NOAA Awards More Than $500,000 To The South Carolina Department Of Natural Resources For Shrimp Research

NOAA AWARDS MORE THAN $500,000 TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR SHRIMP RESEARCH

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration granted $574,580 to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to study shrimp disease and immunity. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The grant will ensure continuation of a project focused on the discovery of immune-associated genes and disease resistance in cultured and native shrimp species. So far, scientists have developed the tools to safely study the complex interactions between the viruses, the environment and the health of the shrimp populations. Using these tools, scientists can better gauge the health of South Carolina's native shrimp populations and manage disease risks.

“Funding from this NOAA grant will allow scientists and managers to respond to infections in shrimp populations from diseases and other environmental stressors,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “This grant allows the state of South Carolina to manage its coastal resources while actively supporting efforts that reinforce NOAA and the Bush Administration’s commitment to the environment.”

Each year, NOAA awards approximately $900 million in grants to members of the academic, scientific and business communities to assist the agency in fulfilling its mission to study the Earth’s natural systems in order to predict environmental change, manage ocean resources, protect life and property, and provide decision makers with reliable scientific information. NOAA’s goals and programs reflect a commitment to these basic responsibilities of science and service to the nation for the past 34 years.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources. To learn more about NOAA, please visit http://www.noaa.gov.

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