NARRAGANSETT, RI – U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today announced a $267,791 federal grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Sea Grant College Program to support projects in Rhode Island that help build resilient coastal communities and economies.  The funding, awarded to Rhode Island Sea Grant, will help the University of Rhode Island (URI) continue its role as a leader in cooperative fisheries and ocean research.

Based at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, Rhode Island Sea Grant is a partnership of the university, the National Sea Grant College Program, NOAA, and the state of Rhode Island.  Rhode Island Sea Grant supports research, outreach, and education programs designed to “foster vibrant coastal communities and marine environments that are resilient in the face of change.”

Rhode Island Sea Grant is one of 33 programs across the country that make up the National Sea Grant College Program network.  URI's program focuses its efforts on coastal protection and sustainable fisheries, and includes a legal program located at Roger Williams University School of Law.

“Rhode Island's coastal habitat and fisheries are an essential part of our culture and economy.  These federal funds will be used to help marine scientists address challenges facing the Rhode Island coast and its communities through research, education, and outreach,” said Reed, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s panel on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, which oversees NOAA funding.  “The University of Rhode Island is a national leader in ocean research and conservation, and the Sea Grant program has been a vital resource in carrying out cooperative research and strengthening our coastal communities.  I am pleased to see this federal funding flowing to URI to continue this important research and protect our oceans."

“As more Americans depend on our nation’s coasts for cultural, economic, energy and recreational opportunities, ensuring the long-term vitality of coastal communities and economies is crucial,” said Leon Cammen, director of NOAA’s National Sea Grant College Program. “These grants support research, planning and outreach projects that will help coastal communities be more resilient to a range of natural hazards, water quality challenges, severe weather, energy needs and the effects of climate change.”

The specific projects in Rhode Island selected to receive federal funding include research into sustainable oyster aquaculture, an important part of the growing Rhode Island food economy, and another project examining the social and ecological factors influencing shoreline hardening in the Northeast.  More information is available on the Sea Grant projects website.

Federal funding for the Sea Grant program is matched by state and private funding.  This round of funding announced today for Rhode Island is part of $15.9 million in grants to support more than 300 projects across the United States.  Through university, state and other partnerships, Sea Grant Programs will supplement the federal funding with an additional $7.9 million in non-federal matching funds, bringing the total investment to more than $23.8 million.  The Rhode Island non-federal matching funds are expected to total $91,154.

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