A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has introduced legislation to reauthorize the National Sea Grant College Program, a federal-university partnership that supports coastal communities and marine economies across the United States. The bill was introduced by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), and Dan Sullivan (R-AK).
The Sea Grant program is a collaboration between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and 34 university-based programs in every coastal and Great Lakes state, as well as Puerto Rico and Guam. In 2023, the program helped restore and protect nearly 16 million acres of marine habitat and generated $828 million in economic benefits.
Senator Cantwell emphasized the program’s impact on Washington State: "The Sea Grant College Program is a smart, cost-effective way to protect our coastal communities while supporting fishermen, shellfish growers, and maritime jobs,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Last year, Washington Sea Grant generated over $60 million in economic benefits to the State of Washington, nearly 20 times the federal investment. This bipartisan bill will help ensure that Sea Grant programs can continue to support coastal economies in communities across America.”
Senator Wicker highlighted the importance of Sea Grant programs for Mississippi: “Sea Grant programs help us maintain our flourishing coastal environment and our Blue Economy. The Sea Grant Reauthorization Act would assist universities and local governments in providing more accurate and timely updates during severe weather and flooding events. This legislation would also support Mississippi’s oyster aquaculture industry, which has thrived because of the previously administered grants. Mississippi communities benefit greatly from these programs, which help improve ecological health, boost commercial activity, and save lives,” said Sen. Wicker.
Senator Blunt Rochester spoke about her experience with the program in Delaware: “For years, the Sea Grant Program has been transformative for communities across our nation,” said Sen. Blunt Rochester. “Just a few months ago, I visited Laurel in my home state of Delaware and was blown away by how the program is empowering the folks there to dream big for the future of the Broad Creek waterfront. Protecting the Sea Grant Program has been a top priority for me as a member of the Senate Commerce Committee and I am encouraged by its strong bipartisan support. I am eager to work with my colleagues, including those across the aisle, to get this bill done and the Sea Grant Program reauthorized.”
Senator Sullivan discussed Alaska’s long-standing involvement: “Alaska’s long-time partnership with the National Sea Grant program has been important for our coastal communities and marine economy,” said Sen. Sullivan. “For over 50 years, Alaska Sea Grant, in collaboration with NOAA and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, has supported our fisheries, strengthened our seafood sector, and helped ensure the next generation of marine scientists and policy leaders get the resources they need. I want to thank my colleagues for supporting this program to sustain coastal communities, provide cutting edge research, and foster economic growth—not just in Alaska, but across the nation.”
The National Sea Grant College Program received $94 million in federal funding last year; this investment led to significant economic returns nationwide through job creation—over 22,000 jobs—and business support—nearly 1,500 businesses benefited from its activities.
In Washington State alone from 2018 to 2023, Sea Grant created approximately 1,500 jobs while generating $190 million in economic impact.
Kate Litle, interim director of Washington Sea Grant commented: “The Sea Grant Program has had a long history of delivering results for both the communities that they serve and the country as a whole. We are pleased to see that it continues to receive strong bipartisan Congressional backing. We are so thankful for Sen. Cantwell for her continued and steadfast support of the program.”
LaDon Swann from Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium added: “I thank the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, as well as Senators Cantwell and Wicker, for introducing the bill to reauthorize the National Sea Grant College Program. Sea Grant is deeply rooted in coastal, Great Lakes, and island communities across the country. This reauthorization will ensure we can continue delivering science, education, and engagement programs that support sustainable fisheries, resilient coastal economies, habitat restoration, hazard preparedness, and workforce development for the future.”
More information about recent impacts can be found on NOAA's website at https://seagrant.noaa.gov/Our-Work/Impacts/.
The full text of this proposed legislation is available at https://www.commerce.senate.gov/services/files/SEA-GRANT-REAUTHORIZATION-BILL-TEXT.pdf.
