Research is an essential component of Sea Grant’s work in coastal and Great Lakes communities, supporting scientists from hundreds of institutions. This cutting-edge research answers questions related to the health of coastal ecosystems, sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture, resilience of coastal communities, and development of a skilled workforce.

Here are just a few of Sea Grant’s recent research publications that are making a splash:

Sea Grant showcases successful research to application approaches

Led by 2019 Knauss Fellow Hollis Jones, a team from the National Sea Grant Office examined case studies from the Sea Grant network to better understand strategies for successful research to application (R2A) projects that address complex environmental problems occurring in a socio-economic context. The authors identified five common facilitating factors that enabled ‘successful’ R2A across all projects: platforms for partnerships, iterative communication, transparent planning, clear examples of R2A, and graduate student involvement. Examples of successful frameworks are published in Frontiers in Marine Science in hopes of encouraging more organizations to engage in the R2A process.

California Sea Grant Delta Science Fellowship supports salmon genomic discovery

This study examined the genomes of Chinook salmon from fall and spring runs, finding that a single genomic region is nearly perfectly associated with spawning migration timing but not with other traits such as maturity and fat reserves, traits long perceived as central to distinct salmon groups. Further, they concluded that associated phenotypes are caused by the migration environment rather than genetics. The authors' finding that a complex migratory phenotype results from a single gene region will facilitate conservation and restoration of this iconic fish. Lead author Neil F. Thompson was supported in his research by the California Sea Grant Delta Science Fellowship.

Researchers identify sea level rise-related flooding threats to Honolulu's infrastructure with support from Hawai‘i Sea Grant

While sea level rise induced flooding is often thought of as water washing onshore, new research from Hawai‘i Sea Grant found that groundwater inundation and storm-drain backflow represent more substantial predicted flood sources in Honolulu. The study simulated flood scenarios under these three mechanisms for Honolulu’s primary urban center and assessed widespread potential impacts on critical infrastructure. The results illustrate the need to develop effective flood management strategies that consider site-specific sources of sea level rise induced flooding.

Study funded by Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium develops new resources for genetic management of red snapper

The red snapper Lutjanus campechanus is an exploited reef fish of major economic importance in the Gulf of Mexico region. With funding from Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, the authors developed the first draft of a reference genome for red snapper that will serve as a framework for the interpretation of genome scans during studies of wild populations and captive breeding programs.

Benefits of salt marsh restoration highlighted in work supported by MIT Sea Grant

Efforts to restore tidal flow to former salt marshes have increased in recent decades in New England. With support from MIT Sea Grant, this study compared plant biomass and carbon dioxide fluxes between restored marshes and natural marshes at four sites. The findings indicate that well-restored salt marshes can result in greater plant biomass and net ecosystem carbon dioxide exchange, which has the potential to enhance rates of carbon sequestration post-restoration.

Study summarizes current knowledge, future directions on microplastics effects in North American fishery species

Microplastics are pollutants of increasing concern, which are pervasive in the environment. Aquatic organisms encounter and ingest microplastics, but there is a paucity of data about those caught and cultured in North America. The authors of this study, which include a North Carolina Sea Grant 2020 Knauss Fellow, Cheyenne Stienbarger, and Oregon Sea Grant-funded Elise Granek, summarize current knowledge, identify data gaps and provide future research directions for addressing microplastics effects in commercially valuable North American fishery species.