Sea Grant Regional Initiative

Almost 15 years ago, the Regional Marine Research Program (RMRP) was established to set priorities for regional marine and coastal research in support of efforts to safeguard the water quality and ecosystem health of 10 ocean and coastal regions around the U.S. (the Great Lakes was covered under separate legislation). For each of the RMRP regions, research plans were developed by regional committees that involved an array of regional stakeholders and were chaired by Sea Grant Directors. These regional plans serve as useful examples of a well-designed planning process and sources of carefully considered priorities for research toward NOAA's goals. RMRP activities, however, were limited to planning with the exception of the Gulf of Maine where funds were made available to implement the plan that was developed.

The Regional Sea Grant Initiative is intended to provide support to develop regional research and information plans that will complement the national planning efforts by providing a bridge between national and local research and information needs for U.S. ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes areas.

Regional Planning Workshop, May7-8 Agenda with links to Regional and NOAA PATT presentations	Documents of Interest Regional Planning FFO Press Release for 2007 Awards
Map of NOAA Regions (click image for hi-resolution)	Map with Sea Grant Regions (click image for hi-resolution)