Dear Georgia Congressional Delegation:
We, the undersigned constituents from Georgia, are writing to urge your support for federal funding for the Sea Grant Program in fiscal year (FY) 2026. Sea Grant is funded in the Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) appropriations bill and is in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Operations, Research, and Facilities (ORF) Account within the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR).
As one of the 34 Sea Grant programs, each year Georgia receives a portion of the annual appropriation to Sea Grant. The Georgia Sea Grant Program partners with local, state, regional, and national organizations to meet the legally required match of $1 dollar for every $2 federal dollars, which increases the impact of every federal dollar. We benefit from this, as this money is invested in Sea Grant staff and their work in communities right here in the state.
This includes:
- Advancing sustainable fisheries and aquaculture by working with coastal managers, commercial seafood operators, and academic and legal experts to establish sustainable aquaculture operations, cultivate the seafood industry workforce, and market local products.
- Promoting sustainable tourism by collaborating with coastal companies to share best practices, address challenges, and strengthen regional collaboration that balance economic growth and environmental stewardship.
- Minimizing stormwater runoff, flooding and increasing community resilience by helping communities plan for coastal hazards and implement green infrastructure projects and nature-based solutions.
- Building resilience of military installations to coastal hazards by partnering with the U.S. Department of Defense and experts nationwide to incorporate nature-based solutions.
- Increasing environmental literacy and creating a skilled and innovative STEM workforce by offering a range of educational programs and professional development opportunities for K-12 students, college students, and adults.
- Developing solutions to pressing problems facing Georgia’s coast by sponsoring research that is conducted by academic and legal experts and students in close collaboration with Georgia residents and coastal management agencies.
As a result of Georgia Sea Grant’s activities from 2018-2023:
- 2,773 seafood industry professionals modified their practices using knowledge gained through fisheries sustainability and seafood safety activities.
- 160 communities adopted or implemented sustainable economic and environmental development practices.
- 6,990 resource managers implemented ecosystem-based approaches in the management of land, water and living resources.
- 398 acres of coastal habitat were protected, enhanced or restored.
- 161,877 individuals and 37,473 pre-K - 12 students were engaged through education efforts.
- 347 college students were provided with workforce development opportunities.
As constituents and beneficiaries of the Georgia Sea Grant Program, we cannot overstate the value Sea Grant brings to our state. In addition, coastal communities around the country are protected and supported thanks to the Sea Grant national network’s important activities around resilient communities and economies, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, healthy coastal ecosystems, environmental literacy, and workforce development. I respectfully request you support funding the Sea Grant Program in FY 2026 appropriations.
Thank you for your consideration, and please reach out if we can be of further assistance.
Respectfully,
