March 11, 2024
The National Sea Grant College Program is a federal-state-university partnership with 34 programs across the nation, including the Wisconsin program.
Because federal dollars contribute to our ability to meet the needs of Wisconsin’s coastal communities, and in service to the Great Lakes ecosystem as a whole, we pay attention to funding levels. For the federal fiscal year of 2024, the National Sea Grant College Program will be funded at $80 million, with an additional $14.1 million for aquaculture.
Wisconsin Sea Grant can demonstrate over and over the merit of its efforts and how it puts those dollars to good use. There are numbers: From 2018 to 2020, Wisconsin Sea Grant received $4.1 million in core federal dollars that were matched by $2 million in state investment. That leveraged investments of $4.5 million in additional state, federal and outside funding.
Currently, those federal funds are supporting 11 new Wisconsin Sea Grant research projects, an education project and dozens of outreach efforts happening from a base on seven Wisconsin campuses. Initiatives include addressing the “forever” chemicals PFAS, research and outreach about marine debris and the transfer of skills and knowledge to the state’s growing $21 million-aquaculture industry.
We are deeply grateful for the confidence Congress has shown in Sea Grant’s promise and delivery, particularly in the areas of resiliency, emerging contaminants, marine debris and addressing the needs of underserved communities.
Finally, and just as importantly, we are deeply grateful to those we serve, along with partners, collaborators and friends who offer an outpouring of support for our work. You know full well that Wisconsin Sea Grant funds lakes Michigan and Superior research, and the application of the research to ensure the sustainable use of these crown jewels that underpin the quality of life and economy of our state.
If you would like to make a comment to members of Congress regarding the value of Sea Grant, you can find your House of Representatives member at house.gov/representatives/find. Find your senators at senate.gov.
And to learn more about our current projects and impacts, check out this fact sheet.
Thank you,
Christy Remucal
Interim Director, Wisconsin Sea Grant