sea Grant is sending three graduate students to Washington, D.C., for one-year, $41,500, National Sea Grant College Program Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowships. Jingjie Chu, Elizabeth Etrie, and Yong Jiang are among 44 Fellows who will begin working in the federal government on marine and coastal issues starting February 1, 2007.
Applications being accepted for 2008 Knauss Fellowship
Rhode Island Sea Grant is accepting applications for the 2008 Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship program. This one-year program is open to any student, regardless of citizenship, who, on April 5, 2007, is in a graduate or professional program in a marine or aquatic-related field at a United States-accredited institution of higher education. For more information, visit the .
International conference draws URI experts, promotes sustainable oceans and coasts
URI's representation at National Academy of Sciences meeting (left to right): Frank Hall, Stella Maris Vallejo, Barry Costa-Pierce, Tundi Agardy, Stephen Olsen, Michael Sissenwine |
A National Academy of Sciences (NAS) international conference in Panama on sustainable oceans and coasts drew a number of coastal experts with ties to the University of Rhode Island (URI) to share their global expertise.
The U.S. National Research Council's Committee on International Capacity Building for the Protection and Sustainable Use of Oceans and Coasts met at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama City in November to discuss strategies for building international capacity for the protection and sustainable use of oceans and coasts. The Panama workshop was an opportunity for the committee to receive input from government and nongovernment organizations, marine science universities, and those working in communities on successful coastal management efforts worldwide.
Peter Burbridge, former director of the program in Tropical Coastal Management at the University of Newcastle in England stated, “Many capacity-building initiatives have not provided sufficient financial or technical resources, or have been of too short a duration to establish sufficiently strong cores of expertise for them to be effective. It would be sensible to seek complementary partnerships among donors and host countries to enable effective, longer term capacity-building programs to be designed and implemented.”
URI, with its long history of international leadership in coastal, fisheries, and marine policy programs, was well represented at the NAS meeting. Stephen B. Olsen, director of the Coastal Resources Center at URI, and Michael Sissenwine, a Ph.D. from URI’s Graduate School of Oceanography, are members of the Academy Committee. Olsen is one of the world’s foremost experts in integrated coastal management and has led coastal ecosystem management in Latin America, East Africa, and Southeast Asia for over 30 years. He led a breakout group on assembling and maintaining global networks. Most recently, at a ministerial meeting in Beijing, China, organized by the United Nations Environment Program, a framework developed by Olsen and his partners worldwide for assessing progress through a sequence of outcomes was formally adopted as the means to document and assess future efforts in coastal and watershed management.
Participants making presentations at the meeting were: Tundi Agardy, a URI Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, and founder and executive director of Sound Seas; Michael Sissenwine, a URI Ph.D. in oceanography, and now retired science director of the NOAA Fisheries Service and president of the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES); Frank Hall, URI Ph.D. in oceanography, and now program officer with the NAS Ocean Studies Board; Stella Maris Vallejo, URI M.A. in marine affairs, and now consultant for the International Maritime Organization and the United Nations; and Barry Costa-Pierce, director of the Rhode Island Sea Grant College Program and professor of Fisheries and Aquaculture at URI.
The conference was funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, NOAA, the National Science Foundation, and the U.S. National Academies.
Rhode Island Sea Grant releases RfP January 18
On Thursday, January 18, 2007, the Rhode Island Sea Grant College Program released a Request for Proposals (RfP) for the research portion of its 2008-2010 Omnibus program.
Further information and full application details are available at the Rhode Island Sea Grant College Program Administration web site ().
During this RfP, Rhode Island Sea Grant College Program is offering two new, separate competitions in addition to its traditional Omnibus Research RfP. One is a call for "mini-grants" for collaborative research in fisheries through the Rhode Island Sea Grant Sustainable Fisheries Program, and the other is a call for "mini-grants" for collaborative research in legal, law, and policy issues through the Rhode Island Sea Grant Legal Program.
If you have any questions, please contact Alan Desbonnet, Interim Assistant Director of Rhode Island Sea Grant at or 874-6813. |
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University of Rhode Island