The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded a grant for more than $2.9 million to Louisiana State University to support research and education in marine sciences. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department.

The grant will fund 22 projects based in Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico. The sponsored projects cover issues such as sustainable aquaculture technology, coastal fisheries, seafood technology, coastal community development, environmental studies and coastal engineering. The grant will also fund the administration and maintenance of the programs as well as an extension and education program for coastal and marine science issues.

“This grant to Louisiana State University provides funding necessary to support and enhance regional initiatives such as coastal and marine research in the Gulf of Mexico,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “NOAA and the Bush Administration are committed to working with the academic community to improve our understanding of 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 goals and programs reflect a commitment to these basic responsibilities of science and service to the nation for the past 33 years.

The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (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.

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NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov