Scientist, fisherman partner on oyster business, ecological restoration after collaborating on NC Sea Grant projects

April 21, 2022

A North Carolina Sea Grant-funded scientist and a commercial fisherman, who met while collaborating on Sea Grant-funded research, started the Sandbar Oyster Company. They are marketing a green-gill oyster, a type of oyster that fetches top prices in Europe. These oysters are grown on a biodegradable substrate developed as part of their research supported by Sea Grant. They are growing their oysters on a biodegradable substrate they developed as part of their research on carbonate-boring sponges that was supported by Sea Grant. The duo has developed relationships with chefs and retailers in the U.S. who seek these special oysters. They are working to ramp up production in the next reporting period to be able to provide more oysters to interested parties.

Group of people removing ghost nets from a beach.

Alabama

Biden-Harris administration invests $27 million to support community-driven marine debris solutions through Investing in America agenda

Today, the Department of Commerce and NOAA announced $27 million in funding for projects to prevent and remove marine debris in coastal and Great Lakes communities as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

This funding will support innovative research and foster local coalitions to address urgent marine debris issues by using NOAA Sea Grant’s partnered approach to bring science together with communities for solutions that work.

Shoring up the future, together: Collaborative efforts in coastal resilience across the Mid-Atlantic

Community members and city leaders gathered during a listening session to identify key climate readiness needs in Erie, Pennsylvania during June of 2023. (Photo by

Biden-Harris Administration invests $60 million to build a climate-ready workforce through Investing in America agenda

Today, the Department of Commerce and NOAA announced $60 million in funding to help train and place people in jobs that advance a climate-ready workforce for coastal and Great Lakes states, Tribes and Territories as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda under the Inflation Reduction Act. To date, awards like these from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda have created more than 270,000 jobs across the country.

The funding will support nine projects around the nation, with $50 million going directly to the projects and $10 million for technical assistance to support the grantees.