Rhode Island Sea Grant coastal and marine research and programs continue with NOAA funding

Contact: Barry Costa-Pierce
(401) 874-6800 / bcp@gso.uri.edu

NARRAGANSETT—Over the next two years, Rhode Island Sea Grant, through its biennial funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and matching grants, will be funding research, outreach, a legal program and education efforts that address coastal issues.  A total of $6.3 million will be spent in these areas.

“This funding allows us to continue to tackle coastal and marine problems from a variety of perspectives – drawing on the scientific, technical, legal and technical expertise available at Rhode Island’s universities,” said Barry Costa-Pierce, Rhode Island Sea Grant director. “Our work has led to discoveries about climate change and nutrient impacts in Narragansett Bay, the development of tools to reduce fisheries bycatch, the securing of public coastal access in Rhode Island, and practical guidance for the sustainable development of our shorelines, and I am happy that we will continue to support such programs.” The NOAA grant, awarded in February 2008, will continue through January 2010.

Research
Research funded from 2008 to 2010 provides close examination of Narragansett Bay; explores women’s roles in the southern New England fishing industry; and addresses fishery, fish processing and fishery management issues, coastal pollution and submerged lands ownership. See seagrant.gso.uri.edu/research for descriptions of each project.

Outreach
Coastal populations are expected to swell, particularly in urban areas, over the next several years. The Sustainable Coastal Communities and Ecosystems Extension Program, led by Jennifer McCann, is working to help coastal cities in Rhode Island, already the second-most populous state in the nation, deal with development issues, coastal hazards, and sea-level rise due to climate change.

Many challenges lie ahead for the successful management of the fisheries in a sustainable way. User conflicts are increasing as well as consumer pressures to induce sustainable practices. The Sustainable Fisheries Extension Program, led by Laura Skrobe and Kathleen Castro, is working to address management and industry needs through projects in fisheries science and technology, seafood safety and marketing, and resource economics.

Legal Program
Rhode Island Sea Grant is one of the few Sea Grant programs across the nation to have a legal program. Located at Roger Williams University School of Law (RWU), the Rhode Island Sea Grant Legal Program provides relevant legal information and services for Rhode Island and New England constituents, including state and local governments, coastal business (e.g., commercial and recreational fishermen), non-governmental organizations, and the general public.

Education
Rhode Island Sea Grant sponsors a number of programs that support student and adult learning, including fellowships for undergraduate and graduate students, a public lecture series, Coastweeks, and the annual Ronald C. Baird Sea Grant Science Symposium.

Program Development
Rhode Island Sea Grant will invest in a Sustainable Seafood Initiative over the coming two years. This initiative will promote understanding of sustainable seafoods, and help explain why seafood consumers should consider sustainable seafood as their primary source for consumption. Conducted in collaboration with the URI Department of Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, this initiative will initially develop a web site that will act as a “one stop shopping” portal to information on sustainable seafoods for the general public, students and researchers.

For more information about Rhode Island Sea Grant, contact Barry Costa-Pierce at (401) 874-6800.

Rhode Island Sea Grant is located at URI and is part of NOAA's National Sea Grant College Program, which promotes the conservation and sustainable development of marine resources for the public benefit.

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