Using participatory modeling and citizen science to help blue crab fishermen in South Carolina identify ways to adapt to a changing climate

April 14, 2015

South Carolina Sea Grant

The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, in partnership with the Social and Environmental Research Institute, is working with blue crab fishermen in Beaufort County to determine what effect climate change, namely drought and increased stormwater runoff, has on the fishery. During the summer and fall of 2013, fishermen participated in Vulnerability and Consequences Adaptation Planning Scenarios workshops that helped identify components of the fishery most affected by a changing climate. Crabbers now plan to become involved in monitoring the fishery, including collecting basic environmental data, so that they can work with resources managers to better identify when and where changes occur. From this partnership and improved communication, fishermen, scientists, and managers can work together to develop adaptation strategies that allow them to continue to land a high quality product.

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.