By: Caroline Wiernicki. Who has the monkey? It’s a question I’ve been asking myself a lot lately. In the words of William Oncken Jr. and Donald L. Wass, the proverbial “monkey” is a concept key to working on a team: an individual’s responsibility or task that contributes towards the team’s broader goals.
Learning to tame monkeys Read More>
Sea Grant was reauthorized by Congress through 2025. The bill became law on December 18, 2020.
Congress Reauthorizes NOAA Sea Grant through 2025 Read More>
Several Sea Grant projects purchased farm fresh seafood originally intended for local restaurants and repurposed it to restore aquatic and marine environments. Not only did this creative solution aid in local restoration efforts but it also provided immediate relief to aquaculture producers whose sales were impacted by the pandemic.
Relief that Restores: Shellfish Aquaculture Read More>
As 2020 draws to a close, Sea Grant is reflecting on its best moments of what has been an especially challenging year. Several Sea Grant projects and people were recently recognized by the Sea Grant Association (SGA) for their exceptional work.
Sea Grant Recognizes Best in Program Read More>
Sea Grant-supported research is consistently published in high-quality journals and is highly cited in local, regional, and international publications, according to a recent study. This assessment of over 6,500 peer-reviewed publications from 2001-2015 also shows that while Sea Grant research projects typically address local issues, the work is often cited well beyond that, in fact, sometimes worldwide.
Sea Grant-supported research publications have local to global impact Read More>
By: Jessie Straub. By applying my coastal resilience skills and knowledge during my Knauss Fellowship, I knew I could become a “force” for good. As part of an informal working group for 2020 Knauss fellows, FORCE (Fellows for Organized Coastal Efforts), I have the chance to do just that.
By: Lauren Bonatakis. When I decided to quit my full-time, benefitted job to move to a new state for a year of service with AmeriCorps on a whim, it was a surprise to those who know me best. It was also one of the best decisions I have made.
By giving back, I gained more than I could imagine Read More>
By: Tiffany Atkinson. I can’t emphasize enough how incredibly valuable it can be when someone takes you under their wing as a mentor. The lessons we learn from these relationships can teach us so much about ourselves and the world.
Lessons learned: The difference a mentor makes Read More>
In 2020, Sea Grant continued to engage in hundreds of aquaculture-related projects and ongoing efforts, leveraging federal dollars well beyond the federal investment with partnerships and collaborative efforts. This year, several established projects selected in previous years received continued funding, and many new initiatives were launched.
National Sea Grant Aquaculture Initiative: 2020 Update Read More>
By: Victoria Luu. A quick Google search reveals no shortage of articles and blog posts describing 2020 as what, at the end of 2019, many hoped and believed would be a “Super Year” for the ocean. However, with the travel bans and limits on in-person gatherings imposed in the wake of COVID-19, most of the international meetings have been postponed. Where does that leave someone working in NOAA’s Office of International Affairs?
International affairs… from the comfort/confines of home Read More>
A new study, funded in part by North Carolina Sea Grant, has found the spread of ghost forests across a coastal region of North Carolina may have implications for global warming. Ghost forests are areas where rising seas have killed off freshwater-dependent trees, leaving dead or dying white snags standing in marsh.
By: Michelle Harris. There’s a common joke that geographers “know where it’s at” – but for this geographer, a sense of direction is not something I’m inherently adept at. No matter how much I plan, there is always an unexpected turn somewhere along the way to be laughed about later. When comparing this to my life roadmap, it is because of fateful turns that this “lost geographer” ended up becoming a Knauss fellow.
The Lost Geographer: Following the road signs to Knauss Read More>
This summer, Michigan Sea Grant (MISG) welcomed 16 undergraduate interns to work on research related to aquatic invasive species, fisheries, ecosystem modeling, and education and green infrastructure. Their two-month-long internship projects, aimed at enhancing sustainable use of Great Lakes resources, were part of the Sea Grant Community Engaged Internship (CEI) program.
Michigan Sea Grant interns focus research on conservation issues in Great Lakes Read More>
Network with Sea Grant colleagues and learn the latest in coastal restoration and management during Restore America’s Estuaries’/Coastal States Organization’s National Coastal & Estuarine Summit, held virtually September 29 – October 1, 2020.
The Sea Grant American Lobster Initiative, created in 2019, works to understand ecosystem changes affecting American lobster and share findings with regional stakeholders who can use the information to influence lobster management. This National Lobster Day (September 25) take a look at the extension and research strides made by Sea Grant’s American Lobster Initiative in its first year.
Celebrating American Lobster Initiative successes on National Lobster Day Read More>
The Sea Grant Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative is hosting the first annual Sea Grant Great Lakes Aquaculture Day on October 10, 2020. Register now for this free, interactive, virtual event!
By: Grace Roskar. From a summer internship in North Carolina to policy work in D.C., graduate school in Florida, and a research cruise in the Southeast, the variety of experiences I had and the people I met over the years are what influenced my journey to the fellowship.
“Knauss†is everywhere you go Read More>
While red abalone were once abundant throughout California, they have long been in decline due to overfishing and environmental changes. California Sea Grant-funded researchers identified conditions that promote consistent recruitment, but also found that prolonged heat stress can cause red abalone recruitment to fail, in a new study published in the Journal of Shellfish Research last month.
California Sea Grant-funded research finds warmer waters threaten red abalone recovery Read More>
By: Naomi Lewandowski. For nearly 10 years, I’ve made career choices based on one very sacred metric: would my eight-year-old self be proud of me? As I navigated college, temporary lab jobs, and graduate school, I held this metric dear. However, after becoming a Knauss fellow, and starting down an unexpected and, potentially, brand new career track, it’s been more difficult to figure out what my eight-year-old self would think.
Becoming the type of scientist my childhood self never pictured Read More>
As the country adapts to changes necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, coastal and Great Lakes communities, too, are rethinking how to resume what were once normal activities. Sea Grant programs are leading efforts to provide relief to the communities they serve. Read about a few of the initiatives Sea Grant created or enhanced in recent months.
Sea Grant responds to COVID-19-related challenges across the country Read More>
By: Maggie Chory. When thinking about my experience so far as a Knauss Fellow, I am struck by the fact that many of the skills I learned and practiced as a graduate student play into my day-to-day work now. One skill that I was surprised to discover would have so much importance this year is the ability to conduct a productive and meaningful interview.
Sea Grant announces $2 million in support of the Sea Grant American Lobster Initiative to address scientific and stakeholder needs associated with this important fishery. The funded research will address critical gaps in knowledge about how American lobster is being impacted by environmental change in the Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank and southern New England.
Sea Grant announces $2 million in support of 2020 American Lobster Initiative projects Read More>
Elise Ertl, a Coastal Science Communications Intern at Wisconsin Sea Grant, reflects on her projects and growth during her virtual summer internship.
One intern’s reflection Read More>
While I now live in Washington, D.C., and have committed to a career in science, it was only six months ago that I packed up my favorite corkscrew and bottle opener to begin my adventure as a Knauss fellow. Five of the lessons I learned through my bartending experiences stand out as those that I believe make me successful as a scientist.
On the rocks? A bartender’s guide to scientific success Read More>
By: Rachel Hager. I’m a Knauss marine policy fellow at NOAA because of a poster. Seven years ago, I saw one small poster pinned to a brown cork board in the hallway of a research center in Maryland. I decided to apply for the Knauss fellowship as an inland fellow from Utah because I kept thinking about that poster.
The Power of a Poster Read More>
Sea Grant and the National Marine Fisheries Service (Fisheries) are pleased to announce the 2020 Fisheries-Sea Grant Joint Fellowship recipients. Nine population and ecosystem dynamics fellowships and one marine resource economics fellowship were awarded through this national program. The two fellowships offered within this program are aimed at training the next generation of specialized experts in fisheries management. The program addresses the critical need for future fisheries scientists with expertise in stock assessment and related fields.
Sea Grant and NOAA Fisheries Announce 2020 Joint Fellowship Program Awardees Read More>
By: Brittney Parker. I knew the Knauss Fellowship was the perfect way to take on a new challenge while pushing myself out of my comfort zone of scientific research. Little did I know prior to placement week that through my Knauss Fellowship I wouldn’t just be learning the ins-and-outs of a single executive branch office; I also would be working at a national non-profit.
A Tale of Two Offices Read More>
Oysters play an important role in coastal communities. Celebrate the small but mighty oyster this National Oyster Day, Sea Grant-style, with one or more of these ways.
10 Ways to Enjoy Oysters in Celebration of National Oyster Day Read More>
By: Meredith Richardson. Knauss Fellows have the unique opportunity to follow their own interests during their fellowship year, rather than exact roles laid out in a job description. It’s this flexibility that allows fellows to serve as connectors between departments and agencies, identifying areas for improvement and increasing efficiency.
The Business Case for Knauss Fellows Read More>
In February 2021, the 42nd class of the John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship will begin fellowships across NOAA and other federal agencies to make their mark on national ocean and coastal policy and administration. While the experiences and backgrounds of each class are quite diverse, many selected fellows build on educational experiences offered by NOAA earlier in their careers.
Pathways to marine policy: Knauss Fellows build on past experiences with NOAA Read More>
The 74 finalists in the 2021 class represent 27 of the 34 Sea Grant programs. This year’s class includes early career professionals who have diverse backgrounds and experiences. Since 1979, over 1,400 fellows have completed the program, becoming leaders in science, policy, and public administration roles.
The ongoing warming of Lake Michigan increases its susceptibility to Asian carp, in part by reducing the capacity of quagga mussels to act as an ecological barrier against the voracious algae-eating fish, according to a new study supported by Michigan Sea Grant.
Logan Bilbrough, Maryland Sea Grant’s undergraduate multimedia intern, describes his education path, finding his passion for environmental communication and what led him to the Community Engaged Internship program.
Finding the Right Path: It isn’t always a straight line Read More>
By: Alexandra Skrivanek. NOAA’s mission of science, service and stewardship is vast in scope, spanning the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean. I can personally attest to this because, in the first 24 hours of traveling with RDML Gallaudet in HawaiÊ»i at the start of my fellowship year, we covered most of this breadth.
California Sea Grant is pleased to announce six new research projects aimed at restoring California’s kelp forests. The newly funded projects in the 2020 Kelp Recovery Research Program total $2.1 million, funded jointly by California Sea Grant and the California Ocean Protection Council, in collaboration with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
New research to address kelp forest crisis in California Read More>
When Nicole Bartlett with NOAA’s Regional Collaboration network reached out to Grace Simpkins, an educator with Woods Hole Sea Grant, to ask about offering a webinar for students during the stay-at-home orders, Grace initially wanted to keep things simple. “Maybe [we can offer] one webinar,” she thought. “Okay, maybe three…” Twelve weeks and 35 webinars later, the NOAA Live! 4 Kids series had reached 4,900 live participants, providing opportunities for kids across the country and around the world to interact with scientists and learn about careers at NOAA.
12 weeks, thousands of kids: How NOAA Live! connected students to science at home Read More>
By: Cheyenne Stienbarger. Before we begin, there is something you must know about me. I like organization and need to have a plan, whether it’s a plan for the trip to the grocery store, for the year, or for the next five years. I live to plan. Spoiler alert: you just can’t plan for some things. I discovered the Knauss Fellowship at a critical point in my graduate career where I was uncertain as to what my next steps would be. My decision to pursue the fellowship was not a frivolous one, but it also wasn’t part of my original plan.
You Can’t Plan for a Change of Plans Read More>
Ten weeks can be fleeting. Even though the days may pass quickly, they can be momentous ones. At Wisconsin Sea Grant this summer, the hope is that for eight undergraduates 70 days will be formative. The eight students are participating in an inaugural internship program targeted toward underserved and indigenous communities, rich in mentoring and, in three of the five opportunities, focused on tribal issues.
By: Alexandra Skrivanek. Stuart Levenbach began his career in marine policy exploring how anemones, macroalgae, sea urchins and fish interact on rocky reefs off southern California. Less than two decades later, he was appointed as the Chief of Staff of NOAA. Dr. Levenbach always knew he would play a role in advancing natural resource policy in Washington, D.C., having full confidence in the Knauss fellowship. However, there were a few plot twists along the way.
The power of purpose, personal connections and paying attention Read More>
Washington Sea Grant’s fellowships give students and recent graduates the real-world experience in marine research, policy and communication they need to help jump-start their careers. These fellows go on to do amazing things around the world.
Where are Washington Sea Grant Fellows now? Read More>
By: Kat Montgomery. Did you know that most of the salmon you see in grocery stores and restaurants comes from a fish farm? In fact, aquaculture, which is the farming of fish, shellfish and seaweed in fresh or saltwater, produces about half of the world’s seafood supply. I became interested in aquaculture sort of by accident, and that newfound interest led me to my current position as a Legislative Knauss Fellow.
How a love of seafood brought me to Capitol Hill Read More>
In a new report published by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), California Sea Grant and Alaska Sea Grant contributed a case study to highlight the approach Sea Grant extension personnel take in working with fishing communities and the seafood direct marketing information products they have created since the mid 1990s.
Seafood direct marketing: Sea Grant experts contribute to UN report Read More>
By: Christine Bassett. Given my experience thinking about past climate and oceans, it might seem peculiar for me, a geoscientist, to spend my Knauss Fellowship year in the National Weather Service’s (NWS) Office of Observations. Read about how my work at the NWS gives me the opportunity to bring my focus on past human-climate interactions into the present and future.
Weathering the Storm: Improving Communications About Extreme Weather and Climate Read More>
It’s almost time for summer fun outdoors and on the water, and that means it’s time to remember, safety first! Sea Grant programs across the nation share information and advice related to safe practices in coastal environments.
Safety First: Tips for a Safe Summer from Sea Grant Read More>
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In this article, former Knauss fellow Lisa Kim explores her Korean identity and how it has influenced her early career journey with coastal science policy.
From South Korea to America: How I embraced my cultural identity in between Read More>
By: Josie Lindsey-Robbins. Coming from a small town in rural Missouri, Emily never imagined she would end up living and working near Washington, D.C. Today, Emily serves as the Director of Formulation and Congressional Analysis (FCA) for NOAA Research. She began her journey in NOAA as a 2005 Knauss Fellow, placed within the National Ocean Service in the suite of the administrative assistant, who was Dr. Richard Spinrad at the time.
A long and winding road: Knauss alum, Emily Larkin, shares her career journey within NOAA Read More>
By: Kirsten Rhude. Even though my work as a Knauss Fellow makes me feel connected to coastal communities, lately I’ve been missing my time spent in nature. While I may not have realized it initially, my sense of stewardship and love of the natural world, which made me so passionate about becoming a Knauss fellow, have deep connections to home and a sense of place. For me, home is the Great Lakes.
Far from HOMES*: The importance of place-based stewardship Read More>
By: Amanda Dwyer. One of the Knauss Fellowship’s most exciting opportunities is to explore areas of marine science that are outside your academic field of expertise. With my placement at the NOAA Marine Debris Program, I am working to support NOAA’s National Ocean Service (NOS) Zero Waste Initiative to promote zero waste efforts in the organization’s daily operations and events.
Decreasing Marine Debris: From Coastal Communities to National Efforts Read More>
By: Emily Y. Horton. Social connection. It’s part of what makes us human and it’s fundamental to our wellbeing. So how does the 2020 cohort of Knauss Fellows network when required to “physically distance” at home? In this blog post, I share about virtual alumni-engagement initiatives our cohort is leading and discuss how in my fellowship as a Partnership Specialist for Sea Grant, I will help lay the groundwork for a fellows network.
The Power of Connection: Knauss Fellow and Alumni Engagement During a Pandemic and Beyond Read More>
As on the East Coast, native oyster populations in California are today only a fraction of what they once were. Besides reducing wild-sourced seafood for
Native Oyster Recovery in California Read More>
Management activities to rebuild the Chesapeake Bay eastern oyster population have achieved limited success. One reason is that the magnitude of oyster spatfall (settling and
Analyzing 70 Years of Oyster Monitoring Data to Help Guide Oyster Restoration in Maryland Read More>
Changes in land-use coupled with sea-level rise contribute to changes in marsh habitat. Living shorelines, oyster restoration, and marsh buffer policies can help to mitigate
Using Remote Sensing to Study Interactions Between Oysters and Marsh Edges Read More>
Oysters provide important ecosystem services and economic value. However, reduced natural stocks need to be restored. Oyster restoration is growing rapidly worldwide because there are
In 2012, following a severe drought and high salinity, Apalachicola Bay experienced a crash in its oyster population. Historically the bay was the #1 source
Florida Sea Grant facilitates large-scale experiments to optimize oyster reef restoration Read More>
With the help of Virginia Sea Grant funding, researchers at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) have developed a genetic test for evaluating whether
Researchers Develop New Genetic Testing Tool to Evaluate Success of Oyster Restoration Read More>
In a changing climate, sea-level rise, storm surge and erosion all threaten our coasts’ sandy beaches. Teams of volunteer citizen scientists from New Hampshire, Maine and California Sea Grant programs are helping researchers keep a finger on the pulse of the shifting sands.
Citizen science in shifting sands Read More>
By: Jennifer Le. Most recipes on the internet begin with a quirky story related to the author, recipe or dish. In a similar vein, this “recipe” is a step-by-step story about how baking has helped me, personally, work through my anxiety both during graduate school and the current pandemic.
Therapy bakes for the anxious Read More>
With a research award from Georgia Sea Grant, scientists at Georgia Southern University are conducting a series of laboratory experiments to assess the effects of
While razor clams have virtually disappeared on the eastern shores of Alaska’s Cook Inlet, no one knows exactly what’s caused the clams to crash to
Sea Grant Leads the Way for Ocean Acidification Research in Alaska Read More>
MIT Sea Grant funds work examining combined effects of ocean acidification and warming on American lobster. Photo credit: Robyn Hannigan MIT Sea Grant funded researcher
In Washington, the growing challenge of ocean acidification has intensified the need for bridging translational gaps between scientists and those relying on their findings. Affected
Seagrasses, like eelgrass, may help mitigate the negative effects of ocean acidification. Photo credit: California Sea Grant The negative impacts of ocean acidification on ocean
California Sea Grant Eelgrass Research Informs Decisions on Proposed State Legislation Read More>
The fate of coral reefs, and the human communities which rely upon them, depend heavily on the capacity for reef-building corals to adapt or acclimatize
Marine debris is a pervasive global problem that touches every corner of our ocean and Great Lakes. Sea Grant, in collaboration with the NOAA Marine Debris Program, recently awarded $350,000 to eight Sea Grant programs for projects that will research, prevent and remove marine debris in US waters.
By: Connor Fagan. In August of 2005, the winds and waves of Hurricane Katrina smashed through the city of New Orleans. A middle-schooler at the time, my life, along with millions of others, as a New Orleanian would never be the same. Since then, I have directed my studies and career towards environmental policy as a result of Hurricane Katrina and other disasters in the Gulf of Mexico.
From Katrina to COVID-19: Influences on a Career in Environmental Policy Read More>
By: Zuzanna Abdala. As of April 1st, 2020, the entire DC metro area is under stay-at-home orders. Although we may not be able to navigate this fellowship year in the same manner as our alumni counterparts, this situation has created opportunities for thoughtful and swift problem-solving, strong communication and creative thinking.
Freshwater is a precious resource that requires conservation and protection. From water quality to water availability, Sea Grant is addressing key water issues and helping to enact sustainable water management practices throughout the country.
Sea Grant addresses water issues nationally Read More>
In a study led by California Sea Grant Extension Specialist Theresa Talley, researchers found that nearly a quarter of fish sampled from a creek that flows into San Diego Bay contain microplastics. This work, which was recently published in the journal PLOS ONE, examined plastics in coastal sediments and three species of fish.
California Sea Grant publishes new research on microplastics in San Diego estuary fish Read More>
Over a year ago, I packed my belongings and moved from Long Beach, California, to Washington, D.C. to get firsthand experience working in the federal government as a Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellow. Embarking upon my year, I knew one thing for sure: it was bound to be full of surprises. I’ve learned a number of important lessons this year about NOAA’s role in advancing the human dimensions of coastal, atmospheric, and marine sciences.
Photo story: 5 lessons learned during my Knauss Fellowship Read More>
Georgia Sea Grant, in partnership with 12 other Sea Grant programs, was awarded a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to study human displacement and relocation caused by climate change, and the societal and economic implications of such population shifts.
Georgia Sea Grant to coordinate studies on climate-induced population shifts Read More>
Sea Grant is excited to share its research, education and extension work from across the nation at the Ocean Sciences Meeting 2020. The gathering of ocean scientists and other professionals will take place in San Diego, CA from February 16-21, 2020.
Sea Grant Makes Waves at Ocean Sciences 2020 Read More>
Aloha! On February 9-12, Sea Grant aquaculture professionals will join thousands of other aquaculture researchers, practitioners, regulators, suppliers and others in Honolulu, Hawaii for the Aquaculture America 2020 conference.
Sea Grant to Participate in Aquaculture America 2020 Read More>
Knauss Fellowship alumni use the experiences they gain during the fellowship to pursue a variety of careers, from NOAA Chief of Staff to professors or U.S. Senate committee staff. But as a musician in the successful band Animal Collective, 2004 fellow Brian Weitz may have the most out-of-the-box “where are they now” story.