Courtney Announces Nearly $500,000 In Federal Funding To Connecticut Sea Grant

WASHINGTON, DC ---Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) announced that Connecticut Sea Grant (CTSG) has been awarded nearly $470,500 in federal funding from the National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). CTSG is based at the University of Connecticut's Avery Point campus in Groton.

"Connecticut Sea Grant has aided local fishermen, shellfish farmers, and maritime conservation efforts in Long Island sound for fifty years,"said Courtney. "Whether it's jumpstarting a local fishery or connecting local aquaculture producers to local communities, Sea Grant is a vital part of our region's maritime economy. I am very glad that we were able to secure this funding to help CTSG's research and education efforts."

Sylvain De Guise, director of the CTSG College Program, said:"This grant will directly support local researchers who will improve our understanding of key coastal and marine issues in our state, and enable our staff to continue to share objective, science-based information for the benefit of coastal communities, economies and ecosystems. Communities and businesses have come to rely on Sea Grant for issues ranging from supporting fisheries, growing shellfish, keeping ecosystems productive, and keeping coastal communities safe in view of less predictable weather patterns. Sea Grant is even helping the development of new businesses, such as kelp aquaculture. This would not be possible without federal funding."

Sea Grant is a national network comprised of 33 Sea Grant programs based at flagship universities in coastal and Great Lake states throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. TheNational Sea Grant College Program encourages the wise stewardship of our marine resources through research, education, outreach and technology transfer. The Program is focused on making the United States the world leader in marine research and the sustainable development of marine resources.

CTSG is funded principally through the NOAA, with matching funds from the State of Connecticut, through the University of Connecticut. The program has three focuses: research, outreach, and education. Outreach efforts include the CTSG Extension Program, and its Communications Program. The program also has an administrative staff committed to promoting understanding of the Sea Grant mission.

Earlier this year, Courtney and Congressman Lee Zeldin (NY-01) led a bipartisan group of 95 members of theHouse of Representatives in calling on the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies to continue their support for the National Sea Grant College Program for the 2018 Fiscal Year, which is still pending. Today's announcement is the result of bipartisan passage of the 2017 Omnibus this past April, which included robust funding for the Sea Grant program. The members highlighted the Sea Grant program's role in cultivating our nation's aquaculture economy. The full letter text can be foundhere.

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