Delaware Sea Grant

Delaware Sea Grant conducts research in areas ranging from seafood safety to coastal hazards through hands-on research and educational activities, and sharing information on coastal topics with stakeholders. Delaware Sea Grant funds projects for the broad area of Ocean and Environmental Literacy, and more specifically: 1) Healthy Coastal Ecosystems, 2) Sustainable Coastal Development, 3) Safe and Sustainable Seafood Supply, and 4) Hazard Resilience in Coastal Communities.

The 'Hazard Resilience in Coastal Communities' program includes the development of strategies that will help mitigate and adapt to climate change. Specific areas of interest to Delaware Sea Grant include:

• Research aimed at improving forecasting of coastal hazards (e.g., storm flooding and inundation, sea‐level rise) for decision makers and the coastal communities they serve.
• Partnerships to develop education and literacy programs focused on the impacts of climate related changes on coastal communities.
• Programs that help decision makers adopt policies that will reduce risks, manage catastrophic events, and speed recovery.
• Developing and/or making accessible state/regional databases that support hazard related planning.

The National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant) works to create and maintain healthy coastal environments and economies. The Sea Grant network includes 32 programs based at top universities in every coastal and Great Lakes state, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The programs of the Sea Grant network work together to help citizens understand, conserve and better utilize America’s coastal, ocean and Great Lakes resources. One of four national strategic priorities through 2013 is to improve the resilience of coastal communities to hazards, including the effects of climate change.  NOAA Sea Grant plays local and national roles to inform policy and management, help communities prepare for climate impacts, and support economic resilience and opportunity. See the National Sea Grant College Program organization entry for more information.

Phone: (302)831-8083

Sectors:

• Biodiversity and ecosystems
• Coastal
• Emergency preparedness
• Fish and fisheries

Related Organizations:

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant)
• University of Delaware

Related Resources:

• The City of Lewes, Delaware Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Action Plan
• The City of Lewes, Delaware Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Action Plan - Transportation Components