Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Michelle Klein

NOAA scientists, a student, and a teacher participating in the NOAA Teacher At Sea Program kicked off a series of surveys supporting the Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species.

“I feel really lucky to have been involved with this program for the last 15 years. This fantastic time series has helped us provide accurate and precise abundance and trends for many of our region’s protected species, interpret their status, and provide data needed for ocean developers and other ocean users,” said Debi Palka, the program’s principal investigator and chief scientist for the shipboard surveys. “Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act, our mission is to recover protected marine species while allowing economic growth, recreational opportunities, and offshore marine development in our region. Our program meets those needs. Very few science organizations are able to do this kind of long-term data collection throughout the U.S. Atlantic Ocean.”

The team conducted marine mammal, sea turtle, seabird, and ecosystem surveys aboard a NOAA vessel and plane between January 6 and February 21. Their surveys ran from Massachusetts to North Carolina, inshore to the Exclusive Economic Zone. This winter survey is particularly important because there’s limited winter data on these species, especially in offshore waters.

The shipboard survey aboard NOAA Ship Pisces was an ecosystem survey focused on multiple species. It collected trophic-level data on marine mammals, sea turtles, seabirds, large fish, marine plankton, and oceanographic conditions. This work was split among four teams:

• Seabird team
• “Big-eye” sighting team for cetaceans
• Passive acoustics team
• Oceanography team.

Read more here.

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Delaware today released its Delaware Bayshore Coastal Resilience Roadmap, which outlines strategies for residents, conservation practitioners and agencies to implement in order to support a more sustainable future for the First State’s coastal habitats and communities. As the lowest mean-lying state in the U.S., Delaware is also experiencing some of the highest rates of land sinkage along the Atlantic Coast. On the other hand, previous studies have identified the Bayshore as one of five sites within the northeast U.S. with the highest potential for coastal resilience, which is the degree to which an ecosystem can naturally absorb and adapt to these impacts. Read more here.

North Carolina – Environmental Researchers Use Drones to Map Marshes

This past summer, researchers from the Carolina Drone Lab — a collaborative research unit within the UNC Institute for the Environment — visited four marsh sites along the Currituck Sound as part of a study on the applications of drone technologies for coastal resilience and habitat monitoring. Nearly 72 acres of marshes in Currituck County are lost every year due to the combined effects of erosion and sea-level rise. Satellite imagery can show the overall trajectories of marsh erosion and movement, but often with poor resolution and incorrect scales. This is where the Carolina Drone Lab comes in. By stitching together over 1,000 super-high resolution drone photos, Walton and his team can create an image of the marsh with centimeter accuracy. Read more here.

Black Mangroves are a fascinating keystone species of saltwater wetlands here in the coastal tip of Texas, and they’re on the march. Because winters along the Gulf Coast have, overall, been consistently warmer in the past two decades, Black Mangroves are now growing much taller and are spreading northward up the coast. Mangroves filter out pollutants and purify the water, bearing the nickname “kidneys of the coast,” and their roots and pneumatophores hold coastline sediments in place, protecting them from high energy waves and storm surge erosion. But Black Mangroves aren’t simply advancing into unoccupied territory. A complex salt marsh ecosystem already exists in Texas bays and estuaries, and as Black Mangroves advance northward they are displacing these species. Read more here.

Saildrone Begins First Unmanned Survey of Florida’s Coastal Waters

At 2,170 kilometers long, Florida’s coastline is second only to Alaska among US states. However, many parts of the coast remain unsurveyed, and existing nautical charts rely on outdated and low-resolution data. The Florida Seafloor Mapping Initiative (FSMI) aims to fix that by collecting a comprehensive high-resolution seafloor data set of Florida’s coastal waters within the continental shelf by 2027. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is managing the project, using $100 million in state funds to collect the data and create a public portal for the new imagery and information. Saildrone is contributing to this effort by deploying two 10-meter Saildrone Voyager unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) from its facility in St. Petersburg, FL. Saildrone will map the Middle Grounds, a 2,817-square-kilometer area of the seafloor in the Gulf of America approximately 130 kilometers northwest of St. Petersburg. Primarily powered by wind for propulsion and solar energy for onboard sensors, Saildrone Voyager USVs can stay on mission for months at a time, crisscrossing the area of operation to collect vital high-resolution seafloor data. Read more here.

Although the idea of a giant goldfish might sound cool, it’s not actually good news. The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) who found it said that by someone releasing their pet into the wild they had “created an invasive problem that can last decades”. It added: “Goldfish grow massive in the wild, where they can turn lakes and waterways into murky messes, steal food from native fish, and wreck water quality.” A well as upsetting delicate ecosystems, which harms native fish and plant life, goldfish in the wild can also carry harmful parasites and diseases that infect native fish. Read more here.

Muskigum Watershed Conservancy District Awards $1.3 Million for Watershed Projects in Ohio

The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) is celebrating the 15th anniversary of its Partners in Watershed Management (PWM) grants program by awarding more than $1.3 million to 11 projects across Eastern Ohio, according to an announcement. The grant recipients include a variety of organizations, each with a unique project aimed at enhancing the watershed. For example, the Ashland County Park District received $194,000 to acquire 58.4 acres of riverbank habitat to protect native wildlife and historic Native American sites. The Buckeye Lake for Tomorrow organization was awarded $33,721 to expand water quality monitoring in canals and inlets, while the Carroll Soil and Water Conservation District received $21,850 for green infrastructure improvements. Read more here.

Harmful algae blooming off the coast of Southern California has poisoned scores of California sea lions and common dolphins that are stranding in large numbers on area beaches. West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network partners are reporting upwards of 100 calls a day reporting sea lions and dolphins affected by the algal toxin, domoic acid. Some animals experience seizures on the beach, or may appear to bob their head, while others have died. “We are having to do triage on the beach as we try to identify those animals where we have the greatest chance of making a difference,” said John Warner, chief executive officer of the Marine Mammal Care Center in Los Angeles. Wind-driven upwelling of deep ocean water provides nutrients that fuel California’s rich marine ecosystem. That same upwelling can also feed rapid growth of the algae and the toxin it produces. Read more here.

Tiny Sea Slug Could Have Big Impact on Coastal Conservation Efforts

New research from Chapman University shows that a tiny marine mollusk native to the U.S. West Coast may hold the key to more effective coastal restoration. The study, “Variation in thermal tolerance plasticity and the costs of heat exposure in the estuarine sea hare, Phyllaplysia taylori,” published in Ecosphere, reveals that this small sea slug is both remarkably heat-tolerant and genetically diverse across its wide range—key traits that make it an ideal partner for climate-resilient coastal restoration. Despite their small footprint, seagrass ecosystems provide outsized environmental benefits—serving as essential nurseries for commercial fish species, storing significant amounts of coastal carbon, protecting shorelines from waves, and helping to buffer against ocean acidification. The sea hares act as natural vacuum cleaners in these vital ecosystems, consuming problematic algae (epiphytes) that grow on seagrass blades. This cleaning service is becoming increasingly important as warming waters accelerate algal growth, which can smother seagrass and inhibit photosynthesis. Read more here.

The Association of State Floodplain Managers and the Coastal States Organization want to hear from coastal and floodplain management practitioners about how we can better provide technical assistance to communities looking to implement higher standards for stewardship of floodplains. Please share this request out through your networks to local practitioners. If you would like to contribute, please complete the 5-minute questionnaire at this link – the deadline has been extended to the day April 18, 2025: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J69LYR7. If you would like additional information or to be involved, please reach out to the project team at allie@floods.org.

[NEW] NOAA Photo Contest: Coastal Management in Action

From balancing development with natural areas to protecting economic powerhouses, coastal management keeps our coasts thriving. For the ninth annual coastal management photo contest, we want to see your photos of coastal management in action. Show us your natural infrastructure projects, beautiful beaches you work to protect, working waterfronts, and more! Find inspiration from the list of nine categories. Submit photos to the ninth Coastal Management photo contest. Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges and will be featured on our social media during the month of May. Submit your photos by May 2, 2025. Learn more here.

[NEW] 2025 National Coastal Resilience Fund RFP Now Open

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), Occidental, and Shell is now soliciting Pre-Proposals for the 2025 National Coastal Resilience Fund. NFWF will award grants to create and/or restore natural systems in order to increase protection for communities from coastal hazards, such as storms, sea- and lake-level changes, inundation, and coastal erosion, while improving habitats for fish and wildlife species. NCRF program priorities include: nature-based solutions, community risk reduction benefits, fish and wildlife benefits, community impact and engagement, and transferability and sustainability. Pre-proposals are due May 6th. The Request for Proposals is available here.

[NEW] Applications Now Being Accepted from Future Leaders for Empire State Fellows Program

Applications are now being accepted for the Empire State Fellows Program, a full-time, two-year leadership training program that prepares the next generation of talented professionals for careers as New York State policymakers. New Yorkers interested in the 2026-2028 class of this prestigious program should apply by the deadline of June 1, 2025. The incoming class of Empire State Fellows will serve from January 15, 2026, and receive an annual salary of $90,000, plus a generous benefits package. Apply here.

Manoomin Stewardship Guide- We All Live Together Now Available for 2025

The Michigan Wild Rice Initiative is a collaboration between the twelve federally recognized Anishinaabe nations that share geography with the state of Michigan and several Michigan state agencies. Since 2017 this group of managers and specialists has worked together to protect, preserve and restore Manoomin and its culture for the benefit of current and future generations. As part of this work, they released We all live together in a good way with Manoomin: Stewardship Guide in 2025. This document is different from similar documents because it includes ways of conveying important information through traditional stories and Anishinaabe-centered language. It prioritizes an Anishinaabe perspective because they are the original people to enjoy relationship with Manoomin. Learn more here.

Aquaculture Regulation in the Great Lakes

As one of the Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative (GLAC) 2.0 partners, the National Sea Grant Law Center completed a report on aquaculture laws, regulations, and policies for each of the Great Lakes states. The summary report of research findings will help enhance understanding of the legal framework governing aquaculture in the Great Lakes. Read the report here.

Student Writing Competition: Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Law and Policy

The Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School, together with New York Sea Grant, is pleased to announce a writing competition for law students interested in writing on legal and policy issues associated with marine carbon dioxide removal. The competition is being held in connection with a one-day symposium on the topic “Navigating Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal: From Science to Regulation” which will be co-hosted by the Sabin Center and New York Sea Grant in September 2025. The winning article will be published in a special issue of the Sea Grant Law & Policy Journal, an online, scholarly publication of the National Sea Grant Law Center that will accompany the symposium. The winning author will also be invited to attend the symposium in New York to present their work. The top two pieces will each receive a cash prize of $500. The dealine is June 15, 2025. Learn more here.

Funding Opportunities

Nearly all federal grant opportunities are being re-evaluated and updated – awards using IRA and BIL funds are getting extra scrutiny. NOFOs are being removed, replaced, and updated. Be aware the opportunities posted below may be de-listed when you read this.

Funding Opportunity: FY2025 Young Fishermen’s Career Development Projects

National Sea Grant Office (NSGO) anticipates approximately $1,000,000 in FY2025 federal funds will be available to eligible applicants to support 2-3 projects that will develop and execute local, regional and national programs, workshops and services to enable fishermen to enter career paths and make a living supplying seafood from our oceans, coasts and Great Lakes. Applications are due April 23, 2025. Learn more here.

Funding Opportunity: Environmental Literacy for Community Resilience in the Gulf

NOAA’s Environmental Literacy Program is partnering with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program (GRP) to enhance community resilience and increase the environmental literacy of community members across the U.S. Gulf States (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida) through place-based education. With NOAA’s support, GRP is offering a funding opportunity titled Environmental Literacy for Community Resilience for projects that educate community members on local environmental challenges, engage learners in solutions-oriented activities, and empower participants to engage in them. A total of $4M is available for this funding opportunity. Applicants must request between $100,000 and $750,000 for projects, commensurate with the scope of work, that are between 12 and 36 months in duration. Applications are due May 21, 2025. Learn more here.

Funding Opportunity: Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund

On Jan. 14, 2025, FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance Division published the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund FY25 NOFO. The opportunity provides $178 million in grant funding, the largest available in a single fiscal year yet for this program. Funding is available for capitalization grants for states, territories, eligible Tribal Nations, and D.C. to administer revolving loan funds that provide low-interest loans to local governments to reduce their vulnerability to disasters, foster greater resilience, and reduce disaster impacts. Eligible entities may apply on a rolling basis through the end of FY25 (September 30, 2025) on Grants.gov. Summary of changes available here.

Funding Opportunity: WaterSMART Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects for FY 2025 and 2026

The Department of the Interior invites all Tribal and State governments in the Western United States, as well as Nonprofits in partnerships with governments in this region, to apply for grants through the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project Funding, totaling $95 million in awards. AERP provides a framework for Federal leadership and assistance to restore and protect aquatic ecosystems in support of the Department’s priorities to study, design and construct aquatic ecosystem restoration projects that are collaboratively developed, have widespread regional benefits, and result in an improvement to the health of fisheries, wildlife, and aquatic habitat through restoration or improved fish passage. Applications are due April 15, 2025. Learn more here.

Fiscal Year 2024 BRIC Notice of Funding Opportunity

On January 6, 2025, FEMA published the Fiscal Year 2024 BRIC Notice of Funding Opportunity, totaling $750 million in available funding. There is a $150 million funding cap for each applicant. These funds will help state, local, Tribal and territorial governments address high-level future risks to natural disasters, foster greater community resilience and reduce disaster suffering. Applications will be accepted from January 6 – April 18, 2025 at 3pm ET on grants.gov. Subapplicants must contact their state, territory, or Tribal application agency to determine internal deadlines. View the fact sheet for this grant here.

Fiscal Year 2024 FMA Notice of Funding Opportunity

On January 6, 2025, FEMA published the Fiscal Year 2024 FMA Notice of Funding Opportunity, totaling $600 million. These funds will help to reduce the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Applications are due April 18, 2025 at 3pm ET on grants.gov. Subapplicants must contact their state, territory, or Tribal application agency to determine internal deadlines. View the fact sheet for this grant here.

Funding Opportunity: $100 Million Available from NOAA-NMFS

NOAA is seeking proposals for transformational projects that will restore coastal habitat and strengthen community resilience under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. NOAA will accept proposals with a federal funding request of between $750,000 and $10 million for the entire award. Typical funding is anticipated to range from $4 million to $6 million. Applications are due by April 16, 2025. Learn more here.

Funding Opportunity: $20 Million Available for the Final Opportunity under BIL NMFS Funding

NOAA will support capacity building and restoration activities that benefit tribes and underserved communities and enhance their resilience to climate change. NOAA will accept proposals with a federal funding request of between $75,000 and $2 million for the entire award. We anticipate typical funding to range from $250,000 to $1 million. Applications are due by May 12, 2025. Learn more here.