Sens. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and John Kerry (D-Mass.) today introduced a bill to reauthorize, for a tenth time, the National Sea Grant College Program.
A partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and university-based programs, the National Sea Grant College Program provides education, training and technical assistance programs that promote the understanding and utilization of ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources.
The National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008 would authorize $625 million for 2009 through 2014. The bill also would invest in services that integrate scientific research and extension services, and encourage increased collaboration among state Sea Grant programs.
The program has helped to discover means for providing for a safe and sustainable seafood supply, sustainable coastal development and resilient coastal communities, helping coastal states address everything from fisheries and ecosystems to aquaculture.
"Sea Grant has been a great program for Washington state, our universities and our coastal communities. Its emphasis on public education and engagement instills a sense of community ownership and heritage for coastal and marine environments," says Cantwell, chair of the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard. "This bill will further strengthen this already successful program, allowing Sea Grant colleges to continue to grow, collaborate, and serve our coastal communities."
Modeled after the Land Grant College System, Sea Grant was created by the National Sea Grant College Program Act of 1966.
