Sea Grant’s 2006
4th Quarter Highlights
(Archive of SG Highlights)
Sea Grant E-Currents Newsletter now available!MIT and Hawaii Sea Grant bring underwater robots to classrooms: Hawai'i teachers used "Sea Perch," an underwater remote-controlled vehicle made of PVC pipes and hardware store materials to help students probe underwater environments and learn engineering skills. As a result of this Sea Grant training workshop, community college students introduced Sea Perch to high school students this summer.
A new model developed by Sea Grant and partners elucidates connections in marine ecology: A computer model newly developed by researchers who are funded by Sea Grant and partners, combines ocean current simulations and genetic forecasting to help scientists predict animal dispersion patterns and details of the ecology of coral reefs across the Caribbean Sea. The new work enables scientists to field-test such predictions and thereby hone our understanding of how marine larvae disperse in the environment and influence the structure of adult populations. The work appeared in the August 22nd issue of Current Biology.
Sea Grant Installs rain gardens in Vermont to reduce pollutants: With the leadership of Lake Champlain Sea Grant, Vermont Youth Conservation Corps members installed four rain gardens in Winooski in August to reduce the amount of pollutants reaching Morehouse Brook. In 2003, the Environmental Protection Agency declared Morehouse Brook an impaired waterway. The rain garden there will filter the sediment that runs off the ball field and drains directly into the brook.
Sea Grant and partners dedicate industrial icehouse to Cameron Parish: Shell has worked with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board, Louisiana Sea Grant, and the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Foundation to facilitate the donation of an industrial icehouse to serve Cameron Parish. On Saturday (9/23), leaders from around the region who played a part dedicated this critical component and celebrated the re-vitalization and quality of the Louisiana seafood industry.
Sea Grant researcher finds new methods to remove harmful algae toxins: Ohio Sea Grant researcher has discovered an efficient method to remove 95% of harmful microcystins from Lake Erie drinking water, using a combination of powdered activated carbon and ultrafiltration technologies. To remove the toxins,the researcher coupled two removal processes: microcystin first attached to small powdered activated carbon (PAC) particles; and a membrane filter then separated the PAC and microcystin from the water.
Sea Grant researchers help oyster processors use new technology: Eating raw oysters is getting safer, thanks to a new practice called post-harvest processing, or PHP, that virtually eliminates harmful Vibrio vulnificus bacteria from the shellfish. With funding from Sea Grant and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, researchers have developed sensory profiles to better direct fine-tuning of PHP methods to assure that the texture, color and flavor of treated oysters are similar to the original characteristics of fresh oysters. The oyster sensory team has developed the nation’s first sensory standards for raw oyster products.
Sea Grant service helps NC increase beach access points: In 2004, the state Division of Coastal Management, N.C. Sea Grant, and the Shore and Beach Preservation Association counted beach access points controlled by local governments, mapping them with a satellite system. They tallied 550 public access points, more than 6,200 parking spaces at lots and street ends, and 43 restroom facilities along the state's ocean beaches. Two years later, there are now even more beach access points.
Extension agent helps in the development of shrimp certification program: With the help of Sea Grant extension, the University of Florida and other academic institutions are developing a new training program for its quality-control inspectors for the South Carolina-based Wild American Shrimp Inc, or WASI. This is part of an effort to establish a collective brand identity for WASI-affiliated shrimp fishermen, processors and wholesalers in eight states. The organization was founded to help the industry rebound from problems with hurricanes, rising fuel costs and slumping demand. Officials hope that by educating consumers they can persuade seafood lovers to select WASI-certified products at grocery stores and restaurants.
Sea Grant trains volunteer divers to protect local waters: A new program developed by NH Sea Grant Extension trained volunteer divers to identify and track invasive marine species. Stalk tunicates or sea squirts called Styela clava are causing a real problem for boaters and commercial fisherman because it globs onto everything, like mooring lines and mussel aquaculture rigging. This training workshop will teach divers to identify the most likely species to invade New Hampshire waters. If the divers see a species from the "Most Wanted" list, they are instructed to report their observations online to N.H. Sea Grant, which will in turn contact N.H. Fish and Game.
Sea Grant teach teenagers to document storm drain locations: With help from Sea Grant extension, a group of high-school students from across Sussex County (DE) documented the storm drains' latitude and longitude coordinates and noted their sea level readings by using Global Positioning System devices. This information could eventually enhance maps of local pipelines, drains and outfalls. Placed on a website, city officials could locate clogged drains and pollution sources, while residents could see where the drains from their homes lead. The idea was to involve the kids to expose them to some real tools, and hopefully give them a sense of purpose. The students' efforts may make up part of the long-term care of local natural resources.
NOAA Science Camp: Where students experience the world of scientists: In July, seventh and eighth graders attended the 4th Annual NOAA Science Camp at the NOAA Western Regional Center campus in Seattle, Washington. Sponsored by NOAA, Washington Sea Grant, and the University of Washington’s Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean (JISAO), the camp was designed to give students hands-on experience and an inside-look at science in the real world.
Making sure that Alaska fishing is around for future generations: Coastal communities face an uncertain future as fisheries are rationalized, privatized, restructured and competing in global markets. A September conference organized by Sea Grant extension agent, Paula Cullenberg offered strategies to make sure fishing is maintained as a vibrant cultural and economic sector throughout Alaska. The purpose was to bring together coastal residents in the state who are impacted by the fishing industry one way or the other – fishermen, processors, related businesses, municipal governments, educators – anyone involved in the coastal communities.
Louisiana Sea Grant wins crisis communications award: The Louisiana Sea Grant’s communications office won the 2006 APEX Award of Excellence for One-of-a-Kind Crisis and Emergency Communications for LSGCP’s Louisiana Hurricane Recovery Resources Web Site: HTTP://www.laseagrant.org/hurricane
Stevens, N.J. Sea Grant to host coastal management workshop: A N.J. Sea Grant Stakeholders workshop, "Improved Coastal Management, Preparedness and Response Through Real-Time Weather and Ocean Observations," was held on July 27, 2006. The workshop was designed to elicit feedback on desired real-time data products from the atmospheric and coastal ocean observing systems deployed in New Jersey. The workshop discussed the potential benefits of the use of real-time ocean and weather observations for improved coastal management, preparedness and response.
Sea Grant confirms first citing of Dungeness Crab in Atlantic: The first citing of a Dungeness crab in the Atlantic Ocean has been confirmed by researchers at The MIT Sea Grant College Program and the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center. The crab, common on North America's West Coast, was caught off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts in late July by Lou Williams. This is the first report of a Dungeness crab in the Atlantic Ocean. The size of the crab suggests it most likely is not a new invasive species, but rather originated at a seafood market or escaped during the transport of seafood.
Sea Grant launches multiagency effort to rebuild Kodiak red king crab stocks: Scientists say 16 egg-bearing female crab will serve as brood stock in a research project they hope will help rebuild Alaska's Kodiak red king crab fishery. If it proves successful researchers would seek state permits to conduct a pilot release of juvenile crab to learn whether crab cultured in captivity can survive in the wild. The Alaska King Crab Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project is a cooperative effort of Alaska Sea Grant, the Alutiiq Pride Shellfish Hatchery, NOAA Fisheries, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences.
100,000 Secured for Public Education and Eco-tourism Project focused on Birds: The International Wildlife Refuge Alliance and Michigan Sea Grant are pleased to announce that a $100,000 grant has been awarded from the “Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc. Pathways to Nature® Program”, a special program of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation created in partnership with Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc. The program is designed to bring people and nature together through the creation and maintenance of trails, boardwalks, wildlife-viewing platforms, and nature center exhibits. This is significant because it not only improves the quality of life, but enhances tourism – the No. 2 economy – and helps attract and retain employees for businesses.
American Samoa Students Conduct Environmental and Cultural Exchange: Students from American Samoa Community College were among 200 participants from 36 countries who traveled to the island of Maui to participate in the “Islands of the World IX” conference, held on July 31 - August 2, 2006. The conference stressed environmental and cultural exchange and inspired discussion and debate on issues ranging from culture and identity to governance, population health, and environment in the context of a globalizing world. Dr. Robert Howerton, Hawai‘i Sea Grant’s Aquaculture Extension Specialist, hosted the students while they were on Maui, and also partnered with other organizations to provide the students with a unique opportunity to study about other island ecosystems.
Sea Grant Extension Agent appointed to National Task Force: North Carolina--Spencer Rogers, North Carolina Sea Grant coastal construction and erosion specialist, has been appointed to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) national task force. Roger wills serve a three-year term on the AASHTO task force that will provide guidelines for safe bridge construction for North Carolina and the rest of the country. Sea Grant helps connect birders with businesses, communities and other attractions: The North Carolina Birding Trail will be a group of bird watching sites across the state, which has been divided into three sections - the coastal plain, piedmont and mountains. Part of the goal of the trail is to market bird watching sites across the state in hopes of connecting birders with businesses, communities and other attractions.
Rhode Island Sea Grant Sponsors Coastweeks: Coastweeks is an annual celebration dedicated to fostering awareness, understanding, and improved management of the coast. Coastweeks in Rhode Island is sponsored by the R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council and Rhode Island Sea Grant. This year’s calendar of events includes over 50 activities for every taste and pace¬-from book discussions, film showings, and a watercolor workshop to kayaking, canoeing, a shoreline biathlon, and a trip on a commercial fishing trawler. Events take place this year from September 13 to October 28.
Sea Grant researchers collect data about Nantucket to measure water quality: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution biologist Scott Gallager and colleagues, who are supported by Sea Grant have installed a package of sensors on the 235-foot freight ferry Katama to measure water quality and to photograph plankton as the ferry crisscrosses the western side of Nantucket Sound year-round, several times daily. The availability of plankton can make the difference between healthy and undernourished stocks of commercial finfish and shellfish. Storms, nutrient runoff from coastal development, and the warming of coastal ocean waters could drastically alter the types of plankton that flourish in Nantucket Sound, and therefore the quantity and quality of food for fish, marine mammals, and ultimately people.
Sea Grant helps collect, tag and rescue seabirds: Alaska Sea Grant’s Reid Brewer of the Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program is on the scene in Unalaska, helping to collect, tag and recover carcasses of what are at this time more than 1,500 seabirds that have washed ashore. He worked closely with USFWS, the lead agency on the scene. The cause of the die-off has not been determined. A previous seabird die-off in 1997 was linked to a Coccolithophorid Bloom.
Sea Grant graduate student’s research may indicate where Long Island’s troubled clam populations are most vulnerable: With funding from the New York Sea Grant Program, Marianne McNamara, a graduate student at Stony Brook University, has come to record the abundance of sea walnuts, or comb jellies as they're commonly known - small marine animals that look like crystal walnuts drifting through the water. Understanding the habitat, abundance and diet of comb jellies may help researchers learn whether the predators are especially fond of clam larvae. If so, the information may indicate where Long Island's troubled clam populations are most vulnerable and help groups such as The Nature Conservancy locate their network of spawning clam sanctuaries.
Sea Grant extension agent helps assess Lebanon oil spill: Rick Steiner, conservation specialist with the Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program, recently returned from a two-week trip to Lebanon, where he helped the Lebanese government assess the environmental damage caused by a massive oil spill in the region. Upon his return to Alaska, Steiner spoke with the San Francisco Bay Independent Media Center.
Sea Grant extension agent and volunteers hope to improve Pleasant Bay’s water quality: In September, a WHOI Sea Grant Extension Agent led volunteers to spread more than a million oysters into 160 specially designed Australian oyster-growing trays. This serious project is designed to do more than raise plump oysters in an Orleans saltwater pond; they also want to try to see if the shellfish can have a notable effect on water quality. Excess nitrogen has been seeping into Pleasant Bay, especially the small isolated ponds and coves at the bay’s far end. That leads to algae blooms, cloudy water and the eventual smothering of most sea life.
Sea Grant’s Coastal Roots program is featured in film: Louisiana Sea Grant’s Coastal Roots program is featured in a new Audubon Nature Institute/MacGillivary Freeman Films production titled Hurricane on the Bayou. The educational, IMAX film is geared toward children in grades 4 and higher. Coastal Roots is a coastal restoration and nursery program that helps restore critical Gulf of Mexico coastal habitats, helps students develop a sense of stewardship towards wetlands restoration, and informs the public of coastal restoration needs.
Louisiana Sea Grant and Cooperative Extension began seeking volunteers this summer for their Katrina Agricultural and Coastal Resources Experience (KARE): This program is designed to bring in, house, and equip volunteers to help rebuild the natural resources, shrimp industry, and agricultural industry in and around New Orleans. The projects vary from mosquito control with Gambusia fish and repairing greenhouses to harvesting citrus and helping local families and businesses get their operations back into working order.
5,500 volunteers cleaned up 250 sites statewide: About 5,500 volunteers cleaned up 250 sites statewide Saturday (9/16) in the annual Beach Sweep, sponsored by the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and the Department of Natural Resources.
Filmmaker captures spirit of commercial fishermen: Filmmaker, Matt Barr was struck by the strong sense of community in the small fishing village on the New River in Onslow County. Barr's documentary is called “Wild Caught: The Life and Struggles of an American Fishing Town.” “Wild Caught” was funded by grants from North Carolina Sea Grant, the North Carolina Arts Council, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Three states join in effort to improve ocean health: The governors of Oregon, Washington and California announced an agreement to work together to improve Pacific ocean health, saying "oceans should be managed on an ecosystem level." Their actions include a commitment to work with Sea Grant on regional planning - see above.
Scientists to Study Crab Migration: Elizabeth North is leading a Sea Grant Regional Project (with funding from MD, DE, and VA Sea Grant Programs) to study how currents, salinity and nutrient affect the movement of billions of drifting blue crab larvae. North's team spent a week at sea aboard the University of Delaware's new $19.4 million research vessel, the Hugh R. Sharp in September. The team spent six-days at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay and two days about 10 miles offshore from the University of Delaware 's marine studies center in Lewes, where the ship is based. Work from this project was picked up by the Washington Post and Baltimore Sun.
Texas-led team’s dietary supplement study receives national marine aquaculture award: A research project led by a Texas A&M University professor to study how dietary supplements might enhance the growth and health of red drum and Atlantic salmon was among those selected under a nationwide program of $3.6 million in grants for sustainable marine aquaculture demonstration projects and research. More
Texas marinas participating in Clean Marina Program: Marinas in Texas are demonstrating their commitment to keeping Texas waterways clean as their participation in the Clean Texas Marina Program, coordinated by Sea Grant, reaches 100. Twenty-eight percent of the state’s 356 inland and coastal marinas are participating, with 59 certified as Clean Texas Marinas and another 41 pledging to do their part to keep Texas waterways free of harmful chemicals, excess nutrients and debris as they prepare for certification. The participants include municipal and privately owned marinas.
Where will our fish come from? Lecture to capture future fish supply: Fish consumption is on the rise as people learn more and more about the health benefits of eating seafood. But some commercially wild-caught stocks are already over-fished, and traditional commercial fishing can't meet our ever-increasing demand now, let alone in the future. So what's being done to harvest stocks in a more sustainable manner? Can aquacultured stocks fill the demand in the interim and/or long term? David Beutel from Rhode Island Sea Grant will give a lively discussion on "Fish for the Future: Where Will Our Fish Come From?" on October 5, 2006 as part of the Coastweeks Celebration.
Information from Aleutian Life Forum held in August already pays off in real scenario: Three weeks after the Aleutian Life Forum, thousands of dead short-tailed shearwaters washed up on the beaches of Unalaska. Without knowing the cause, community members rallied to better understand what had happened. At the Aleutian Life Forum, Julia Parrish, with the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST), gave a talk about monitoring beaches, including looking for, measuring, and tagging stranded birds. Unalaska volunteers hit the beaches with the COASST protocol in hand and have been monitoring beaches every four days since. Brewer hopes to integrate this protocol on a once-a-month basis after the shearwaters disappear, and there is a big potential to integrate other protocols that were discussed at ALF as well.
Books to Hooper Bay: Alaska Sea Grant sent 30 books to the Hooper Bay Book Days project, to replenish books that were lost in a village fire that burned the school in August. Among the books were field guides, Ocean Treasure, Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands, and Discovering Alaska Salmon.
The Growing Town of Wells Seeks Input on Preserving Town Character and Natural Assets: In order to find ways to accommodate growth without losing the very character that draws people to Wells in the first place, the town is partnering with Maine Sea Grant, Wells Reserve, U.S. EPA and others to hold a community design workshop. The design workshop, held on Sept 18, 19, 20 in Wells, provided an opportunity for Wells citizens and visitors to share their ideas for meeting the needs of a growing population while retaining the town’s unique assets. Wells’ project was selected from a competitive pool of more than 40 applicants.
Sea Grant’s James Fawcett makes recommendations to Port Community Advisory Committee: The study, presented to commissioners suggested giving port officials a stronger role in setting the citizens panel agenda, imposing a three-year term limit on members and streamlining its subcommittee process. James Fawcett of the Sea Grant Program developed the analysis, interviewing 33 people -- both PCAC members and community leaders -- for the effort. The port now will take Fawcett's recommendations and come up with a draft of its own ideas that will then be presented and debated at public meetings.
Study Shows Natural Chinook in the Millions in NY’s Salmon River: Fisheries managers are excited but cautious about the finding that five to ten million Chinook salmon were naturally reproduced in the Salmon River in 2005. This five million- fish finding comes from a New York Sea Grant-funded project.
First-Ever Great Lakes-Wide Dunes Conference Set for October 3-4: For the first time, researchers, educators and resource managers will gather from eight states and Ontario, Canada, to discuss the systemwide needs of the Great Lakes dunes system.
Delaware Sea Grant’s Coast Day 2006: Coast Day has won state and national awards for helping people learn more about our seas and shores. Each year, this unique event attracts crowds of 10,000 visitors and more.
Perfect weed' may threaten our lakes: Hydrilla - which could have a profound ecological and economic effect on coastal and inland waters - has been found in northern Indiana, less than an hour's drive from Michigan. Michigan Sea Grant and its partners are asking boaters, anglers, swimmers and waterfront property owners to look for hydrilla in lakes, ponds and streams.
Sea Grant and EPA help Wells, ME community: The Wells Gateway Project, which looks at design options for the Route 1 & 109 corridor, completed three days of meetings and discussion last week. The meetings appear to have gotten a planning process for that area off to a positive start. The project was managed Kristen Whiting-Grant from Maine Sea Grant program and other local consultants. Seventy-four people participated over the three days, and about 20 percent of them attended more than one part of the program.
Fifth graders' 24-inch catch made in trawl net on James: A rare Atlantic sturgeon was the catch of the day this week during a field trip and the catch of a lifetime for the fifth-graders who hauled it in. For the past two years, Chris Hager from VA Sea Grant has been working with commercial fishermen in Virginia to catch, tag and release the fish. He is trying to locate sturgeon spawning grounds in the James by following the track of radio-tagged fish, which he released last spring.
Local Students Getting Their Feet Wet in Science: The NY-NJ Harbor Estuary Program will teach 45 local students (grades 8-12) about the science of estuaries, while broadcasting the demonstration to thousands of students nationwide over the Internet. The initiative is one of four EstuaryLive Internet “field trips” taking place across the country. Students can submit questions via computer, many of which will be answered during the live broadcast. (wwww.estuaries.gov/participate.html)
