SEA GRANT ELEVATES STATUS OF UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE PROGRAM

The University of New Hampshire will be recognized as a “top tier” Sea Grant college following an Aug. 20 ceremony to mark the occasion. The National Sea Grant College Program is part of the Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“This new status recognizes the university’s high quality and balanced program of marine research, education and outreach,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D. undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “NOAA looks forward to continuing to work with New Hampshire Sea Grant as it addresses the marine and coastal issues of New Hampshire.”

Until October 2000, New Hampshire had been a part of the Maine/New Hampshire Sea Grant College Program. The separation created two distinct programs and the need for both to reapply for top tier status as a Sea Grant College. Top tier status is based on a demonstrated record of superior performance in marine and coastal issues.

“I want to congratulate New Hampshire Sea Grant on achieving ‘Top-Tier’ status. I know the reviews leading up to this achievement were rigorous,” said Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH). “While here in New Hampshire we have always valued Sea Grant's critical research on everything from ocean management policy to fishing practices to beach erosion control programs, this new status will certainly highlight NH Sea Grant's achievements nationwide.”

“With coastal and marine resources experiencing unprecedented stresses, we welcome another strong partner in the Sea Grant program to help with these issues,” said Ronald Baird, director of the National Sea Grant College Program.

Sea Grant is a federal-university partnership with the mission, mandated by Congress, to foster the sustainable development of the nation’s coastal resources. Through its university-based network, Sea Grant supports research, education and outreach to help balance the conservation of coastal and marine resources with a sustainable economy and environment.

Sea Grant programs address such issues as aquaculture, marine biotechnology, seafood processing, fisheries, water quality and ecology. There are Sea Grant programs in all 30 coastal and Great Lakes states.

The University of New Hampshire was founded in 1866 as the New Hampshire College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts.

The Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through research to better understand weather and climate-related events and to manage wisely our nation's coastal and marine resources.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

Sea Grant: http://www.nsgo.seagrant.org/