The Aim and Accomplishments of the National Science Foundation Sea Grant Program at Texas A&M University
Authors: Calhoun John C. 
Published: October 2008

The National Science Foundation Sea Grant Program was developed in1966 by congress to parallel the land-grant concept for agricultural development. Eight universities, including Texas A&M U., currently hold institutional awards for the development of sea grant programs.

Texas A&M U. has a unique opportunity to develop marine resources in the Texas Gulf Coast area. This region is one of rapid expansion in both population and industry. Fishing, shipping, tourism and recreation, offshore oil and gas operations and other developments vie for positions in the state?s coastal zone. The Sea Grant Program has accepted the challenge for the development of the state's vast marine resource potential.

The university?s diverse activities, ranging from ocean-going vessels to shore-based laboratories exploring fish diseases, from giant models of the Gulf Coast to a fish protein concentrate pilot plant, are being forged into a coordinated program for resource use and development. Within l0 years a major ocean research center, the Moody Marine Institute, will be created on Pelican Island. Through the Sea Grant Program, cooperative endeavors with state and federal agencies, other institutions, industrialists, land owners, fishermen and seafood processors have paved the way for individual projects in the areas of education and training, extension and advisory services and research.

The objective of the University is to develop an education and research program in marine resources to qualify for designation as a Sea Grant College on behalf of the State of Texas and the Gulf region. During the first year's program, 72 professional university staff members and 58 graduate students took part in the Sea Grant activity. In the second year, 36 projects are underway. New courses have been developed for the field of marine resources and new curricula are being planned.

Marine advisory specialists have prepared demonstration ponds for shrimp culture and are working directly with fishermen, landowners, and other users in an advisory capacity. Research projects cover the areas of pollution, coastal engineering, resource management, water and sediment analysis and acoustics, seafood technology, aquaculture and fisheries. Nineteen technical reports, seven professional journal articles, and 11 theses have documented the first year's program. General publications of a nontechnical nature have been distributed to the general public to keep them aware of the programs progress.

INTRODUCTION

Within the past few years, the public has become aware of planet Earth in many ways. The journey into space has made us more aware of what we have at home. Excess stress placed on the environment by increased population, disposal of waste products and demand for raw materials have become daily news. Growing knowledge has produced an era of inquiry which leaves no ground untouched. Advancing technology brings realization that the oceans no longer separate us internationally so much as they link us together.

A major part of this awareness of our earth is directed toward the marine environment.